UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

 

 

or

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                 to                

Commission File Number 000-50791

SENOMYX, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

33-0843840

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

4767 Nexus Centre Drive
San Diego, California

 

92121

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(858) 646-8300
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $.001 per share

 

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  o       No  x

Indicate by check if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  o       No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer  o           Accelerated filer  x           Non-accelerated filer  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

As of June 30, 2006, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non–affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the last sale price of such stock as of such date on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, was approximately $328,386,000. Excludes an aggregate of 7,113,375 shares of common stock held by officers and directors and by each person known by the registrant to own 5% or more of the outstanding common stock as of June 30, 2006. Exclusion of shares held by any of these persons should not be construed to indicate that such person possesses the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the registrant, or that such person is controlled by or under common control with the registrant.

As of January 31, 2007, there were 30,168,283 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, are incorporated by reference in Part III, Items 10-14 of this Form 10-K.

 




SENOMYX, INC.

Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Business

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

 

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

 

Item 2.

 

Properties

 

 

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

 

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

 

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

 

 

Item 7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

 

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

 

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

 

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

 

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

 

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

 

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

 

Item 14.

 

Principle Accountant Fees and Services

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

 

 

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements included or incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 10-K other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. You can identify these and other forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “continue” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to such statements.

Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth below under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part I Item 1A and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II Item 7 of  this annual report on Form 10-K and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they are made except as required by law.

PART I

Item 1.     Business

Overview

We are a leading company focused on using proprietary taste receptor-based assays and screening technologies to discover and develop novel flavors, flavor enhancers and taste modulators, which we refer to as flavor ingredients, for the packaged food and beverage industry. We believe our flavor ingredients will enable packaged food and beverage companies to improve the nutritional profile of their products while maintaining or enhancing taste and generating cost of goods savings. We license our flavor ingredients to our collaborators on an exclusive or co-exclusive basis, which we believe will provide these companies with a competitive advantage. We have entered into product discovery and development collaborations with six of the world’s leading packaged food and beverage companies: Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell Soup Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Kraft Foods Global, Inc. and Nestlé SA. We currently anticipate that we will derive all of our revenues from existing and future collaborations. Depending upon the collaboration, our collaboration agreements provide for upfront fees, research and development funding, reimbursement of certain regulatory costs, milestone payments based upon our achievement of research or development goals and, in the event of commercialization, royalties on sales of consumer products incorporating our flavor ingredients. Senomyx’s current programs focus on the development of savory, sweet and salt flavor enhancers, high potency sweeteners and bitter taste modulators .

Flavor ingredients are substances that impart or modulate tastes or aromas in foods and beverages. Individuals experience the sensation of taste when flavor ingredients in food and beverage products interact with taste receptors in the mouth. A taste receptor functions either by physically binding to a flavor ingredient in a process analogous to the way a key fits into a lock or by acting as a channel to allow ions to flow directly into a taste cell. As a result of these interactions, signals are sent to the brain where a specific taste sensation is registered. There are currently five recognized primary senses of taste: umami, which is the savory taste of glutamate, sweet, salt, bitter and sour.

We are currently pursuing the discovery and development of flavor ingredients through five programs focused on savory, sweet, salt and bitter taste areas.  The goals of our savory program are to enhance the taste of naturally occurring glutamate and enable the reduction or elimination of added monosodium glutamate, or MSG. The goals of our sweet enhancer program are to enhance the taste of natural and artificial sweeteners and enable a significant reduction in added sweeteners. The goals of our salt program are to enhance the taste of salt and enable a significant reduction in added salt. The goals of our bitter taste modulation program are to reduce or block bitter taste and to improve the overall taste characteristics of

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packaged foods, beverages, over the counter, or OTC, health care products and pharmaceutical products. The goals of our high potency sweetener program are to allow for the reduction of calories in packaged foods and beverages and to enable our collaborators to use product labeling referencing “natural flavors.”

Our internet address is www.senomyx.com. We post links on our website to the following filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC: annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendment to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All such filings are available through our website free of charge. Our filings may also be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is www.sec.gov.

Industry Background

Packaged Food and Beverage Industry

Packaged food and beverage products include carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, frozen foods, snack foods, ice cream, pasta, canned soup, pet food and numerous other products. According to recent data from Euromonitor International, an independent research organization, worldwide sales of packaged food and beverage products in 2005, excluding pet food, were approximately $1.4 trillion, of which $277 billion was generated in the United States. These figures represent growth rates of approximately 6% and 3%, respectively, over 2004 amounts.  Based on these estimates, of the worldwide total, sales of packaged foods were approximately $1.1 trillion and sales of non-alcoholic beverages were approximately $319 billion.  Additionally, according to recent data from Euromonitor, the worldwide sales of pet food products in 2005 were approximately $29.7 billion.  Based on recent data from Euromonitor, Information Resources, Inc. and reports from our collaborators, we estimate that our collaborators’ combined worldwide sales in 2005 of their products that fall within their exclusive or co-exclusive product fields were over $59 billion. Our collaboration agreements provide that we will receive royalties of up to 4% on our collaborators’ sales of products containing our flavor ingredients. However, we do not anticipate that our collaborators will incorporate our flavor ingredients into all of their products within their exclusive product fields.

Each of our flavor ingredients addresses large, potentially overlapping markets. The following table sets forth the four primary taste areas on which we are focused and, for each taste area, provides examples of product categories that could incorporate ingredients in those taste areas, estimated worldwide sales and our estimates of the worldwide sales for food and beverage products of our existing collaborators in their exclusive or co-exclusive product fields.

Taste Areas

 

Example Product Categories

 

2005 Estimated
Worldwide Sales(1)

 

2005 Estimated
Revenues Of
Existing
Collaborators
In Exclusive
Product Fields(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savory

 

Ready meals, sauces, spreads, frozen foods, beverages, meal replacements, soups, pastas, dried foods, snack foods, processed meats, processed cheeses and cracker products

 

$

409 billion

 

$

18.4 billion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet

 

Confectionaries, cereal, ice cream, beverages, yogurt, dessert, spreads and bakery products

 

$

512 billion

 

$

21.8 billion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt

 

Product categories are the same as those set forth for savory taste area plus canned foods and bakery products

 

$

419 billion

 

$

12.6 billion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bitter

 

Products which contain bitter tastants, including confectionary, beverages, ice cream, ready meals, canned foods and soups, and products which utilize certain artificial sweeteners

 

$

492 billion

 

$

6.7 billion

 

 


(1)           According to recent Euromonitor data for packaged food and beverages, excluding pharmaceutical and OTC health care applications.

(2)           Based on recent data from Euromonitor, Information Resources, Inc. and reports from our collaborators.

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Flavor and High Potency Sweetener Industries

Flavor ingredients are used in a variety of packaged food and beverage products throughout the world. Flavor ingredients can originate from either naturally occurring or chemically synthesized compounds.

While some packaged food and beverage companies have their own internal research and development programs, most have traditionally relied on purchases of flavor ingredients from third parties. Historically, flavor ingredients have been sold on a commodity basis by independent manufacturers who make their products broadly available to packaged food and beverage companies on a non-exclusive basis. This has limited the ability of packaged food and beverage companies to use flavor ingredients to differentiate their brands from competitors.

Traditionally, flavor and high potency sweetener companies have discovered new flavor ingredients primarily using inefficient, non-automated and labor-intensive trial and error processes involving a limited number of trained taste testers. Using this approach, taste testers must physically taste each potential flavor ingredient to assess the taste characteristics of the compound. Taste testers can assess only a limited number of potential flavor ingredients at one time due to the sensory fatigue that results from repeated tasting. As a result, only a small fraction of the available universe of ingredients can be tested economically.

