Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): March 21, 2011
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Michigan   000-22025   94-3096597
         
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, P.O.
Box 376, Ann Arbor, Michigan
  48106
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (734) 930-5555
Not Applicable
Former name or former address, if changed since last report
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Item 5.03. Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 8.01. Other Events
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
SIGNATURES
EX-3.1
EX-10.1
EX-10.2
EX-10.3
EX-10.4
EX-99.1
EX-99.2


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Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Dr. Bartel’s Employment Agreement
     On March 22, 2011, Ronnda L. Bartel, PhD and Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Bartel Employment Agreement”). The Bartel Employment Agreement provides that Dr. Bartel will receive an initial annual base salary of $243,389 and her base salary shall be redetermined annually by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) in consultation with the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). Under the Bartel Employment Agreement, Dr. Bartel will also be eligible to receive cash incentive compensation as determined by the CEO in consultation with the Committee from time to time. Dr. Bartel’s target annual incentive compensation shall be 30% of her then-current base salary.
     In the event of her termination by the Company without Cause or by Dr. Bartel for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Bartel Employment Agreement), and subject to Dr. Bartel’s signing a general release of claims, the Company shall pay Dr. Bartel an amount equal to nine months of her then-current base salary in nine substantially equal monthly installments. Additionally, all stock options and other stock-based awards which would have vested had Dr. Bartel remained employed for an additional nine months following the date of termination shall become exercisable as of the date of termination. Dr. Bartel would also be entitled to continued participation in the Company’s group health, dental and vision programs for nine months following the date of termination.
     In the event of her termination by the Company without Cause or by Dr. Bartel for Good Reason within twelve months following a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Bartel Employment Agreement), and subject to Dr. Bartel’s signing a general release of claims, the Company shall pay to Dr. Bartel a lump-sum cash payment in an amount equal to twelve months of her then-current base salary (or her base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, if higher). Additionally and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable option agreement or stock-based award agreement, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by Dr. Bartel shall immediately accelerate and become exercisable as of the termination date. Dr. Bartel would also be entitled to continued participation in the Company’s group health, dental and vision programs for twelve months following the date of termination.
     If any payments to Dr. Bartel, calculated in a manner consistent with Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, she will receive either the entire benefit or reduced payments, which alternative will be determined by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company.
     In addition, during her employment and after termination of the Bartel Employment Agreement, Dr. Bartel has agreed to keep the Company’s confidential information in confidence and trust and has agreed not to use or disclose such confidential information without the Company’s written consent except as necessary in the ordinary course of performing her duties to the Company. During the term of the Bartel Employment Agreement and for a period of twelve months thereafter Dr. Bartel also agrees not to compete with the Company and not to solicit employees, customers or suppliers of the Company.
     The Bartel Employment Agreement contains other customary terms and conditions. The foregoing description of the Bartel Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual Bartel Employment Agreement which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Dr. Watling’s Employment Agreement
     On March 22, 2011, Sharon Watling, PharmD and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Watling Employment Agreement”). The Watling Employment Agreement provides that Dr. Watling will receive an initial annual base salary of $190,000 and her base salary shall be redetermined annually by the Company’s CEO in consultation with the Compensation Committee. Under the Watling Employment Agreement, Dr. Watling will also be eligible to receive cash incentive compensation as determined by the CEO in consultation with the Committee from time to time. Dr. Watling’s target annual incentive compensation shall be 30% of her then-current base salary.

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     In the event of her termination by the Company without Cause or by Dr. Watling for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Watling Employment Agreement), and subject to Dr. Watling’s signing a general release of claims, the Company shall pay Dr. Watling an amount equal to nine months of her then-current base salary in nine substantially equal monthly installments. Additionally, all stock options and other stock-based awards which would have vested had Dr. Watling remained employed for an additional nine months following the date of termination shall become exercisable as of the date of termination. Dr. Watling would also be entitled to continued participation in the Company’s group health, dental and vision programs for nine months following the date of termination.
     In the event of her termination by the Company without Cause or by Dr. Watling for Good Reason within twelve months following a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Watling Employment Agreement), and subject to Dr. Watling’s signing a general release of claims, the Company shall pay to Dr. Watling a lump-sum cash payment in an amount equal to twelve months of her then-current base salary (or her base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, if higher). Additionally and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable option agreement or stock-based award agreement, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by Dr. Watling shall immediately accelerate and become exercisable as of the termination date. Dr. Watling would also be entitled to continued participation in the Company’s group health, dental and vision programs for twelve months following the date of termination.
     If any payments to Dr. Watling, calculated in a manner consistent with Section 280G of the Code, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, she will receive either the entire benefit or reduced payments, which alternative will be determined by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company.
     In addition, during her employment and after termination of the Watling Employment Agreement, Dr. Watling has agreed to keep the Company’s confidential information in confidence and trust and has agreed not to use or disclose such confidential information without the Company’s written consent except as necessary in the ordinary course of performing her duties to the Company. During the term of the Watling Employment Agreement and for a period of twelve months thereafter Dr. Watling also agrees not to compete with the Company and not to solicit employees, customers or suppliers of the Company.
     The Watling Employment Agreement contains other customary terms and conditions. The foregoing description of the Watling Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual Watling Employment Agreement which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Approval of Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan
     On March 21, 2011, the Board of Directors approved the Company’s Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (the “Bonus Plan”). The Bonus Plan provides that the Compensation Committee may select certain key executives to be eligible to receive bonuses under the Bonus Plan, which would be based upon the attainment of performance targets which are established by the Compensation Committee. The Company may terminate the Bonus Plan at any time in its sole discretion. The foregoing description of the Bonus Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual Bonus Plan which is attached as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Termination of Employee Compensation Guidelines
     In connection with their approval of the Bonus Plan, on March 21, 2011, the Board of Directors terminated the Company’s Employee Compensation Guidelines, as amended.

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Item 5.03. Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
     At its Special Meeting of Stockholders held on March 21, 2011, the stockholders of the Company voted to approve an amendment to the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles”), to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for issuance thereunder from 62,500,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares. The amendment to the Articles is filed as Exhibit 3.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
     At its Special Meeting of Stockholders held on March 21, 2011, the stockholders of the Company voted on the following matters, which are described in detail in the Company’s Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 15, 2011: (i) to approve an amendment to the Articles to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for issuance thereunder from 62,500,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares (“Proposal 1”); and to approve an amendment to the Company’s 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) to increase the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan by 3,900,000 shares from 3,250,000 shares to 7,150,000 shares (“Proposal 2”). The foregoing descriptions of the amendment to the Articles and the amendment to the Incentive Plan do not purport to be complete and each is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual amendment to the Articles and the actual amendment to the Incentive Plan, which are attached as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
     The Company’s stockholders approved the amendment to the Articles, as recommended by the Company’s Board of Directors in Proposal 1. The Company’s stockholders voted for Proposal 1 as follows: 19,447,770 shares were voted for the approval of the amendment to the Company’s Articles, 9,059,417 shares voted against and 213,359 shares abstained from voting.
     The Company’s stockholders approved the amendment to the Company’s Incentive Plan, as recommended by the Company’s Board of Directors in Proposal 2. The Company’s stockholders voted for Proposal 2 as follows: 3,504,628 shares were voted for the approval of the amendment to the Company’s Incentive Plan, 2,820,840 shares voted against and 111,797 shares abstained from voting. There were 22,283,281 broker non-votes.
     On March 21, 2011, the Company issued a press release announcing the approval of Proposal 1 and Proposal 2 at the Special Meeting. A copy of the press release, dated March 21, 2011, is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
2011 Annual Meeting Date
     On March 25, 2011, the Company issued a press release announcing that it currently plans to hold its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2011 Annual Meeting”) at 8:30 a.m., local time, on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Lobby K, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105. Stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 11, 2011, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2011 Annual Meeting. A copy of the press release, dated March 25, 2011, is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.2.
Stockholder Proposal and Nomination Deadline
     The 2011 Annual Meeting date represents a change of more than 30 days from the anniversary of the Company’s 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. As a result, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has set a new deadline for the receipt of any stockholder proposals submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials for the 2011 Annual Meeting. The new deadline for the submission of such stockholder proposals is the close of business on Friday, April 8, 2011. Such proposals should be delivered to: Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, P.O. Box 376, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48106, Attention: Secretary. The Company recommends that such proposals be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. Such proposals will also need to comply with the rules of the SEC regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in the Company’s proxy materials, and may be omitted if not in compliance with applicable requirements.