In the United States, most flavor ingredients are regulated as Generally Recognized as Safe, or GRAS, substances under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or FD&C Act. GRAS determinations for most new flavor ingredients are made by an independent panel of scientists administered by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, or FEMA.  Four ingredients developed as part of our savory program have received FEMA GRAS determination.  The process from selection for development until receipt of that determination took approximately 12 months.  Costs associated with the FEMA GRAS process, including synthesis of material for regulatory studies, contract safety studies and preparation of the application, were less than $1 million.  Once a flavor ingredient is determined to be FEMA GRAS, it may be immediately incorporated into products for test marketing and commercialization in the United States and in several other countries. We expect that many of the flavor ingredients we develop in the future will require a similar amount of time and cost.  However, the length of time may vary depending on the properties of the flavor ingredient.  In the United States, most high potency sweeteners are currently regulated as food additives which require Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, approval prior to use in foods.

Flavor Ingredients as a Source of Competitive Advantage

The packaged food and beverage industry is comprised of a number of large and highly competitive market segments. Small market share gains in specific large market segments can translate into significant additional revenue for packaged food and beverage companies. For example, according to recent Euromonitor data, estimated 2005 worldwide sales of soft drinks were approximately $270 billion. Thus, an increase of a tenth of a percentage point in overall worldwide market share would result in additional revenue of approximately $270 million.

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As a result of these market opportunities, packaged food and beverage companies are constantly seeking ways to differentiate their products, demand for which can be greatly affected by very small actual or perceived improvements in flavor or health profiles. Flavor ingredients can potentially provide an important way to differentiate a particular product through enhanced taste, improvements in nutritional profile or labeling, flavor ingredient exclusivity and cost of goods savings.

·                      Taste.   Product taste is a critical competitive factor for packaged food and beverage companies. These companies seek to use flavor ingredients to improve or maintain taste while improving the nutritional profile of packaged food and beverage products or reducing ingredient costs.

·                   Health Benefits.   Packaged food and beverage companies are exploring ways to improve overall nutritional quality of their products. It is widely accepted that poor diet contributes to adverse health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. To address these concerns, many companies have introduced reduced calorie, reduced sodium and reduced fat content products to the market. Flavor ingredients with specific desired characteristics provide an innovative way to reduce the levels of ingredients that may contribute to these concerns without compromising desirable taste attributes.

·                   Flavor Ingredient Exclusivity.   Failure of packaged food and beverage companies to differentiate their brands from their competition, including private label products, may result in significant loss of market share, price pressure and erosion of profit margins. Packaged food and beverage companies spend millions of dollars creating brands and brand images to compete with other products. Many of these competitive products contain the same or similar flavor ingredients. The limited availability of proprietary flavor ingredients makes it difficult for manufacturers to differentiate their products based on flavor ingredients.

·                   Cost of Goods Savings.   The packaged food and beverage industry purchases enormous quantities of raw materials to produce their products.  According to the Food and Agriculture Division of the United Nations, estimated worldwide sugar production in 2005 was approximately 142.5 million metric tons, and consumption was over 145.1 million metric tons.  The market value of processed sugar produced worldwide is therefore in excess of $83 billion, based on United States spot prices in January 2007.  Similarly, according to JapanScan, a Datamonitor Service, worldwide demand for MSG was nearly 1.6 million metric tons in 2005 at a cost of $2.3 billion. Flavor ingredients can potentially facilitate a reduction in the quantity of these ingredients used in packaged food and beverage products, which could result in significant decreases in costs and associated increases in profit margins.

Our Solution

We use our proprietary taste receptor-based assays and screening technologies to discover and develop novel flavor ingredients. We have developed proprietary taste receptor-based assays that incorporate human taste receptors. We use these assays in our high-throughput screening systems to rapidly and efficiently screen our compound libraries and identify large numbers of novel potential flavor ingredients. We believe our approach improves the likelihood that ingredients with the desired characteristics can be discovered and then optimized into novel flavor ingredients.

We believe our approach will result in the discovery and development of flavor ingredients that will provide the following valuable solutions to the following key challenges faced by the packaged food and beverage industry:

·                   Maintaining and Improving Taste.   We are developing flavor ingredients to enable our current and future collaborators to improve or maintain taste while improving the nutritional profile of packaged food and beverage products or reducing ingredient costs.

·                   Reducing Sugar, Salt and MSG in Packaged Food and Beverage Products.  We are developing flavor ingredients to enable our current and future collaborators to significantly reduce the levels

6




of sugar, salt and MSG in packaged food and beverage products while maintaining or improving taste. We believe reducing the levels of such ingredients will improve the nutritional profile of packaged food and beverage products.

·                   Blocking Undesirable Tastes.   We are discovering flavor ingredients that we believe will be useful in blocking bitter and other unwanted tastes associated with certain packaged food, beverage, OTC health care products and pharmaceutical products.

·                   Obtaining Exclusive or Co-Exclusive Use of Proprietary Flavor Ingredients.  We are able to offer our current and future collaborators exclusive or co-exclusive use of our proprietary flavor ingredients in defined packaged food and beverage product categories. We believe this approach will assist our collaborators in differentiating their products from those of their competitors.

·                   Reducing Cost of Goods.  We believe our proprietary flavor ingredients will enable our current and future collaborators to reduce overall raw material ingredient costs, particularly for those products containing high levels of natural and artificial sweeteners and MSG.

Our Strategy

Our goal is to become the leader in discovering, developing and commercializing new and improved flavor ingredients. Key elements of our strategy include:

·                   Collaborating With Leading Packaged Food and Beverage Companies.   We are collaborating with leading packaged food and beverage companies to develop and commercialize our product candidates. Our collaborators are responsible for marketing, selling and distributing their products incorporating our flavor ingredients that are incorporated into their products. In addition, our collaborators are responsible for all manufacturing costs of our flavor ingredients.  As a result, we expect to commercialize our flavor ingredients without incurring significant sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution costs. We currently have collaborations with Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé.

·                   Developing Flavor Ingredients that are Eligible for FEMA GRAS Determination.  Our primary focus is on the development of flavor ingredients that will qualify for a FEMA GRAS determination.  Four ingredients developed as part of our savory program have received FEMA GRAS determination.  The process from selection for development until receipt of that determination took approximately 12 months.  Costs associated with the FEMA GRAS process, including synthesis of material for regulatory studies, contract safety studies and preparation of the application, were less than $1 million.  We expect that future flavor ingredients we develop will take a similar amount of time and cost a similar amount.  However, the length of time may vary depending on the properties of the flavor ingredient.  Upon the GRAS determination, our collaborators can begin to test market and commercialize products incorporating our flavor ingredients. In the event that a particular flavor ingredient is not eligible for FEMA GRAS determination, we may dedicate our development efforts to alternative ingredients.

·                   Pursuing Additional Collaborations and Market Opportunities.  We seek to establish additional collaborations with leading packaged food and beverage companies to use flavor ingredients developed through our existing programs for exclusive or co-exclusive use within new packaged food and beverage product fields. We intend to receive from future collaborators up-front fees, research and development funding, milestone payments and royalties on future sales of products incorporating these flavor ingredients. In addition, we plan to target fields in which our collaborators can incorporate more than one of our flavor ingredients into a particular product.