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     Under the Company’s current by-laws, proposals of business and nominations for directors other than those to be included in the Company’s proxy materials following the procedures described in Rule 14a-8 may be made by stockholders if notice is timely given and if the notice contains the information required by the Company’s by-laws. To be timely, a notice with respect to the 2011 Annual Meeting must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company no later than the close of business on Friday, April 8, 2011. Such proposals or nominations should be delivered to: Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, P.O. Box 376, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48106, Attention: Secretary.
     The description of the press release set forth herein does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
      (d) Exhibits.
  3.1   Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation.
 
  10.1   Employment Agreement with Ronnda L. Bartel, PhD, dated March 22, 2011.
 
  10.2   Employment Agreement with Sharon Watling, PharmD, dated March 22, 2011.
 
  10.3   Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan.
 
  10.4   Amendment to the 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan, dated March 21, 2011.
 
  99.1   Press Release, dated March 21, 2011.
 
  99.2   Press Release, dated March 25, 2011.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
 
 
Date: March 25, 2011  By:   /s/ TIMOTHY M. MAYLEBEN    
    Name:   Timothy Mayleben   
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President   
 

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Exhibit 3.1
BCS/CD-515(Rev. 08/10)
                 
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, LABOR & ECONOMIC GROWTH
BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES
Date Received

MAR 23 2011
              FILED

MAR 23 2011
 
  This document is effective on the date filed, unless a subsequent effective date within 90 days after received date is stated in the document.  
 
   
Name
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
  Administrator
Address
Domino’s Farms, Lobby K, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
  BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES
City
Ann Arbor
  State
Michigan
ZIP Code
48105
  EFFECTIVE DATE:

Document will be returned to the name and address you enter above.
If left blank, document will be returned to the registered office.
   
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
For use by Domestic Profit and Nonprofit Corporations

(Please read information and instructions on the last page)
Pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972, (profit corporations), or Act 162, Public Acts of 1982 (nonprofit corporations), the undersigned corporation executes the following Certificate:

1.   The present name of the corporation is:
 
    Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
 

2.
 
The identification number assigned by the Bureau is:                                                   529-456
 

3.   Article            III            of the Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read as follows:
The total authorized shares:
Common Shares 150,000,000
Preferred Shares 5,000,000
A statement of all or any of the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class is as follows:

See Rider attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Effective at 9:00 a.m. EST, on February 18, 2010, every eight outstanding shares of Common Stock will be combined into and automatically become one share of outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation. The Corporation will not issue fractional shares on account of the foregoing reverse stock split; all shares that are held by a shareholder as of the effective date hereof shall be aggregated and each fractional share resulting from the reverse stock split after giving effect to such aggregation shall be cancelled. In lieu of any interest in a fractional share to which a shareholder would otherwise be entitled as a result of such reverse stock split, such shareholder will be paid a cash amount for such fractional shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a) the fraction to which the shareholder would otherwise be entitled by (b) the per share closing price of the Corporation’s Common Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, as such price is reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market.





 

  COMPLETE ONLY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

4.    Profit or Nonprofit Corporations: For amendments adopted by unanimous consent of incorporators before the first meeting of the board of directors or trustees.
The foregoing amendment to the Articles of Incorporation was duly adopted on the ______________ day of
______________ , __________ , in accordance with the provisions of the Act by the unanimous consent of the incorporator(s) before the first meeting of the Board of Directors or Trustees.
Signed this __________ day of ______________ , __________
     
     
(Signature)   (Signature)
     
     
(Type or Print Name)   (Type or Print Name)
     
     
(Signature)   (Signature)
     
     
(Type or Print Name)   (Type or Print Name)

5.    Profit Corporation Only: Shareholder or Board Approval
The foregoing amendment to the Articles of Incorporation proposed by the board was duly adopted on the
               21st                day of                March                 ,           2011           , by the: (check one of the following)
  x   shareholders at a meeting in accordance with Section 611(3) of the Act.
 
  c   written consent of the shareholders having not less than the minimum number of votes required by statute in accordance with Section 407(1) of the Act. Written notice to shareholders who have not consented in writing has been given. (Note: Written consent by less than all of the shareholders is permitted only if such provision appears in the Articles of Incorporation.)
 
  c   written consent of all the shareholders entitled to vote in accordance with Section 407(2) of the Act.
 
  c   board of a profit corporation pursuant to section 611(2) of the Act.

Profit Corporations and Professional Service Corporations
Signed this 22 day of           March           ,           2011          
     
By
  /s/ Timothy Mayleben
 
   
 
  (Signature of an authorized officer or agent)
 
   
Timothy Mayleben, President & CEO
 
(Type or Print Name)
      


 

RIDER TO ARTICLE III
PART A: COMMON STOCK
         Section 1. Voting Rights . One Vote Per Share . The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share so held with respect to all matters voted on by the holders of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation.
         Section 2. Liquidation Rights . Subject to preferences applicable to any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, all distributions made or funds paid to the holders of Common Stock upon the occurrence of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation shall be made on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock held by each of them. A consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another corporation or entity shall be regarded as a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section 2 unless such consolidation or merger is not intended to effect a change in the ownership or control of the Corporation or of its assets and is not intended to alter materially the business or assets of the Corporation, including, by way of example and without limiting the generally of the foregoing: (i) a consolidation or merger which merely changes the identity, form or place of organization of the Corporation, or which is between or among the Corporation and any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries, or (ii) following such merger or consolidation, shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to such event own not less than 51% of the voting power of such corporation immediately after such merger or consolidation on a pro rata basis.
         Section 3. Dividends . Dividends may be paid on the Common Stock as and when declared by the Board of Directors, subject to preferences applicable to any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.
PART B. PREFERRED STOCK
        The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby authorized, within the limitations and restrictions stated in these Restated Articles of Incorporation, to fix or alter the dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), the redemption price or prices, and the liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, and the number of shares constituting any such series and the designation thereof, or any of them, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
          This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of the 22nd day of March, 2011, between Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Company”), and Ronnda L. Bartel (the “Executive”).
          WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and the Executive desires to be employed by the Company on the terms contained herein.
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
          1. Position and Duties . The Executive shall serve as the Chief Scientific Officer of the Company and shall have such powers and duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”) or other authorized executive, provided that such duties are consistent with the Executive’s position or other positions that she may hold from time to time. The Executive shall devote her full working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may engage in religious, charitable or other community activities as long as such services and activities are disclosed to the Board and do not materially interfere with the Executive’s performance of her duties to the Company as provided in this Agreement.
          2. Compensation and Related Matters .
                    (a)  Base Salary . The Executive’s initial annual base salary shall be $243,389. The Executive’s base salary shall be redetermined annually by the CEO in consultation with the Company’s Compensation Committee. The base salary in effect at any given time is referred to herein as “Base Salary.” The Base Salary shall be payable in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s usual payroll practices for senior executives.
                    (b)  Incentive Compensation . The Executive shall be eligible to receive cash incentive compensation as determined by the CEO in consultation with the Company’s Compensation Committee from time to time. The Executive’s target annual incentive compensation shall be thirty percent (30%) of her Base Salary. To be eligible for an incentive compensation payment, the Executive must be employed by the Company on the day such incentive compensation is paid.
                    (c)  Options . From time to time and at the discretion of management and the Board of Directors, the Company will grant to the Executive options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the effective date of grant. Such options will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2009 Stock Option Plan, as may be amended and/or restated from time to time, or such other similar equity plan and form of stock option agreement, in each case duly adopted by the Company, and such options will be subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

 


 

                    (d)  Expenses . The Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in performing services hereunder, in accordance with the policies and procedures then in effect and established by the Company for its senior executive officers.
                    (e)  Other Benefits . The Executive shall be entitled to continue to participate in or receive benefits under all of the Company’s Employee Benefit Plans in effect on the date hereof, or under plans or arrangements that provide the Executive with benefits at least substantially equivalent to those provided under such Employee Benefit Plans. As used herein, the term “Employee Benefit Plans” includes, without limitation, each pension and retirement plan; supplemental pension, retirement and deferred compensation plan; savings and profit-sharing plan; stock ownership plan; stock purchase plan; stock option plan; life insurance plan; medical insurance plan; disability plan; and health and accident plan or arrangement established and maintained by the Company on the date hereof for employees of the same status within the hierarchy of the Company. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under any employee benefit plan or arrangement which may, in the future, be made available by the Company to its executives and key management employees, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plan or arrangement. Any payments or benefits payable to the Executive under a plan or arrangement referred to in this Section 2(d) in respect of any calendar year during which the Executive is employed by the Company for less than the whole of such year shall, unless otherwise provided in the applicable plan or arrangement, be prorated in accordance with the number of days in such calendar year during which she is so employed. Should any such payments or benefits accrue on a fiscal (rather than calendar) year, then the proration in the preceding sentence shall be on the basis of a fiscal year rather than calendar year.
                    (f)  Vacations . The Executive shall be entitled to accrue up to four (4) weeks paid vacation days in each year, which shall be accrued ratably. The Executive shall also be entitled to all paid holidays given by the Company to its executives.
          3. Termination . The Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated without any breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances:
                    (a)  Death . The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon her death.
                    (b)  Disability . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment if she is disabled and unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of 180 days (which need not be consecutive) in any 12-month period. If any question shall arise as to whether during any period the Executive is disabled so as to be unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions with or without reasonable accommodation, the Executive may, and at the request of the Company shall, submit to the Company a certification in reasonable detail by a physician selected by the Company to whom the Executive or the Executive’s guardian has no reasonable objection as to whether the Executive is so disabled or how long such disability is expected to continue, and such certification shall for the purposes of this Agreement be conclusive of the issue. The

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Executive shall cooperate with any reasonable request of the physician in connection with such certification. If such question shall arise and the Executive shall fail to submit such certification, the Company’s determination of such issue shall be binding on the Executive. Nothing in this Section 3(b) shall be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under existing law including, without limitation, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq . and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.
                    (c)  Termination by Company for Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause by a vote of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (i) conduct by the Executive constituting a material act of misconduct in connection with the performance of her duties, including, without limitation, misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates other than the occasional, customary and de minimis use of Company property for personal purposes; (ii) the commission by the Executive of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud, or any conduct by the Executive that would reasonably be expected to result in material injury or reputational harm to the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates if she were retained in her position; (iii) continued non-performance by the Executive of her duties hereunder (other than by reason of the Executive’s physical or mental illness, incapacity or disability) which has continued for more than 15 days following written notice of such non-performance from the CEO; (iv) a breach by the Executive of any of the provisions contained in Section 7 of this Agreement; (v) a material violation by the Executive of the Company’s written employment policies, or (vi) failure to cooperate with a bona fide internal investigation or an investigation by regulatory or law enforcement authorities, after being instructed by the Company to cooperate, or the willful destruction or failure to preserve documents or other materials known to be relevant to such investigation or the inducement of others to fail to cooperate or to produce documents or other materials in connection with such investigation.
                    (d)  Termination Without Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time without Cause. Any termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement which does not constitute a termination for Cause under Section 3(c) and does not result from the death or disability of the Executive under Section 3(a) or (b) shall be deemed a termination without Cause.
                    (e)  Termination by the Executive . The Executive may terminate her employment hereunder at any time for any reason, including but not limited to Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean that the Executive has complied with the “Good Reason Process” (hereinafter defined) following the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a material diminution in the Executive’s responsibilities, authority or duties; (ii) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary except for across-the-board salary reductions based on the Company’s financial performance similarly affecting all or substantially all senior management employees of the Company; (iii) a material change in the geographic location of the Company’s offices from its present location; or (iv) the material breach of this Agreement by the Company. “Good Reason Process” shall mean that (i) the Executive reasonably determines in good faith that a “Good Reason” condition has occurred; (ii) the Executive notifies the Company in writing of the first occurrence of the Good Reason condition within 15 days of the first occurrence of such condition; (iii) the Executive cooperates

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in good faith with the Company’s efforts, for a period not less than 15 days following such notice (the “Cure Period”), to remedy the condition; (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist; and (v) the Executive terminates her employment within 15 days after the end of the Cure Period. If the Company cures the Good Reason condition during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have occurred.
                    (f)  Notice of Termination . Except for termination as specified in Section 3(a), any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or any such termination by the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon.
                    (g)  Date of Termination . “Date of Termination” shall mean: (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by her death, the date of her death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 3(b) or by the Company for Cause under Section 3(c), the date on which Notice of Termination is given; (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under Section 3(d), 30 days after the date on which a Notice of Termination is given; (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive under Section 3(e) without Good Reason, 30 days after the date on which a Notice of Termination is given, and (v) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive under Section 3(e) with Good Reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given after the end of the Cure Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company, the Company may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and such acceleration shall not result in a termination by the Company for purposes of this Agreement.
          4. Compensation Upon Termination .
                    (a)  Termination Generally . If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive (or to her authorized representative or estate) any earned but unpaid base salary, incentive compensation earned but not yet paid, unpaid expense reimbursements, accrued but unused vacation and any vested benefits the Executive may have under any employee benefit plan of the Company (the “Accrued Benefit”) on or before the time required by law but in no event more than 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination.
                    (b)  Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause as provided in Section 3(d), or the Executive terminates her employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then the Company shall, through the Date of Termination, pay the Executive her Accrued Benefit. In addition:
                     (i) subject to the Executive signing a general release of claims in favor of the Company and related persons and entities in a form and manner satisfactory to the Company (the “Release”) within the 21-day period following the Date of Termination and the expiration of the seven-day revocation period for the Release, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to nine (9) months of the Executive’s

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Base Salary (the “Severance Amount”). The Severance Amount shall be paid out in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice over [nine (9) months], beginning on the first payroll date that occurs 30 days after the Date of Termination. Solely for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), each installment payment is considered a separate payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive breaches any of the provisions contained in Section 7 of this Agreement, all payments of the Severance Amount shall immediately cease; and
                     (ii) upon the Date of Termination, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by the Executive in which the Executive would have vested if she had remained employed for an additional nine (9) months following the Date of Termination shall vest and become exercisable or nonforfeitable as of the Date of Termination; and
                     (iii) subject to the Executive’s copayment of premium amounts at the active employees’ rate, the Executive may continue to participate in the Company’s group health, dental and vision program for nine (9) months; provided, however, that the continuation of health benefits under this Section shall reduce and count against the Executive’s rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”).
          5. Change in Control Payment . The provisions of this Section 5 set forth certain terms of an agreement reached between the Executive and the Company regarding the Executive’s rights and obligations upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company. These provisions are intended to assure and encourage in advance the Executive’s continued attention and dedication to her assigned duties and her objectivity during the pendency and after the occurrence of any such event. These provisions shall apply in lieu of, and expressly supersede, the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding severance pay and benefits upon a termination of employment, if such termination of employment occurs within twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the first event constituting a Change in Control. These provisions shall terminate and be of no further force or effect beginning twelve (12) months after the occurrence of a Change in Control.
                    (a)  Change in Control . If within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause as provided in Section 3(d) or the Executive terminates her employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then,
                    (i) subject to the signing of the Release by the Executive within 30 days after the Date of Termination and the expiration of the seven-day revocation period for the Release, the Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum in cash in an amount equal to twelve (12) months of the Executive’s current Base Salary (or the Executive’s Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, if higher). Such payment shall be paid on the first payroll date that occurs 30 days after the Date of Termination; and

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                    (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable option agreement or stock-based award agreement, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by the Executive shall immediately accelerate and become fully exercisable or nonforfeitable as of the Date of Termination; and
                    (iii) subject to the Executive’s copayment of premium amounts at the active employees’ rate, the Executive may continue to participate in the Company’s group health, dental and vision program for twelve (12) months; provided, however, that the continuation of health benefits under this Section shall reduce and count against the Executive’s rights under COBRA.
                    (b)  Additional Limitation .
                    (i) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the amount of any compensation, payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, calculated in a manner consistent with Section 280G of the Code and the applicable regulations thereunder (the “Severance Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, the following provisions shall apply:
                    (A) If the Severance Payments, reduced by the sum of (1) the Excise Tax and (2) the total of the Federal, state, and local income and employment taxes payable by the Executive on the amount of the Severance Payments which are in excess of the Threshold Amount, are greater than or equal to the Threshold Amount, the Executive shall be entitled to the full benefits payable under this Agreement.
                    (B) If the Threshold Amount is less than (x) the Severance Payments, but greater than (y) the Severance Payments reduced by the sum of (1) the Excise Tax and (2) the total of the Federal, state, and local income and employment taxes on the amount of the Severance Payments which are in excess of the Threshold Amount, then the Severance Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the extent necessary so that the sum of all Severance Payments shall not exceed the Threshold Amount. In such event, the Severance Payments shall be reduced in the following order: (1) cash payments not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (2) cash payments subject to Section 409A of the Code; (3) equity-based payments and acceleration; and (4) non-cash forms of benefits. To the extent any payment is to be made over time (e.g., in installments, etc.), then the payments shall be reduced in reverse chronological order.
                    (ii) For the purposes of this Section 5(b), “Threshold Amount” shall mean three times the Executive’s “base amount” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder less one dollar ($1.00); and “Excise Tax” shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, and any interest or penalties incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax.