·                   Expanding Our Product Candidate Pipeline.  We will continue to focus on the discovery and development of additional flavor ingredients based on additional taste receptors to address new taste areas. We believe potential new taste receptors include the fat taste and cold taste receptors.  We also intend to improve the beneficial characteristics of our current product candidates through

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the development of next-generation flavor ingredients. We will also continue to consider applications of our current products and technologies outside of the packaged food and beverage industry.

·                   Maintaining and Expanding Our Technology Position.  We believe our proprietary taste receptor-based technologies, including our receptor discovery, assay development and high-throughput screening technologies and natural and synthetic compound libraries provide us and our collaborators with significant competitive advantages. We intend to continue to develop and acquire proprietary technologies and related intellectual property rights to expand and enhance our ability to discover and develop new proprietary flavor ingredients.

Our Discovery and Development Process

The following diagram summarizes our discovery and development process.

The key elements of our Discovery and Development process are:

·                   Proprietary Taste Receptor-Based Assay Development.  The first step in our discovery and development process is to develop proprietary assays based on human taste receptors. Our assays are tests that measure interactions between the taste receptors and potential flavor ingredients. To date we have developed assays to test for compounds that affect savory, sweet, salt and bitter taste.

·                   High-Throughput Screening and Identification of Lead Compounds.  The next step in our discovery and development process is to use our proprietary taste receptor-based assays to identify compounds that bind to human taste receptors, known as hits. We use automated high-throughput screening to rapidly evaluate our libraries of diverse synthetic and natural compounds.  A panel of taste testers then evaluates the taste effect of the most potent hits. Based on this evaluation, we designate hits that exhibit a positive taste effect as proof-of-concept compounds. We then select the most promising of those proof-of-concept compounds, which we call lead compounds, for optimization.

·                   Optimization of Lead Compounds and Selection of Product Candidates.  The next step in our discovery and development process is to chemically enhance, or optimize, our lead compounds to allow lower amounts of the compound to be used in the finished product or improve the enhancement effect to meet the taste attribute goals of our collaborators. Optimization may also be required to enhance the safety profile or to improve the physical properties of a compound so that it is stable under manufacturing, storage and food preparation conditions. We refer to optimized compounds that provide desirable taste attributes in packaged food and beverage product prototypes as product candidates.

·                   Safety Studies and Regulatory Approval of Product Candidates.  The next step in our discovery and development process is to select, in conjunction with our collaborators, one or more product candidates for commercialization. We then evaluate the selected product candidate for safety. Following this evaluation, we submit the safety data along with the physical and chemical properties of the product candidate and a description of manufacturing and conditions of intended use to the FEMA GRAS expert panel for review.  Four ingredients developed as part of our savory program have received FEMA GRAS determination.  The process from selection for development until receipt of that determination took approximately 12 months.  Costs associated with the FEMA GRAS process, including synthesis of material for regulatory studies, contract safety studies and preparation of the application, were less than $1 million.  We expect that most of the flavor ingredients we develop in the future will require a similar amount of time and cost. 

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However, the length of time may vary depending on the properties of the flavor ingredient.  In the United States, most high potency sweeteners are currently regulated as food additives which require FDA approval prior to use in foods.  However, no United States regulation precludes high potency sweeteners from being determined to be GRAS.  The safety data requirements for food additives and GRAS substances are the same and depend upon the anticipated human exposure to the substance or consumption, and the level of concern for potential toxicity based on the structure of the substance.  If a food additive petition is required, there is a range of potential studies which may have an estimated cost of up to $7 million and may take up to four years to complete.  Furthermore, additional studies adding cost and time to approval may be required depending on the results of the initial safety studies.  Outside the United States, the food additive approval process is generally similar to the FDA food additive petition process.

Following regulatory approval, foods and beverages containing our proprietary flavor ingredients can be immediately commercialized in the United States and several other countries.  We intend to use the data from the United States regulatory review to facilitate approval of our flavor ingredients for use in products sold in additional countries.  We anticipate, however, that our collaborators will test market their products containing our flavor ingredients through a series of consumer acceptance tests prior to initiating any wide-scale commercialization.

Our Discovery and Development Programs

We are currently pursuing the discovery and development of flavor ingredients through five programs focused on savory, sweet, salt and bitter taste areas.

Savory Enhancer Program

The goals of our savory program are to enhance the taste of naturally occurring glutamate and enable the reduction or elimination of added MSG and a related food additive, inosine monophosphate, or IMP. Using SavoryScreenHT, our high-throughput savory receptor-based assay system, we identified two product candidates, S336 and S807, that enhance the savory taste of glutamate.  S336 is approximately three times more potent than S807 in taste tests and exhibits greater water solubility compared to S807, which is more fat soluble. Other characteristics, such as heat stability and ease of manufacturing by a simple synthesis process, are similar for the two ingredients. Our collaborator evaluated S336 and S807 for savory taste enhancement in product prototypes, and formally selected both S336 and S807 for development in May 2004.

We completed the safety assessment studies for S336 and S807 and submitted applications for GRAS determination to the FEMA Expert Panel in December 2004.  In March 2005, S336 and S807 were determined to be GRAS.  In addition, two other flavor enhancers, S263 and S976, which are related to S336, were also determined by FEMA to be GRAS.  A more detailed description of the FEMA GRAS process is provided in Item I, Business — Regulatory Process .  After we achieved FEMA GRAS status for the four savory ingredients, our collaborator initiated product development efforts to identify initial applications, optimal concentrations and the development of new recipes.   That collaborator is currently preparing for initial commercialization of products containing a Senomyx savory flavor enhancer.  A number of different products have been targeted for market launch in selected countries over the course of 2007.  We expect these products will be introduced into the marketplace on a rolling basis as the year progresses.

A second collaborator for the Savory Enhancer Program is conducting initial taste tests and product development work in preparation for potential future launches of products containing Senomyx’s savory ingredients.

Concurrently, we are working to obtain global regulatory approvals in support of new business development activities and commercialization strategies for subsequent product launches of our savory flavor enhancers in additional countries.

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Sweet Enhancer Program

The goals of our sweet enhancer program are to enhance the taste of natural and artificial sweeteners and enable a significant reduction in added sweeteners. Using SweetScreenHT, our high-throughput sweet receptor-based assay system, we have identified a number of proof-of-concept compounds that allow 30% to 40% reductions of added sugar in product prototypes.  During 2006, optimization was conducted to improve the compounds’ potency and physical properties.  Compounds that demonstrated enhanced potency in the receptor assay compared to previous lead compounds were subsequently evaluated in taste tests.

We have identified compounds that we believe may meet one collaborator’s requirements for product candidates.  An initial safety study was completed successfully, allowing us and our collaborator to proceed with additional product development work and sensory tests of compound-containing product prototypes.  Upon successful completion of these activities, the collaborator plans to conduct consumer guidance taste tests.  The results of these tests will be used by the collaborator as the basis for the potential selection of product candidates for further development.

Additional efforts are in progress to identify sweet enhancers for our other collaborators. This work includes optimizing previously discovered enhancers, screening new natural and synthetic libraries and the use of molecular modeling to design and optimize additional sweet taste enhancers.

It is our goal to identify a sweet product candidate and initiate development and safety studies to achieve the first commercial sale of a product containing an ingredient from the Sweet Enhancer Program in 2008.