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                    (iii) The determination as to which of the alternative provisions of Section 5(b)(i) shall apply to the Executive shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the Date of Termination, if applicable, or at such earlier time as is reasonably requested by the Company or the Executive. For purposes of determining which of the alternative provisions of Section 5(b)(i) shall apply, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation applicable to individuals for the calendar year in which the determination is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of individual taxation in the state and locality of the Executive’s residence on the Date of Termination, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.
                    (b)  Definitions . For purposes of this Section 5, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
          “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following:
                    (i) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan or trust of the Company or any of its subsidiaries), together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act) of such person, shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities having the right to vote in an election of the Board (“Voting Securities”) (in such case other than as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company); or
                    (ii) the consummation of (A) any consolidation or merger of the Company where the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the consolidation or merger, would not, immediately after the consolidation or merger, beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, shares representing in the aggregate more than 50 percent of the voting shares of the Company issuing cash or securities in the consolidation or merger (or of its ultimate parent corporation, if any), or (B) any sale or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions contemplated or arranged by any party as a single plan) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
          Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i) solely as the result of an acquisition of securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of Voting Securities outstanding, increases the proportionate number of Voting Securities beneficially owned by any person to 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding Voting

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Securities; provided, however, that if any person referred to in this sentence shall thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Securities (other than pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction or as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company) and immediately thereafter beneficially owns 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding Voting Securities, then a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i).
          6. Section 409A .
                    (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of the Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the Company determines that the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then to the extent any payment or benefit that the Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of the Executive’s separation from service would be considered deferred compensation subject to the 20 percent additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such payment shall not be payable and such benefit shall not be provided until the date that is the earlier of (A) six months and one day after the Executive’s separation from service, or (B) the Executive’s death. If any such delayed cash payment is otherwise payable on an installment basis, the first payment shall include a catch-up payment covering amounts that would otherwise have been paid during the six-month period but for the application of this provision, and the balance of the installments shall be payable in accordance with their original schedule.
                    (b) All in-kind benefits provided and expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement shall be provided by the Company or incurred by the Executive during the time periods set forth in this Agreement. All reimbursements shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of in-kind benefits provided or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided or the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year. Such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
                    (c) To the extent that any payment or benefit described in this Agreement constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, and to the extent that such payment or benefit is payable upon the Executive’s termination of employment, then such payments or benefits shall be payable only upon the Executive’s “separation from service.” The determination of whether and when a separation from service has occurred shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).
                    (d) The parties intend that this Agreement will be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that all payments hereunder comply with Section 409A of the Code. The parties agree that this Agreement may be amended, as reasonably requested by either party, and as may be

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necessary to fully comply with Section 409A of the Code and all related rules and regulations in order to preserve the payments and benefits provided hereunder without additional cost to either party.
                    (e) The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or any other person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code but do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, such Section.
          7. Confidential Information, Noncompetition and Cooperation .
                    (a)  Confidential Information . As used in this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information belonging to the Company which is of value to the Company in the course of conducting its business and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage to the Company. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information, reports, and forecasts; inventions, improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets; know-how; designs, processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer lists; and business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities) which have been discussed or considered by the management of the Company. Confidential Information includes information developed by the Executive in the course of the Executive’s employment by the Company, as well as other information to which the Executive may have access in connection with the Executive’s employment. Confidential Information also includes the confidential information of others with which the Company has a business relationship. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include information in the public domain, unless due to breach of the Executive’s duties under Section 7(b).
                    (b)  Confidentiality . The Executive understands and agrees that the Executive’s employment creates a relationship of confidence and trust between the Executive and the Company with respect to all Confidential Information. At all times, both during the Executive’s employment with the Company and after its termination, the Executive will keep in confidence and trust all such Confidential Information, and will not use or disclose any such Confidential Information without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Executive’s duties to the Company.
                    (c)  Documents, Records, etc . All documents, records, data, apparatus, equipment and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Confidential Information, which are furnished to the Executive by the Company or are produced by the Executive in connection with the Executive’s employment will be and remain the sole property of the Company. The Executive will return to the Company all such materials and property as and when requested by the Company. In any event, the Executive will return all such materials and property immediately upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason. The Executive will not retain with the Executive any such material or property or any copies thereof after such termination.
                    (d)  Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation . During the Executive’s employment with the Company and for twelve (12) months thereafter, regardless of the reason for the

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termination, the Executive (i) will not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, shareholder, consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer or otherwise, engage, participate, assist or invest in any Competing Business (as hereinafter defined); (ii) will refrain from directly or indirectly employing, attempting to employ, recruiting or otherwise soliciting, inducing or influencing any person to leave employment with the Company (other than terminations of employment of subordinate employees undertaken in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company); and (iii) will refrain from soliciting or encouraging any customer or supplier to terminate or otherwise modify adversely its business relationship with the Company. The Executive understands that the restrictions set forth in this Section 7(d) are intended to protect the Company’s interest in its Confidential Information and established employee, customer and supplier relationships and goodwill, and agrees that such restrictions are reasonable and appropriate for this purpose. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Competing Business” shall mean an autologous or allogeneic cell therapy technology business focused on the development of therapies for the treatment of severe, chronic cardiovascular diseases conducted anywhere in the world which is competitive with the business which the Company or any of its affiliates at any time during the employment of the Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may own up to one percent (1%) of the outstanding stock of a publicly held corporation which constitutes or is affiliated with a Competing Business.
                    (e)  Third-Party Agreements and Rights . The Executive hereby confirms that the Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party which restricts in any way the Executive’s use or disclosure of information or the Executive’s engagement in any business. The Executive represents to the Company that the Executive’s execution of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company and the performance of the Executive’s proposed duties for the Company will not violate any obligations the Executive may have to any such previous employer or other party. In the Executive’s work for the Company, the Executive will not disclose or make use of any information in violation of any agreements with or rights of any such previous employer or other party, and the Executive will not bring to the premises of the Company any copies or other tangible embodiments of non-public information belonging to or obtained from any such previous employment or other party.
                    (f)  Litigation and Regulatory Cooperation . During and after the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company which relate to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the Company. The Executive’s full cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Company at mutually convenient times. During and after the Executive’s employment, the Executive also shall cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any investigation or review of any federal, state or local regulatory authority as any such investigation or review relates to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the Company. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Executive’s performance of obligations pursuant to this Section 7(f).