Salt Enhancer Program

The goal of our salt enhancer program is to identify compounds that enhance the taste of salt and provide a significant reduction in sodium levels in a variety of foods while maintaining or improving the desired salt taste.  During 2006, we began work on the identification of enhancers of the Delta form of the sodium ion channel, ENaC.  It is believed that Delta ENaC may play an important role in mediating salt taste in humans.  Compounds that enhance the in vitro activity of Delta ENaC have been identified, although these did not provide a taste effect.  We are continuing to identify additional enhancers of Delta ENaC to obtain compounds that provide a taste effect.  A complementary effort has been initiated to characterize alternative ion channels and receptors that may play a role in salt taste perception.  From this scientific work, our scientists are generating potential targets for enhancement.

Bitter Taste Modulator Program

The goal of our bitter taste modulator program is to identify compounds that modulate or eliminate the bitter taste associated with certain packaged food and beverage products, OTC health care products and pharmaceutical products.  This involves the identification of taste receptors that respond to bitter ingredients known to be present in a variety of food and beverages, followed by the use of these receptors to discover bitter taste blockers.  In 2006, we continued to make progress identifying taste receptors that respond to bitter ingredients known to be present in a variety of food and beverages, followed by the use of these receptors to discover bitter taste blockers.  Screening for blockers of certain bitter taste receptors has been initiated.  From the screening efforts, we have identified specific antagonists that blocked targeted bitter receptors in our in vitro assay.  The antagonist compounds are undergoing taste tests and optimization to increase potency in order to provide a taste effect by reducing bitterness.

High Potency Sweetener Program

In the fourth quarter of 2006, we initiated a new scientific program for the discovery and development of high potency sweeteners.  High potency sweeteners are flavor ingredients that are many times sweeter than sucrose and are essentially calorie free.  High potency sweeteners can originate from either naturally

10




occurring or chemically synthesized compounds.   High potency sweeteners have traditionally been discovered accidentally or through modification of known sweet compounds.  The goal of our high potency sweetener program is to identify novel no-calorie or low-calorie natural high potency sweeteners that provide improved taste and physical properties compared to current sweeteners. The high potency sweetener program is progressing in parallel with our active efforts toward the discovery and development of sweet taste enhancers.  Our scientists have used our proprietary screening assays to identify several natural ingredients that could potentially be developed as novel high potency sweeteners.

Product Discovery and Development Collaborations

We pursue collaborations with leaders in the packaged food and beverage market. Under each of our current product discovery and development collaboration agreements, we have agreed to conduct research and develop flavor ingredients in one or more specified taste areas, such as savory, sweet, salt or bitter. Each of these collaborations is focused on one or more specific product fields, such as non-alcoholic beverages, wet soups or frozen foods. To date, we have entered into product discovery and development collaborations with Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé.

All of our current collaboration agreements provide for research and development funding, milestone payments upon achievement of pre-defined research or development targets, cost reimbursement and royalty payments based upon future product sales in the event the collaborator commercializes a product incorporating our flavor ingredients. Certain of our current collaboration agreements also provide for upfront fees.  The research and development funding under each of these agreements is paid according to a fixed payment schedule. Each of these collaborations provides us with a portion of the funding we require to pursue the discovery and development of flavor ingredients for the applicable program. Under each of these agreements, we are primarily responsible for the discovery and development phases and any associated expenses, while our collaborator is primarily responsible for selecting the consumer products that may incorporate our flavor ingredients. Our collaborator is also responsible for manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing any of these consumer products, and any associated expenses. Under most of our agreements, we are primarily responsible for the regulatory approval phase and a portion of the associated expenses.  We believe our collaborations will allow us to benefit from our collaborators’ well-established brand recognition, global market presence, established sales and distribution channels and other industry-specific expertise. Each of our collaborations is governed by a joint steering committee, consisting of an equal number of representatives of the collaborator and us. The steering committees provide strategic direction and establish performance criteria for the research, development and commercialization of our flavor ingredients. All decisions of the steering committees must be unanimous.

Each of our collaboration agreements provides that we will conduct research and development on flavor ingredients for use within clearly defined packaged food and beverage product fields on an exclusive or co-exclusive basis for the collaborator during the collaborative period specified in each of the agreements. Our current product discovery and development collaborators are not prohibited from entering into research and development collaboration agreements with third parties in any product field. Under the terms of each agreement, we will retain rights to flavor ingredients that we discover during the collaboration for use with the collaborator, or for our use or with other collaborators outside of the defined product field. We will also retain rights to any flavor ingredients that we discover after the respective collaborative period. In addition, in the case of certain of our agreements, if the collaborator terminates the agreement or fails after a reasonable time following regulatory approval or GRAS determination to incorporate one or more of our flavor ingredients into a product, it will no longer be entitled to use, and we will have the right to license, the flavor ingredients to other packaged food and beverage companies for use in any product field.

Each of our agreements terminates when we are no longer entitled to royalty payments under the agreement. In addition, each agreement may be terminated earlier by mutual agreement or by either party in the event of a breach by the other party of its obligations under the agreement.  Our initial agreement with Ajinomoto allows Ajinomoto to terminate the agreement without cause provided that it pay additional specified research funding if it terminates the agreement prior to March 23, 2009.  Our most recent agreement with Ajinomoto gives Ajinomoto the right to terminate the agreement without cause provided

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that it pay additional specified research funding if it terminates the agreement prior to October 5, 2009.  Cadbury Schweppes may terminate its agreement without cause upon 90 days written notice.  Campbell may only terminate its agreement without cause upon 60 days written notice, provided that it pay a specified termination fee if it terminates the agreement prior to the end of the collaborative period. Our agreement with Coca-Cola permits Coca-Cola to terminate the agreement upon specified major corporate events.  The collaborative period may be terminated by Coca-Cola upon 60 days written notice upon payment of a specified early conclusion fee. In the event of early conclusion, Coca-Cola will no longer be entitled to use, and we will have the right to license, any flavors or flavor enhancers discovered prior to such early conclusion to third parties for use in any product field, provided that Coca-Cola would retain non-exclusive rights in the field of non-alcoholic beverages with the exception of dry powdered beverages.  Our agreement with Kraft Foods may be terminated by our collaborator upon 60 days written notice, provided that it pay a specified termination fee if it terminates the agreement prior to the end of the research collaborative period. Our initial agreement with Nestlé gives Nestlé the right to terminate the agreement without cause, provided that it pay additional specified research funding if it terminates the agreement prior to April 18, 2008.  Our most recent agreement with Nestlé gives Nestlé the right to terminate the agreement without cause on or after April 26, 2007 upon 90 days written notice, provided that it pay a specified termination fee if it terminates the agreement after April 26, 2007 but prior to the end of the collaborative period.

Ajinomoto

In March 2006, we entered into a collaborative research, development, commercialization and license agreement with Ajinomoto for the discovery and commercialization of novel flavor ingredients on an exclusive basis in the soup, sauce and culinary aids, and noodle product categories, and on a co-exclusive basis in the bouillon product category within Japan and other Asian markets.  Under the terms of the collaboration, Ajinomoto has agreed to pay us an upfront license fee and discovery and development funding for up to three years.  In addition, we are eligible to receive milestone payments upon achievement of specific product discovery and development goals.  Through December 31, 2006, we have received $5.6 million in upfront fees and discovery and development funding.  If all milestones are achieved, and including the $5.6 million in upfront fees and discovery and development funding paid through December 31, 2006, we may be entitled to up to $8.3 million in upfront fees, discovery and development funding and milestone payments.  In addition, upon commercialization, we are entitled to receive royalty payments based on sales of products containing flavor ingredients developed under the agreement until the expiration of relevant patents.  We cannot assure you that we will receive any future milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

In October 2006, we entered into a second collaborative research, commercialization and license agreement with Ajinomoto for the discovery and commercialization of specified natural flavor ingredients.  Under the terms of the agreement, Ajinomoto has agreed to pay us research funding for up to three years based on research progress during the collaborative period.  In addition, we are eligible to receive payments upon achievement of specific milestones.  Through December 31, 2006 we have received $450,000 in discovery and development funding.  If all milestones are achieved, and including the $450,000 in discovery and development funding paid through December 31, 2006, we may be entitled to up to $2.8 million in discovery and development funding and milestone payments.  In addition, upon commercialization, we are entitled to receive royalty payments based on sales of products containing flavor ingredients developed under the agreement.  We cannot assure you that we will receive any future milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

Cadbury Schweppes

In July 2005, we entered into a collaborative research and license agreement with Cadbury Adams USA, LLC, a Cadbury Schweppes company, for the discovery and commercialization of new flavor ingredients in the gum confectionary area.  Under the terms of the collaboration, Cadbury Schweppes has agreed to pay us research funding for up to two years based on research progress during the collaborative period. We are also eligible to receive milestone payments upon our achievement of specific product discovery and development goals. Through December 31, 2006, we have received $1.3 million in research

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funding. If all milestones are achieved, and including the $1.3 million in research funding paid through December 31, 2006, we may be entitled to up to $3.1 million in research funding and milestone payments. In addition, in the event of commercialization, we are entitled to receive royalties based on sales of products containing new flavor ingredients developed under the agreement. We cannot assure you that we will receive any future milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

Campbell Soup Company

In March 2001, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Campbell, a global manufacturer and marketer of consumer food products, to work for a three-year collaborative period to discover specified flavors and flavor enhancers in the packaged food and beverage product fields of soups, including frozen soups. We later amended the agreement to add the product field of specified savory beverages in consideration for additional research and development payments and potential milestone and royalty payments.  In February 2006, we extended the collaborative period until the earlier of March 2009 or submission for a GRAS determination, subject to earlier termination under specified circumstances.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Campbell has agreed to pay to us certain research and development funding. We are also eligible to receive a milestone payment upon our achievement of a specific product development goal. Through December 31, 2006, we have received $9.7 million in research and development funding. If all milestones are achieved, and including the $9.7 million in research and development funding paid through December 31, 2006, we may be entitled to up to $13.1 million in research and development funding and milestone payments. In addition, in the event of commercialization, we are entitled to receive royalties on future net sales of products containing a discovered flavor or flavor enhancer from the date of introduction of each product in each country until 17 years thereafter or until the expiration of relevant patents in such country, whichever is earlier. We cannot assure you that we will receive any future milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

The Coca-Cola Company

In April 2002, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage company, to work for a three-year collaborative period with Coca-Cola for the discovery and development of specified new flavors and flavor enhancers in the product field of soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages. In addition, we will work with Coca-Cola on a co-exclusive basis with Kraft Foods for the discovery and development of flavor enhancers in a specified food and beverage product field. In April 2004, we amended the agreement to extend the collaborative period until April 2008.

Under the agreement, Coca-Cola has agreed to pay certain research and development funding over the collaborative period. We are also eligible to receive milestone payments upon our achievement of specific product discovery and development goals. Through December 31, 2006, we have received $9.5 million in research and development funding. If all milestones are achieved, and including the $9.5 million in research and development funding paid through December 31, 2006, we may be entitled to up to $14.8 million. In addition, in the event of commercialization, we are entitled to receive royalties on future sales of products containing a discovered flavor or flavor enhancer until the expiration of relevant patents. We cannot assure you that we will receive any future milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

In December 2000, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Kraft Foods, a global leader in branded foods and beverages. The collaborative period for the original product discovery and development program expired on its own terms in December 2003. However, prior to December 2003 we amended our collaboration agreement to provide for a new collaborative program for the discovery and development of novel flavor modifiers on a co-exclusive basis with Coca-Cola in a specified food and beverage product field through May 2005. In April 2005 and July 2005 we further amended our collaboration agreement to extend the collaborative research phase for three months and an additional two years through July 2007, respectively, and to expand the collaborative program to include discovery and development of novel flavor modifiers on an exclusive basis in a specified product field in the dessert product category.  We are also

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eligible to receive milestone payments upon our achievement of specific product discovery and development goals. Through December 31, 2006, we have received $9.4 million in research and development funding, one milestone payment of $250,000 and one milestone payment of $375,000. If all milestones are achieved, and including all research and development funding paid or payable, we may be entitled to up to $10.7 million. In addition, in the event of commercialization, we are entitled to receive royalties on future net sales of products containing a discovered flavor modifier from the date of introduction of each product in each country until the earlier of 17 years thereafter or until the expiration of relevant patents in such country. We cannot assure you that we will receive any further milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

In December 2005, we further amended the agreement to provide for a new three-year discovery and development collaboration.  In November 2006, we further amended this agreement to revise the structure of the research and development funding.  In this second collaboration, we will work with Kraft Foods on the discovery and development of novel flavor modifiers on a co-exclusive basis in the chilled and processed meat product category within North America.  Under the terms of the second collaboration, Kraft Foods has agreed to pay us an initial license fee and incremental discovery and development funding over the three-year period, subject to earlier termination under specified circumstances.  In addition, we are eligible to receive milestone payments upon achievement of specific product discovery and development goals.  Through December 31, 2006, we have received $1.6 million in license fees and research and development funding.  If all milestones are achieved, and including all license fees and research and development funding payable, we may be entitled to up to $5.4 million.  In addition, in the event of commercialization, we are entitled to receive royalties on future net sales of products containing a discovered flavor enhancer from the date of introduction of each product in each country until the earlier of 17 years thereafter or until the expiration of relevant patents in such country. We cannot assure you that we will receive any further milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

Nestlé SA

In April 2002, we entered into an initial collaboration agreement with Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, to work for a three-year collaborative period to discover specified flavors and flavor enhancers in the food and beverage product fields of dehydrated and culinary food, frozen food and wet soup.  In April 2005, we amended the agreement to provide for a three-year extension of the collaborative research phase.  In March 2006, we further amended the agreement to include commercialization of novel flavors and flavor enhancers in the pet food category on a worldwide, co-exclusive basis.  In addition to the expansion, the Nestlé agreement has been amended to allow us to reacquire rights to certain of our flavor ingredients in certain geographic regions. As a result of this amendment, Nestlé now has rights to flavor ingredients in Europe, Asia, Israel, Oceania, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America in specified product categories within the dehydrated and culinary food, frozen food, and/or wet soup product categories, as well as worldwide rights for the pet food category, while we have reacquired certain rights in North America and other geographic regions in specified product categories.