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                    (g)  Injunction . The Executive agrees that it would be difficult to measure any damages caused to the Company which might result from any breach by the Executive of the promises set forth in this Section 7, and that in any event money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that if the Executive breaches, or proposes to breach, any portion of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies that it may have, to an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief to restrain any such breach without showing or proving any actual damage to the Company.
     8.  Arbitration of Disputes . Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof or otherwise arising out of the Executive’s employment or the termination of that employment (including, without limitation, any claims of unlawful employment discrimination whether based on age or otherwise) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be settled by arbitration in any forum and form agreed upon by the parties or, in the absence of such an agreement, under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in Detroit, Michigan in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the AAA, including, but not limited to, the rules and procedures applicable to the selection of arbitrators. In the event that any person or entity other than the Executive or the Company may be a party with regard to any such controversy or claim, such controversy or claim shall be submitted to arbitration subject to such other person or entity’s agreement. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. This Section 8 shall be specifically enforceable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8 shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued through an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 8.
     9.  Consent to Jurisdiction . To the extent that any court action is permitted consistent with or to enforce Section 8 of this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the State of Michigan and the United States District Court for the District of Michigan. Accordingly, with respect to any such court action, the Executive (a) submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to service of process; and (c) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction or service of process.
     10.  Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements between the parties concerning such subject matter, including without limitation, the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between the Company and the Executive dated as of December 14, 2009.
     11.  Withholding . All payments made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement shall be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law.
     12.  Successor to the Executive . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs,

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distributees, devisees and legatees. In the event of the Executive’s death after her termination of employment but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due him under this Agreement, the Company shall continue such payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to her death (or to her estate, if the Executive fails to make such designation).
     13.  Enforceability . If any portion or provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any portion or provision of any section of this Agreement) shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
     14.  Survival . The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to effectuate the terms contained herein.
     15.  Waiver . No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.
     16.  Notices . Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention of the Board.
     17.  Amendment . This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Company.
     18.  Governing Law . This is a Michigan contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Michigan, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles of such State. With respect to any disputes concerning federal law, such disputes shall be determined in accordance with the law as it would be interpreted and applied by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
     19.  Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be taken to be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same document.
     20.  Successor to Company . The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no succession had taken

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place. Failure of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of any succession shall be a material breach of this Agreement.
     21.  Gender Neutral . Wherever used herein, a pronoun in the masculine gender shall be considered as including the feminine gender unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective on the date and year first above written.
         
  AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
 
  /s/ TIMOTHY M. MAYLEBEN    
  By: Tim M. Mayleben   
  Its: CEO and President   
 
  EXECUTIVE
 
 
  /s/ RONNDA L. BARTEL    
  Ronnda L. Bartel   
     
 

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Exhibit 10.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
     This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of the 22nd day of March, 2011, between Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., a Michigan corporation (the “Company”), and Sharon Watling (the “Executive”).
     WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and the Executive desires to be employed by the Company on the terms contained herein.
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
     1.  Position and Duties . The Executive shall serve as the Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory of the Company, and shall have such other powers and duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”) or other authorized executive, provided that such duties are consistent with the Executive’s position or other positions that she may hold from time to time. The Executive shall devote her full working time and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may engage in religious, charitable or other community activities as long as such services and activities are disclosed to the Board and do not materially interfere with the Executive’s performance of her duties to the Company as provided in this Agreement.
     2.  Compensation and Related Matters .
          (a) Base Salary . The Executive’s initial annual base salary shall be $190,000. The Executive’s base salary shall be redetermined annually by the CEO in consultation with the Company’s Compensation Committee. The base salary in effect at any given time is referred to herein as “Base Salary.” The Base Salary shall be payable in a manner that is consistent with the Company’s usual payroll practices for senior executives.
          (b) Incentive Compensation . The Executive shall be eligible to receive cash incentive compensation as determined by the CEO in consultation with the Company’s Compensation Committee from time to time. The Executive’s target annual incentive compensation shall be thirty percent (30%) of her Base Salary. To be eligible for an incentive compensation payment, the Executive must be employed by the Company on the day such incentive compensation is paid.
          (c) Options . From time to time and at the discretion of management and the Board of Directors, the Company will grant to the Executive options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the effective date of grant. Such options will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2009 Stock Option Plan, as may be amended and/or restated from time to time, or such other similar equity plan and form of stock option agreement, in each case duly adopted by the Company, and such options will be subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

 


 

          (d) Expenses . The Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in performing services hereunder, in accordance with the policies and procedures then in effect and established by the Company for its senior executive officers.
          (e) Other Benefits . The Executive shall be entitled to continue to participate in or receive benefits under all of the Company’s Employee Benefit Plans in effect on the date hereof, or under plans or arrangements that provide the Executive with benefits at least substantially equivalent to those provided under such Employee Benefit Plans. As used herein, the term “Employee Benefit Plans” includes, without limitation, each pension and retirement plan; supplemental pension, retirement and deferred compensation plan; savings and profit-sharing plan; stock ownership plan; stock purchase plan; stock option plan; life insurance plan; medical insurance plan; disability plan; and health and accident plan or arrangement established and maintained by the Company on the date hereof for employees of the same status within the hierarchy of the Company. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under any employee benefit plan or arrangement which may, in the future, be made available by the Company to its executives and key management employees, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plan or arrangement. Any payments or benefits payable to the Executive under a plan or arrangement referred to in this Section 2(d) in respect of any calendar year during which the Executive is employed by the Company for less than the whole of such year shall, unless otherwise provided in the applicable plan or arrangement, be prorated in accordance with the number of days in such calendar year during which she is so employed. Should any such payments or benefits accrue on a fiscal (rather than calendar) year, then the proration in the preceding sentence shall be on the basis of a fiscal year rather than calendar year.
          (f) Vacations . The Executive shall be entitled to accrue up to three (3) weeks paid vacation days in each year, which shall be accrued ratably. The Executive shall also be entitled to all paid holidays given by the Company to its executives.
     3.  Termination . The Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated without any breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances:
          (a) Death . The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon her death.
          (b) Disability . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment if she is disabled and unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions under this Agreement with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of 180 days (which need not be consecutive) in any 12-month period. If any question shall arise as to whether during any period the Executive is disabled so as to be unable to perform the essential functions of the Executive’s then existing position or positions with or without reasonable accommodation, the Executive may, and at the request of the Company shall, submit to the Company a certification in reasonable detail by a physician selected by the Company to whom the Executive or the Executive’s guardian has no reasonable objection as to whether the Executive is so disabled or how long such disability is expected to continue, and such certification shall for the purposes of this Agreement be conclusive of the issue. The

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Executive shall cooperate with any reasonable request of the physician in connection with such certification. If such question shall arise and the Executive shall fail to submit such certification, the Company’s determination of such issue shall be binding on the Executive. Nothing in this Section 3(b) shall be construed to waive the Executive’s rights, if any, under existing law including, without limitation, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq . and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.
          (c) Termination by Company for Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause by a vote of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (i) conduct by the Executive constituting a material act of misconduct in connection with the performance of her duties, including, without limitation, misappropriation of funds or property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates other than the occasional, customary and de minimis use of Company property for personal purposes; (ii) the commission by the Executive of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, deceit, dishonesty or fraud, or any conduct by the Executive that would reasonably be expected to result in material injury or reputational harm to the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates if she were retained in her position; (iii) continued non-performance by the Executive of her duties hereunder (other than by reason of the Executive’s physical or mental illness, incapacity or disability) which has continued for more than 15 days following written notice of such non-performance from the CEO; (iv) a breach by the Executive of any of the provisions contained in Section 7 of this Agreement; (v) a material violation by the Executive of the Company’s written employment policies, or (vi) failure to cooperate with a bona fide internal investigation or an investigation by regulatory or law enforcement authorities, after being instructed by the Company to cooperate, or the willful destruction or failure to preserve documents or other materials known to be relevant to such investigation or the inducement of others to fail to cooperate or to produce documents or other materials in connection with such investigation.
          (d) Termination Without Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time without Cause. Any termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement which does not constitute a termination for Cause under Section 3(c) and does not result from the death or disability of the Executive under Section 3(a) or (b) shall be deemed a termination without Cause.
          (e) Termination by the Executive . The Executive may terminate her employment hereunder at any time for any reason, including but not limited to Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean that the Executive has complied with the “Good Reason Process” (hereinafter defined) following the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a material diminution in the Executive’s responsibilities, authority or duties; (ii) a material diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary except for across-the-board salary reductions based on the Company’s financial performance similarly affecting all or substantially all senior management employees of the Company; (iii) a material change in the geographic location of the Company’s offices from its present location; or (iv) the material breach of this Agreement by the Company. “Good Reason Process” shall mean that (i) the Executive reasonably determines in good faith that a “Good Reason” condition has occurred; (ii) the Executive notifies the Company in writing of the first occurrence of the Good Reason condition within 15 days of the first occurrence of such condition; (iii) the Executive cooperates