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Nestlé has agreed to pay to us certain research and development funding over six years, subject to earlier termination under specified circumstances. We are also eligible to receive milestone payments upon our achievement by certain dates of specific product discovery and development goals. Through December 31, 2006, we have received $10.0 million in research and development funding, reimbursement of certain regulatory expenses of $339,000 and four milestone payments of $375,000 each. If all milestones are achieved, and including all research and development funding paid or payable, we may be entitled to up to $15.8 million under the initial collaboration. In addition, in the event of commercialization, we are entitled to receive royalties on future net sales of products containing a discovered flavor or flavor enhancer from the date of introduction of each product in each country until the expiration of relevant patents. We cannot assure you that we will receive any further milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

In October 2004, we entered into a second product discovery and development collaboration agreement with Nestlé to work for a five-year collaborative period focusing on the discovery and commercialization of specified novel flavor ingredients in the coffee and coffee whiteners field.  Under the

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terms of the agreement, Nestlé has agreed to pay us certain research and development funding over five years, subject to extension or earlier termination under specified circumstances.  This collaborative period has been subsequently extended to a five-and-one-half year collaborative period, subject to further extension or earlier termination under specified circumstances.  We are also eligible to receive milestone payments upon achievement of specific product discovery and development goals.  Through December 31, 2006, we have received $4.1 million in research and development funding.  If all milestones are achieved, and including all research and development funding paid or payable, we may be entitled to up to $14.0 million under the second collaboration.  In addition, in the event of commercialization, we are entitled to receive royalties on future net sales of products containing a discovered flavor ingredient from the date of introduction of each product in each country until the expiration of relevant patents. We cannot assure you that we will receive any milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

Our Technology

We have discovered or in-licensed many of the key receptors that mediate taste in mammals. Having isolated human taste receptors, we have created proprietary taste receptor-based assay systems that provide a biochemical or electronic readout when a test compound affects the receptor. To enable faster compound discovery, we integrated our proprietary taste receptor-based screening assays into a robot-controlled automated system that uses plates containing an array of individual wells, each of which can screen a different compound. Our receptor-based discovery and development process has enabled us to improve our ability to find novel flavor ingredients over the traditional use of simple taste tests.

Receptor Discovery and Assay Development Technology

There are currently five recognized primary senses of taste: umami (which is the savory taste of glutamate), sweet, salt, bitter and sour. Scientists generally believe that each of these taste sensations is recognized by a distinct taste receptor or family of taste receptors in the mouth or on the tongue. A taste receptor functions either by physically binding to a flavor ingredient in a process analogous to the way a key fits into a lock or by acting as a channel to allow ions to flow directly into a taste cell. The brain recognizes tastes by determining which of the numerous receptors in the mouth have been contacted by a given flavor ingredient. Savory, sweet and bitter taste ingredients bind to taste receptors specific to each taste on the surface of taste bud cells. In contrast, the taste of salt and the sour taste are thought to be recognized by taste channels that allow the passage of particular ions into the taste bud cells.

The current status in the development of proprietary taste receptor-based assay systems for human taste receptors is as follows:

·                   Savory Receptor.  Glutamate is a natural component of foods, including tomatoes, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, and meats. It is often added to foods in the form of MSG to provide a savory flavor. The human savory receptor is composed of two proteins called hT1R1 and hT1R3. The T1R proteins are members of the G protein-coupled receptor, or GPCR, family and are expressed on the surface of certain taste bud cells. We created SavoryScreenHT, a proprietary high-throughput savory taste receptor-based assay system and demonstrated that it responded to MSG and inosine monophosphate, or IMP. We screened over 200,000 compounds in SavoryScreenHT and identified a number of savory enhancers, including S807, S336, S263 and S976, which were determined to be GRAS in March 2005.

·                   Sweet Receptor.  The human sweet receptor is composed of two proteins called hT1R2 and hT1R3. The hT1R3 protein is shared in common with the savory receptor. Like the savory receptor, the sweet receptor is also a member of the GPCR family and is expressed on the surface of certain taste bud cells. We created SweetScreenHT, a proprietary high-throughput sweet taste receptor-based assay system, and demonstrated that it responded to many different sweet-tasting compounds including carbohydrate sweeteners and artificial sweeteners.  We have screened over 300,000 compounds in SweetScreenHT and identified novel compounds that modulate sweet taste and could potentially function as sweet taste enhancers for mid-calorie foods and beverages.  We are also using SweetScreenHT to identify natural compounds that could potentially function as high potency sweeteners for no-calorie or low-calorie foods and beverages.

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·                   Bitter Receptors. There are 25 bitter receptors in humans.  These are also members of the GPCR protein family.  Work from model systems showed that the 25 bitter receptors are likely present together in the same taste cell.  The bitter receptors are believed to have evolved as a defense mechanism to warn of and prevent the ingestion of poisonous substances.  It is thought that each bitter receptor recognizes a different set of bitter-tasting compounds.  We have characterized bitter ligands for most of the 25 T2R receptors and we are using these receptors in cell-based assays to discover bitter taste blockers.

·                   Salt Receptor.  In contrast to the GPCRs that mediate savory, sweet and bitter tastes, sodium ions, and to a lesser extent, potassium ions, are thought to produce a salt taste via ion channels present on the surface of taste bud cells. Ion channels are receptors that span the cell membrane and allow a flow of ions into or out of cells. Published work suggests that the Epithelial Sodium Channel, or ENaC, is a mediator of salt taste. We have characterized two forms of ENaC from human taste cells, termed Alpha ENaC and Delta ENaC.  For each form of ENaC, we have developed two proprietary ENaC-based assay systems, SaltScreenHT, a high-throughput system capable of screening thousands of compounds per day, and SaltScreenEP, a lower-throughput electrophysiology-based system. We demonstrated each of the SaltScreen systems are responsive to sodium and therefore could be used to identify novel salt flavor enhancers. We are characterizing enhancers of Delta ENaC and have initiated a research effort to characterize alternative ion channels and receptors that may play a role in salt taste perception. From this work, we are generating several potential targets for enhancement.

Screening Technologies and Compound Libraries

We have developed or acquired access to expansive libraries of potential flavor ingredients currently comprised of over 300,000 natural and synthetic compounds. We intend to continue to acquire or develop additional compounds to add to our libraries.  Our recent focus has been on acquiring extracts and other natural compounds, which have a greater structural diversity than synthetic compounds and therefore provide numerous compounds for screening. We have designed and selected our libraries to comprise compounds that we believe are likely to be safe and economical for use in packaged food and beverage products. We are using our SavoryScreenHT, SweetScreenHT, SaltScreenHT, SaltScreenEP and BitterScreen assay systems to screen the compounds in our libraries for their effects on specific taste receptors. These systems use many of the same technologies that pharmaceutical companies use to discover medicines. Our assay systems are much more sensitive than the human tongue, and can therefore be used to discover novel flavor ingredients that could not be identified using taste tests.  We also use these systems to assist us in optimizing our lead compounds by rapidly and iteratively testing the potency of the flavor ingredients generated in the optimization process as the lead compound progresses to become a product candidate.

Regulatory Process

Flavoring substances, including flavor ingredients, intended for use in foods and beverages in the United States are regulated under provisions of the FD&C Act administered by the FDA. Flavor ingredients sold in countries and regions outside of the United States are also subject to regulations imposed by national governments or regional regulatory authorities, as is the case in the European Union.

Regulation of Flavor Ingredients in the United States

In the United States, flavor ingredients are regulated by the FDA as approved food additives, or as GRAS ingredients under the FD&C Act. The Food Additive Amendments of 1958 prompted the flavor industry to establish in 1960 the FEMA Expert Panel.  FEMA has administered the GRAS program for flavors on behalf of the industry for over 40 years.  Other possible routes to approval of a flavor-modifying compound would be a GRAS self-determination (independent of FEMA) with or without FDA notification, or a food additive petition to the FDA. Our goal is that the flavor ingredients, including flavor ingredients we may discover will be subject to one of the regulatory review processes described below.

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GRAS Review Process.     Flavor ingredients that qualify for the GRAS review process are generally intended to be consumed in small quantities and have data supporting their safety under conditions of intended use. An expert panel, convened to undertake a GRAS review, determines whether an ingredient is generally recognized as safe under the conditions of its intended use. These experts are qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate the safety of chemicals used in food and may declare certain ingredients as having been adequately shown through scientific procedures to be generally recognized as safe under the conditions of their intended use. Under the GRAS process, manufacturers are required to obtain safety data from the scientific literature or through the conduct of safety studies, determine the estimated daily intake of the flavor ingredient per person and submit a report to the GRAS review panel describing the physical, chemical, safety, and metabolic properties of the flavor ingredient. The entire GRAS determination process, including the safety and metabolic studies, application preparation and GRAS panel review, can take up to two years or longer. However, if there are prior safety data on the ingredient or an ingredient with a related structure, then fewer safety studies may be required for the GRAS review and the GRAS review process can be considerably shorter than two years.

The most common types of GRAS review are:

·                   FEMA Expert Panel.  The FEMA Expert Panel is an independent panel of experts established by FEMA.  The FEMA Expert Panel, which may be used by FEMA members and certain other parties, meets up to three times per year. The conclusions of the Expert Panel regarding a flavor or flavor enhancer are provided directly to the FDA and published in the journal Food Technology. To our knowledge, the FDA has not challenged the FEMA Expert Panel’s conclusion that the use of a flavoring substance is GRAS. In 2005, the FEMA Expert Panel published its findings on 185 new ingredients determined to be GRAS for specific flavor applications. We joined FEMA as an associate member in 2003.  We became a full active member of FEMA in 2006.  Four of our savory ingredients were determined to be GRAS by the FEMA Expert Panel in 2005.

·                   Specifically Convened Independent Panel.  An independent, qualified panel of experts in pertinent scientific disciplines may be formed by the manufacturer to evaluate the safety of a specific compound for GRAS status. This process is known as a “self determination of GRAS status.”  The basis for the GRAS self determination is not required to be submitted to the FDA.  However, the FDA may request information on ingredients that have been self determined to be GRAS, or the information may be provided voluntarily.

Benefits of the FEMA GRAS Process

There are three key benefits of the FEMA GRAS review process:

·                   Rapid Time for Commercialization.  Four ingredients developed as part of our savory program have received FEMA GRAS determination.  The process from selection for development until receipt of that determination took approximately 12 months.  We expect that future flavor ingredients we develop will take a similar amount of time.  However, the length of time may vary depending on the properties of the flavor ingredient.  This is much shorter than the typical amount of time to obtain FDA approval under the food additive petition process applicable to other food ingredients. Once the compound is determined to be FEMA GRAS, it can be immediately commercialized in the United States and several other countries that recognize the FEMA GRAS status. As described above, the initial phase of commercialization may include compound manufacturing, incorporation of the flavor ingredient into products, and the commercialization of products in consumer test markets.

·                   Low Development Costs.  The total costs for the FEMA GRAS process, including synthesis of material for regulatory studies, contract safety studies and preparation of the FEMA GRAS application is generally under $1 million per compound.

·                   Facilitated Approval in Other Countries.  Approval of flavors for use outside of the United States varies widely by country. According to FEMA, seven countries, including Brazil, New Zealand

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and Australia, recognize ingredients on the FEMA GRAS list.  An additional set of countries recognize ingredients on the FEMA GRAS list “in principle”. These include Canada, China, Philippines and Turkey. Approval in these countries may require specific applications to the food safety authority of the individual countries but usually not additional safety testing.

Food Additive Petition Process.     Food ingredients for which the GRAS process is not available may be evaluated as food additives. Food additives require FDA approval prior to use in foods. An ingredient may be ineligible for GRAS determination, and may be considered a food additive, because there is insufficient general knowledge or for a variety of other reasons, including conditions of intended use resulting in high dietary exposure or the ingredient’s safety profile. If the ingredient is considered a food additive, a food additive petition must be filed and approved by the FDA. Food additive petitions contain information on the chemical nature of the ingredient, the manufacturing process, information on use in food, estimates of human exposure from use of the compound in food and all known information related to the safety of the ingredient.  The FDA reviews the petition content, requests additional information if necessary, publishes a proposed rule for use in food, reviews comments on the proposed rule and publishes a final rule, if the use is determined to be acceptable.  The safety data requirements for food additives are the same as for GRAS substances.  We estimate that a food additive petition could cost up to $7 million and may take up to four years to complete.  Furthermore, additional studies adding cost and time to approval may be required depending on the results of the initial safety studies.  Examples of ingredients that have gone through a food additive petition process include the artificial sweeteners Aspartame, Acesulfame K and Sucralose. It may be necessary for any high potency sweeteners that we discover or develop to follow this regulatory route.

License Arrangements

We have licensed rights from several companies and academic institutions, including the following:

University of California

  In March 2000, we entered into a license agreement with the University of California under which we obtained exclusive rights to certain technologies held by the University of California that are involved in the biology of taste, including specified receptors in two taste receptor families, T1Rs and T2Rs. The license may be converted to a non-exclusive license, or terminated, by the University of California if we fail to meet specified milestones relating to the discovery of specified products and the sale of specified products and services. Our exclusive rights are also subject to rights granted by the University of California to the United States Government and a private medical foundation. In October 2006, we entered into an amended and restated agreement with the University of California to include certain additional related technologies.  The agreement, as originally drafted and as amended and restated, required a license issue fee, payable in installments through 2005, and calls for annual maintenance fees commencing in 2006 and royalties or service revenues on sales of any products developed using technologies licensed under the agreement. Royalties will accrue in each country for as long as there exists a valid patent claim covering a product developed under the agreement. No royalty payments have accrued under the agreement to date. The agreement will remain in effect until the later of the expiration of the last to expire patent licensed under the agreement, or ten years from the date that the last product to be developed under the agreement is introduced to market in the United States. We may terminate the agreement at any time, without cause, upon notice to the University of California. The University of California may terminate the agreement upon a breach of our obligations under the agreement.

Competition

Our goal is to be the leader in discovering novel flavor ingredients for use in a wide range of packaged food and beverage products. Other companies are possibly pursuing similar technologies and the commercialization of products and services relevant to flavor ingredients. Although we are not aware of any other companies that have the scope of proprietary technologies and processes that we have developed in our field, there are a number of competitors who possess capabilities relevant to the flavor ingredient field.

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In particular, we face substantial competition from companies pursuing the commercialization of products and services relevant to taste using more traditional methods for the discovery of flavor ingredients. These competitors include leading flavor companies, such as International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Givaudan SA, Symrise, Unilever and Firmenich. These companies provide flavors and other products, such as oils, extracts and distillates, to consumer products companies for use in a wide variety of products including foods, beverages, confectionaries, dairy products and pharmaceuticals. Competitors currently developing or marketing high potency sweeteners include Tate & Lyle, NutraSweet, Ajinomoto and Cargill. We also face indirect competition from other companies such as Newly Weds Foods, Inc., a manufacturer of food coatings and seasonings for restaurants, airlines and the food services industry. We currently compete and will continue to compete in the future with these companies in collaborating with and selling flavor products and technologies to manufacturers of packaged food and beverage products. Many of these companies have substantially greater capital resources, research and development resources and experience, manufacturing capabilities, regulatory expertise, sales and marketing resources, established relationships with consumer products companies and production facilities.

We may in the future face competition from life sciences and other technology companies and other commercial enterprises. These entities engage as we do in biotechnology, biology or chemistry and could apply this technology to the discovery and development of flavor ingredients. We are aware of a privately-held company, Redpoint Bio, formerly known as Linguagen Corp., that we believe is involved in research on sweetness potentiators, salt substitutes and bitter blockers, specifically adenosine 5’ monophosphate, or AMP, and has announced research and development collaborations with a number of companies. While we do not believe that any of these collaborations is competitive with our product discovery and development efforts, we cannot guarantee that products developed as a result of our competitors’ existing or future collaborations will not compete with our flavor ingredients.