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in good faith with the Company’s efforts, for a period not less than 15 days following such notice (the “Cure Period”), to remedy the condition; (iv) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist; and (v) the Executive terminates her employment within 15 days after the end of the Cure Period. If the Company cures the Good Reason condition during the Cure Period, Good Reason shall be deemed not to have occurred.
          (f) Notice of Termination . Except for termination as specified in Section 3(a), any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or any such termination by the Executive shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon.
          (g) Date of Termination . “Date of Termination” shall mean: (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by her death, the date of her death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated on account of disability under Section 3(b) or by the Company for Cause under Section 3(c), the date on which Notice of Termination is given; (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company under Section 3(d), 30 days after the date on which a Notice of Termination is given; (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive under Section 3(e) without Good Reason, 30 days after the date on which a Notice of Termination is given, and (v) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive under Section 3(e) with Good Reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given after the end of the Cure Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Executive gives a Notice of Termination to the Company, the Company may unilaterally accelerate the Date of Termination and such acceleration shall not result in a termination by the Company for purposes of this Agreement.
     4.  Compensation Upon Termination .
          (a) Termination Generally . If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the Company shall pay or provide to the Executive (or to her authorized representative or estate) any earned but unpaid base salary, incentive compensation earned but not yet paid, unpaid expense reimbursements, accrued but unused vacation and any vested benefits the Executive may have under any employee benefit plan of the Company (the “Accrued Benefit”) on or before the time required by law but in no event more than 30 days after the Executive’s Date of Termination.
          (b) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause as provided in Section 3(d), or the Executive terminates her employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then the Company shall, through the Date of Termination, pay the Executive her Accrued Benefit. In addition:
          (i) subject to the Executive signing a general release of claims in favor of the Company and related persons and entities in a form and manner satisfactory to the Company (the “Release”) within the 21-day period following the Date of Termination and the expiration of the seven-day revocation period for the Release, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to nine (9) months of the Executive’s

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Base Salary (the “Severance Amount”). The Severance Amount shall be paid out in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice over nine (9) months, beginning on the first payroll date that occurs 30 days after the Date of Termination. Solely for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), each installment payment is considered a separate payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive breaches any of the provisions contained in Section 7 of this Agreement, all payments of the Severance Amount shall immediately cease; and
          (ii) upon the Date of Termination, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by the Executive in which the Executive would have vested if she had remained employed for an additional nine (9) months following the Date of Termination shall vest and become exercisable or nonforfeitable as of the Date of Termination; and
          (iii) subject to the Executive’s copayment of premium amounts at the active employees’ rate, the Executive may continue to participate in the Company’s group health, dental and vision program for nine (9) months; provided, however, that the continuation of health benefits under this Section shall reduce and count against the Executive’s rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”).
     5.  Change in Control Payment . The provisions of this Section 5 set forth certain terms of an agreement reached between the Executive and the Company regarding the Executive’s rights and obligations upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company. These provisions are intended to assure and encourage in advance the Executive’s continued attention and dedication to her assigned duties and her objectivity during the pendency and after the occurrence of any such event. These provisions shall apply in lieu of, and expressly supersede, the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding severance pay and benefits upon a termination of employment, if such termination of employment occurs within twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the first event constituting a Change in Control. These provisions shall terminate and be of no further force or effect beginning twelve (12) months after the occurrence of a Change in Control.
          (a) Change in Control . If within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause as provided in Section 3(d) or the Executive terminates her employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then,
          (i) subject to the signing of the Release by the Executive within 30 days after the Date of Termination and the expiration of the seven-day revocation period for the Release, the Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum in cash in an amount equal to twelve (12) months of the Executive’s current Base Salary (or the Executive’s Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, if higher). Such payment shall be paid on the first payroll date that occurs 30 days after the Date of Termination; and

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          (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any applicable option agreement or stock-based award agreement, all stock options and other stock-based awards held by the Executive shall immediately accelerate and become fully exercisable or nonforfeitable as of the Date of Termination; and
          (iii) subject to the Executive’s copayment of premium amounts at the active employees’ rate, the Executive may continue to participate in the Company’s group health, dental and vision program for twelve (12) months; provided, however, that the continuation of health benefits under this Section shall reduce and count against the Executive’s rights under COBRA.
          (b) Additional Limitation .
          (i) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the amount of any compensation, payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, calculated in a manner consistent with Section 280G of the Code and the applicable regulations thereunder (the “Severance Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, the following provisions shall apply:
          (A) If the Severance Payments, reduced by the sum of (1) the Excise Tax and (2) the total of the Federal, state, and local income and employment taxes payable by the Executive on the amount of the Severance Payments which are in excess of the Threshold Amount, are greater than or equal to the Threshold Amount, the Executive shall be entitled to the full benefits payable under this Agreement.
          (B) If the Threshold Amount is less than (x) the Severance Payments, but greater than (y) the Severance Payments reduced by the sum of (1) the Excise Tax and (2) the total of the Federal, state, and local income and employment taxes on the amount of the Severance Payments which are in excess of the Threshold Amount, then the Severance Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the extent necessary so that the sum of all Severance Payments shall not exceed the Threshold Amount. In such event, the Severance Payments shall be reduced in the following order: (1) cash payments not subject to Section 409A of the Code; (2) cash payments subject to Section 409A of the Code; (3) equity-based payments and acceleration; and (4) non-cash forms of benefits. To the extent any payment is to be made over time (e.g., in installments, etc.), then the payments shall be reduced in reverse chronological order.
          (ii) For the purposes of this Section 5(b), “Threshold Amount” shall mean three times the Executive’s “base amount” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder less one dollar ($1.00); and “Excise Tax” shall mean the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, and any interest or penalties incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax.

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          (iii) The determination as to which of the alternative provisions of Section 5(b)(i) shall apply to the Executive shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the Date of Termination, if applicable, or at such earlier time as is reasonably requested by the Company or the Executive. For purposes of determining which of the alternative provisions of Section 5(b)(i) shall apply, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation applicable to individuals for the calendar year in which the determination is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of individual taxation in the state and locality of the Executive’s residence on the Date of Termination, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.
          (b) Definitions . For purposes of this Section 5, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
     “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following:
          (i) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any trustee, fiduciary or other person or entity holding securities under any employee benefit plan or trust of the Company or any of its subsidiaries), together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act) of such person, shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities having the right to vote in an election of the Board (“Voting Securities”) (in such case other than as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company); or
          (ii) the consummation of (A) any consolidation or merger of the Company where the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the consolidation or merger, would not, immediately after the consolidation or merger, beneficially own (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, shares representing in the aggregate more than 50 percent of the voting shares of the Company issuing cash or securities in the consolidation or merger (or of its ultimate parent corporation, if any), or (B) any sale or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of transactions contemplated or arranged by any party as a single plan) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i) solely as the result of an acquisition of securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of Voting Securities outstanding, increases the proportionate number of Voting Securities beneficially owned by any person to 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding Voting

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Securities; provided, however, that if any person referred to in this sentence shall thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Securities (other than pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction or as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from the Company) and immediately thereafter beneficially owns 50 percent or more of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding Voting Securities, then a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (i).
     6.  Section 409A .
          (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of the Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the Company determines that the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then to the extent any payment or benefit that the Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of the Executive’s separation from service would be considered deferred compensation subject to the 20 percent additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A(a) of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such payment shall not be payable and such benefit shall not be provided until the date that is the earlier of (A) six months and one day after the Executive’s separation from service, or (B) the Executive’s death. If any such delayed cash payment is otherwise payable on an installment basis, the first payment shall include a catch-up payment covering amounts that would otherwise have been paid during the six-month period but for the application of this provision, and the balance of the installments shall be payable in accordance with their original schedule.
          (b) All in-kind benefits provided and expenses eligible for reimbursement under this Agreement shall be provided by the Company or incurred by the Executive during the time periods set forth in this Agreement. All reimbursements shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any reimbursement be paid after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of in-kind benefits provided or reimbursable expenses incurred in one taxable year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided or the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year. Such right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
          (c) To the extent that any payment or benefit described in this Agreement constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, and to the extent that such payment or benefit is payable upon the Executive’s termination of employment, then such payments or benefits shall be payable only upon the Executive’s “separation from service.” The determination of whether and when a separation from service has occurred shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).
          (d) The parties intend that this Agreement will be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A of the Code, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that all payments hereunder comply with Section 409A of the Code. The parties agree that this Agreement may be amended, as reasonably requested by either party, and as may be

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necessary to fully comply with Section 409A of the Code and all related rules and regulations in order to preserve the payments and benefits provided hereunder without additional cost to either party.
          (e) The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or any other person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code but do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, such Section.
     7.  Confidential Information, Noncompetition and Cooperation .
          (a) Confidential Information . As used in this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means information belonging to the Company which is of value to the Company in the course of conducting its business and the disclosure of which could result in a competitive or other disadvantage to the Company. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, financial information, reports, and forecasts; inventions, improvements and other intellectual property; trade secrets; know-how; designs, processes or formulae; software; market or sales information or plans; customer lists; and business plans, prospects and opportunities (such as possible acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or facilities) which have been discussed or considered by the management of the Company. Confidential Information includes information developed by the Executive in the course of the Executive’s employment by the Company, as well as other information to which the Executive may have access in connection with the Executive’s employment. Confidential Information also includes the confidential information of others with which the Company has a business relationship. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include information in the public domain, unless due to breach of the Executive’s duties under Section 7(b).
          (b) Confidentiality . The Executive understands and agrees that the Executive’s employment creates a relationship of confidence and trust between the Executive and the Company with respect to all Confidential Information. At all times, both during the Executive’s employment with the Company and after its termination, the Executive will keep in confidence and trust all such Confidential Information, and will not use or disclose any such Confidential Information without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing the Executive’s duties to the Company.
          (c) Documents, Records, etc . All documents, records, data, apparatus, equipment and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Confidential Information, which are furnished to the Executive by the Company or are produced by the Executive in connection with the Executive’s employment will be and remain the sole property of the Company. The Executive will return to the Company all such materials and property as and when requested by the Company. In any event, the Executive will return all such materials and property immediately upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason. The Executive will not retain with the Executive any such material or property or any copies thereof after such termination.
          (d) Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation . During the Executive’s employment with the Company and for twelve (12) months thereafter, regardless of the reason for the

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termination, the Executive (i) will not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, shareholder, consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer or otherwise, engage, participate, assist or invest in any Competing Business (as hereinafter defined); (ii) will refrain from directly or indirectly employing, attempting to employ, recruiting or otherwise soliciting, inducing or influencing any person to leave employment with the Company (other than terminations of employment of subordinate employees undertaken in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company); and (iii) will refrain from soliciting or encouraging any customer or supplier to terminate or otherwise modify adversely its business relationship with the Company. The Executive understands that the restrictions set forth in this Section 7(d) are intended to protect the Company’s interest in its Confidential Information and established employee, customer and supplier relationships and goodwill, and agrees that such restrictions are reasonable and appropriate for this purpose. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Competing Business” shall mean an autologous or allogeneic cell therapy technology business focused on the development of therapies for the treatment of severe, chronic cardiovascular diseases conducted anywhere in the world which is competitive with the business which the Company or any of its affiliates at any time during the employment of the Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may own up to one percent (1%) of the outstanding stock of a publicly held corporation which constitutes or is affiliated with a Competing Business.
          (e) Third-Party Agreements and Rights . The Executive hereby confirms that the Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party which restricts in any way the Executive’s use or disclosure of information or the Executive’s engagement in any business. The Executive represents to the Company that the Executive’s execution of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment with the Company and the performance of the Executive’s proposed duties for the Company will not violate any obligations the Executive may have to any such previous employer or other party. In the Executive’s work for the Company, the Executive will not disclose or make use of any information in violation of any agreements with or rights of any such previous employer or other party, and the Executive will not bring to the premises of the Company any copies or other tangible embodiments of non-public information belonging to or obtained from any such previous employment or other party.
          (f) Litigation and Regulatory Cooperation . During and after the Executive’s employment, the Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or which may be brought in the future against or on behalf of the Company which relate to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the Company. The Executive’s full cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Company at mutually convenient times. During and after the Executive’s employment, the Executive also shall cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any investigation or review of any federal, state or local regulatory authority as any such investigation or review relates to events or occurrences that transpired while the Executive was employed by the Company. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Executive’s performance of obligations pursuant to this Section 7(f).

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          (g) Injunction . The Executive agrees that it would be difficult to measure any damages caused to the Company which might result from any breach by the Executive of the promises set forth in this Section 7, and that in any event money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that if the Executive breaches, or proposes to breach, any portion of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies that it may have, to an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief to restrain any such breach without showing or proving any actual damage to the Company.
     8.  Arbitration of Disputes . Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof or otherwise arising out of the Executive’s employment or the termination of that employment (including, without limitation, any claims of unlawful employment discrimination whether based on age or otherwise) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be settled by arbitration in any forum and form agreed upon by the parties or, in the absence of such an agreement, under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in Detroit, Michigan in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the AAA, including, but not limited to, the rules and procedures applicable to the selection of arbitrators. In the event that any person or entity other than the Executive or the Company may be a party with regard to any such controversy or claim, such controversy or claim shall be submitted to arbitration subject to such other person or entity’s agreement. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. This Section 8 shall be specifically enforceable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8 shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued through an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 8.
     9.  Consent to Jurisdiction . To the extent that any court action is permitted consistent with or to enforce Section 8 of this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the State of Michigan and the United States District Court for the District of Michigan. Accordingly, with respect to any such court action, the Executive (a) submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts; (b) consents to service of process; and (c) waives any other requirement (whether imposed by statute, rule of court, or otherwise) with respect to personal jurisdiction or service of process.
     10.  Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements between the parties concerning such subject matter, including without limitation the Employment Agreement by and between the Company and the Executive dated as of January 14, 2010.
     11.  Withholding . All payments made by the Company to the Executive under this Agreement shall be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable law.
     12.  Successor to the Executive . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal representatives, executors, administrators, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. In the event of the Executive’s death after her termination of

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employment but prior to the completion by the Company of all payments due him under this Agreement, the Company shall continue such payments to the Executive’s beneficiary designated in writing to the Company prior to her death (or to her estate, if the Executive fails to make such designation).
     13.  Enforceability . If any portion or provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, any portion or provision of any section of this Agreement) shall to any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
     14.  Survival . The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and/or the termination of the Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to effectuate the terms contained herein.
     15.  Waiver . No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.
     16.  Notices . Any notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered in person or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Company or, in the case of the Company, at its main offices, attention of the Board.
     17.  Amendment . This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument signed by the Executive and by a duly authorized representative of the Company.
     18.  Governing Law . This is a Michigan contract and shall be construed under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Michigan, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles of such State. With respect to any disputes concerning federal law, such disputes shall be determined in accordance with the law as it would be interpreted and applied by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
     19.  Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be taken to be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same document.
     20.  Successor to Company . The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the effectiveness of any succession shall be a material breach of this Agreement.

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     21.  Gender Neutral . Wherever used herein, a pronoun in the masculine gender shall be considered as including the feminine gender unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective on the date and year first above written.
             
    AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
           
    /s/ TIMOTHY M. MAYLEBEN
         
 
  By:   Tim M. Mayleben    
 
  Its:   CEO and President    
 
           
    EXECUTIVE    
 
           
    /s/ SHARON WATLING    
         
    Sharon Watling    

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Exhibit 10.3
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
SENIOR EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE BONUS PLAN
1. Purpose
     This Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) is intended to provide an incentive for superior work and to motivate eligible executives of Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”) toward even higher achievement and business results, to tie their goals and interests to those of the Company and its shareholders and to enable the Company to attract and retain highly qualified executives. The Incentive Plan is for the benefit of Covered Executives (as defined below).
2. Covered Executives
     From time to time, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Compensation Committee”) may select certain key executives (the “Covered Executives”) to be eligible to receive bonuses hereunder.
3. Administration
     The Compensation Committee shall have the sole discretion and authority to administer and interpret the Incentive Plan.
4. Bonus Determinations
     (a) A Covered Executive may receive a bonus payment under the Incentive Plan based upon the attainment of performance targets which are established by the Compensation Committee and relate to financial, operational, clinical or regulatory metrics with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries (the “Corporate Performance Goals”), including the following: cash flow, revenue, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net income (loss) (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), changes in the market price of the Company’s common stock, acquisitions or strategic transactions, clinical or regulatory milestones, operating income (loss), return on capital, assets, equity or investment, shareholder returns, gross or net profit levels, expense, margins, operating efficiency, working capital and earnings (loss) per share of the Company’s common stock, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group. Each Corporate Performance Goal may have a “minimum” hurdle, a “target” (100 percent attainment of the Corporate Performance Goal) and a “maximum.”
     (b) Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 4(b): (i) any bonuses paid to Covered Executives under the Incentive Plan shall be based upon objectively determinable bonus formulas that tie such bonuses to one or more performance targets relating to the Corporate Performance Goals, (ii) bonus formulas for Covered Executives shall be adopted in each performance period by the Compensation Committee and communicated to each Covered Executive at the beginning of each performance period and (iii) no bonuses shall be paid to Covered Executives unless and until the Compensation Committee makes a determination with

 


 

respect to the attainment of the performance objectives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may adjust bonuses payable under the Incentive Plan based on achievement of individual performance goals or pay bonuses (including, without limitation, discretionary bonuses) to Covered Executives under the Incentive Plan based upon such other terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may in its discretion determine.
     (c) Each Covered Executive shall have a targeted bonus opportunity for each performance period. For each Covered Executive, the Compensation Committee shall have the authority to apportion the annual target award so that a portion of the annual target award shall be tied to attainment of corporate performance targets and a portion of the target award shall be tied to attainment of individual performance targets.
     (d) The payment of a bonus to a Covered Executive with respect to a performance period shall be conditioned upon the Covered Executive’s employment by the Company on the last day of the performance period.
5. Timing of Payment
     The Corporate Performance Goals will be measured at the end of each fiscal year after the Company’s financial reports have been published. If the Corporate Performance Goals and or individual goals for any fiscal year are met, payments will be made as soon as practicable, but not later than March 15 of the subsequent fiscal year. For the avoidance of doubt, bonuses for year 1 must be paid by March 15 of year 2.
6. Amendment and Termination
     The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate the Incentive Plan at any time in its sole discretion.

2

Exhibit 10.4
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
AASTROM BIOSCIENCES, INC.
2009 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
     WHEREAS, Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”) desires to amend the Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended and in effect, the “Plan”) to increase the aggregate number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan by 3,900,000 shares of common stock, no par value (the “Common Stock”), of the Company (the “Plan Amendment”); and
     WHEREAS, on January 18, 2011, subject to shareholder approval, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the Plan Amendment.
     NOW THEREFORE, in accordance with Section 12.1 of the Plan, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:
     1. Section 3.1(a) of the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
     “Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2, effective as of March 21, 2011 the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan shall be increased from 3,250,000 Shares to 7,150,000 Shares, as increased if applicable under this Section, less one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock that was subject to an option or stock appreciation right granted after June 30, 2009 under the Prior Plans and 1.25 Shares for every one (1) Share that was subject to an award other than an option or stock appreciation right granted after June 30, 2009 under the Prior Plans. Any Shares that are subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as one (1) Share for every one (1) Share granted, and any Shares that are subject to Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as 1.25 Shares for every one (1) Share granted. After the effective date of the Plan (as provided in Section 13.13), no awards may be granted under any Prior Plan.”
     2. The last sentence of Section 5.7 of the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
     “Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1 to the contrary and solely for the purposes of determining whether Shares are available for the grant of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be 7,150,000 Shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2.”
     3. The first clause of Section 11.3 of the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
     “11.3. Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, Change in Control means the occurrence of any one of the following events:”
     4. The Plan Amendment shall be effective upon approval of the shareholders of the Company at the March 21, 2011 Special Meeting of Shareholders. If the Plan Amendment is not so approved at such meeting, then the amendment to the Plan set forth herein shall be void ab initio .
     5. Except herein above provided, the Plan is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved in all respects.

 

Exhibit 99.1
     
(AASTROM LOGO)
  Aastrom Biosciences
Domino’s Farms, Lobby K
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
T 734 930-5555 F 734 665-0485
www.aastrom.com
Aastrom Announces Outcome of Special Meeting of Shareholders
ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 21, 2011 — Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTM), a leading developer of expanded autologous cellular therapies for the treatment of severe, chronic cardiovascular diseases, today announced that company shareholders approved amendments to the company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Aastrom common stock from 62,500,000 to 150,000,000 and to increase the number of shares available under the Aastrom 2009 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. The amendments were approved at a special meeting of Aastrom shareholders held on Monday, March 21, 2011.
About Aastrom Biosciences
Aastrom Biosciences is developing expanded autologous cellular therapies for use in the treatment of severe, chronic cardiovascular diseases. The company’s proprietary cell-processing technology enables the manufacture of mixed-cell therapies expanded from a patient’s own bone marrow and delivered directly to damaged tissues. Aastrom has advanced its cell therapies into late-stage clinical development, including a planned Phase 3 clinical program for the treatment of patients with critical limb ischemia and two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. For more information, please visit Aastrom’s website at www.aastrom.com.
The Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3663
Media and investor contact
Bill Berry
Berry & Company
212 253-8881
ir@aastrom.com
bberry@berrypr.com
– more –

 


 

This document contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning clinical trial plans and progress, objectives and expectations, clinical activity timing, intended product development, the performance and contribution of certain individuals and expected timing of collecting and analyzing treatment data, all of which involve certain risks and uncertainties. These statements are often, but are not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “we believe,” “we intend,” and similar words or phrases, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “potential,” “could,” “may,” or similar expressions. Actual results may differ significantly from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that may result in differences are the inherent uncertainties associated with clinical trial and product development activities, regulatory approval requirements, competitive developments, and the availability of resources and the allocation of resources among different potential uses. These and other significant factors are discussed in greater detail in Aastrom’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward looking statements reflect management’s current views and Aastrom does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release except as required by law.

 

Exhibit 99.2
     
(AASTROM LOGO)
  Aastrom Biosciences
Domino’s Farms, Lobby K
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
T 734 930-5555 F 734 665-0485
www.aastrom.com
Aastrom Announces Date of 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 25, 2011 — Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTM), a leading developer of expanded, patient specific cellular therapies for the treatment of severe, chronic cardiovascular diseases, today announced that the company will hold its 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on June 7, 2011, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT) at the company’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Shareholders of record as of April 11, 2011, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. Aastrom plans to file the definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting on April 12, 2011.
The meeting will be webcast live and will also be accessible in archive until 11:59 P.M. (EDT) on June 21, 2011, beginning two hours after the meeting. The URL for live and archived access to the meeting is http://www.aastrom.com/investor.cfm. Participants should allow approximately five to ten minutes prior to the meeting start time to visit the site and download any streaming media software needed to listen to the webcast. To participate in the live meeting by telephone, please call (877) 312-5881 and reference Aastrom’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If calling from outside the U.S., please use the international phone number (253) 237-1173. A replay of the call will be available 11:30 A.M. (EDT) on June 7, 2011, until 11:59 P.M. (EDT) on June 21, 2011, by calling (800) 642-1687, or from outside the U.S. at (706) 645-9291. A podcast will be available after the live event at http://www.aastrom.com/events.cfm until 11:59 P.M. (EDT) on June 21, 2011. The conference ID is 55149669.
About Aastrom Biosciences
Aastrom Biosciences is developing expanded, patient specific cellular therapies for use in the treatment of severe, chronic cardiovascular diseases. The company’s proprietary cell-processing technology enables the manufacture of mixed-cell therapies expanded from a patient’s own bone marrow and delivered directly to damaged tissues. Aastrom has advanced its cell therapies into late-stage clinical development, including a planned Phase 3 clinical program for the treatment of
– more –

 


 

patients with critical limb ischemia and two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. For more information, please visit Aastrom’s website at www.aastrom.com.
The Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3663
Media and investor contact
Bill Berry
Berry & Company
212 253-8881
ir@aastrom.com
bberry@berrypr.com
This document contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning clinical trial plans and progress, objectives and expectations, clinical activity timing, intended product development, the performance and contribution of certain individuals and expected timing of collecting and analyzing treatment data, all of which involve certain risks and uncertainties. These statements are often, but are not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “we believe,” “we intend,” and similar words or phrases, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “potential,” “could,” “may,” or similar expressions. Actual results may differ significantly from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that may result in differences are the inherent uncertainties associated with clinical trial and product development activities, regulatory approval requirements, competitive developments, and the availability of resources and the allocation of resources among different potential uses. These and other significant factors are discussed in greater detail in Aastrom’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward looking statements reflect management’s current views and Aastrom does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release except as required by law.