Universities and public and private research institutions are also potential competitors. While these organizations primarily have educational objectives, they may develop proprietary technologies related to the sense of taste or secure patent protection that we may need for the development of our technologies and products. We may attempt to license these proprietary technologies, but these licenses may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all.

Methods for reducing sodium include the use of potassium chloride in combination with flavors and masking agents.  Although savory flavor enhancers, such as IMP, are commercially available, they are not very potent, are not patent protected and are sold as a commodity. The blocking of bitter taste is typically accomplished by attempting to mask the bitter taste with a sweetener or another flavor ingredient.  Although AMP has received GRAS determination, we do not believe this compound has been widely adopted into packaged food and beverage products.  However, our competitors, either alone or with their collaborative partners, may succeed in developing technologies or discovering flavor ingredients that are similar or preferable in the areas of, among others, effectiveness, safety, cost and ease of commercialization, and our competitors may obtain intellectual property protection or commercialize such products sooner than we do. Developments by others may render our product candidates or our technologies obsolete. In addition, our current product discovery and development collaborators are not prohibited from entering into research and development agreements with third parties in any particular field.

Patents and Proprietary Rights

We will be able to protect our proprietary rights from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that our proprietary rights are described by valid and enforceable patents or are effectively maintained as trade secrets. Accordingly, we are pursuing and will continue to pursue patent protection for our proprietary technologies. As of December 31, 2006 we are the owner or the exclusive licensee of 49 issued United States patents, 104 pending United States patent applications, 31 issued foreign patents and 209 pending foreign applications covering various aspects of our proprietary technology. Our issued patents have terms that expire in 2018 through 2024.

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Our policy is to file patent applications and to protect technologies, inventions and improvements to inventions that are commercially important to the development of our business. For example, we may seek patent protection for receptors and nucleic acid sequences encoding receptors that are involved in taste and the use of such receptors to identify ingredients that modulate taste. We also rely on trademarks to protect our proprietary technology. Generally, United States patents have a term of 17 years from the date of issue or 20 years from the earliest claimed priority date, whichever is later, for patents issued from applications filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office prior to June 8, 1995 or 20 years from the application filing date or earlier claimed priority date in the case of patents issued from applications filed on or after June 8, 1995. Patents in most other countries have a term of 20 years from the date of filing the patent application. Our success depends significantly upon our ability to develop ingredients and technologies that are protected by our intellectual property and that do not infringe any competitor patents. We intend to continue to file patent applications as we discover and develop new flavor ingredients and technologies.

Seeking and obtaining patents may provide some degree of protection for our intellectual property. However, our patent positions are highly uncertain and may involve complex legal and factual questions. No consistent standard regarding the allowability and enforceability of claims in many of the pending patent applications has emerged to date. As a result, we cannot predict the breadth of claims that will ultimately be allowed in our patent applications, if any, including those we in-licensed or how we may be able to enforce our patent claims against our competitors. In addition, we may not have been the first to file patent applications for or to invent inventions relating to the technologies upon which we rely, which would preclude us from obtaining issued patents on the relevant inventions. We are aware of other companies and academic institutions which have been performing research and have applied for patents in the area of mammalian taste. In particular, other companies and academic institutions have announced that they have identified taste receptors, published data on taste receptor sequence information or have filed patent applications on receptors and their use, including the University of California, Redpoint Bio, Monell Chemical Senses, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Pfizer, Virginia Commonwealth University, the California Institute of Technology, Duke University and the German Institute of Human Nutrition. If any of these companies or academic institutions are successful in obtaining broad patent claims, such patents could potentially block our ability to use various aspects of our discovery and development process and might prevent us from developing or commercializing newly discovered flavor ingredients or otherwise conducting our business.

We also rely in part on trade secret protection for our confidential and proprietary information and process. Our policy is to execute confidentiality agreements with our employees and consultants upon the commencement of an employment or consulting relationship. These agreements generally require that all confidential information developed by the individual or made known to the individual by us during the course of their employment shall be our exclusive property. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively enforce these agreements or that the subject proprietary information will not be disclosed.

We are not a party to any litigation, opposition, interference, or other potentially adverse ex parte or inter-party governmental or non-governmental proceeding with regard to our patent and trademark positions. However, if we become involved in litigation, interference proceedings, oppositions or other intellectual property proceedings, for example as a result of an alleged infringement, or a third-party alleging an earlier date of invention, we may have to spend significant amounts of money and time and, in the event of an adverse ruling, we could be subject to liability for damages, invalidation of our intellectual property and injunctive relief that could prevent us from using technologies or developing products, any of which could have a significant adverse effect on our business financial condition and results of operation. In addition, any claims relating to the infringement of third-party proprietary rights, or earlier date of invention, even if not meritorious, could result in costly litigation, lengthy governmental proceedings, divert management’s attention and resources and require us to enter royalty or license agreements which are not advantageous if available at all.

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Sales and Marketing

While we do not currently intend to establish internal sales and marketing capabilities, we are developing the capability to enable us to work closely with our collaborators and their suppliers in the incorporation of our flavor ingredients into their products.  Under our current collaboration agreements, our collaborators are responsible for sales, marketing, and distribution of any packaged food or beverage product incorporating our flavor ingredients. As a result, we expect to commercialize our flavor ingredients without incurring significant sales, marketing and distribution costs. Our six current collaborators, Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé, are recognized leaders in the sales, marketing and distribution of packaged food and beverage products.

Manufacturing

We intend to utilize third parties to manufacture our flavor ingredients. Under five of our existing product discovery and development collaborations, our collaborator may, in its sole discretion, manufacture itself or through a third party manufacturer the flavor ingredients it licenses from us. The remaining four collaborations require the collaborator to identify with us a mutually agreed upon third party to manufacture the flavor ingredients it licenses from us. In some of these agreements, we maintain either the first right of negotiation or an option to manufacture based on provisions within the agreement.

There are a number of reliable third party contract manufacturers available to produce our flavor ingredients. Our current product candidates are relatively simple structures making them easy and inexpensive to produce. We do not anticipate any capacity issues because of our low volume requirements and the number of reliable and available manufacturers.

Employees

As of December 31, 2006, we had 112 full-time employees, including 27 with Ph.D. degrees. Of our full-time workforce, 83 employees are engaged in research and development and 29 are engaged in business development, finance and administration. We also retain outside consultants. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining arrangements, and our management considers its relationships with our employees to be good. We have entered into employment letter agreements with Kent Snyder, Mark Zoller, Ph.D., Harry Leonhardt, Esq., John Poyhonen and Sharon Wicker, the terms of which are described in Item 11 of this Form 10-K.

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Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our executive officers and their ages as of December 31, 2006:

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Kent Snyder

 

53

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Mark J. Zoller, Ph.D.

 

53

 

Executive Vice President of Discovery & Development and Chief Scientific Officer

Harry J. Leonhardt, Esq.

 

50

 

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

John Poyhonen

 

46

 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial and Business Officer

Sharon Wicker

 

51

 

Senior Vice President of Commercial Development and Chief Strategy Officer

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Kent Snyder , President and Chief Executive Officer, joined us in June 2003 and has served as a member of our board of directors since that time. Prior to joining us, from October 2001 to June 2003, Mr. Snyder was retired. From July 1991 to October 2001, Mr. Snyder held various marketing and sales management positions with Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Pfizer company. Mr. Snyder was President of Global Commercial Operations at Agouron. Prior to holding the position of President of Global Commercial operations, Mr. Snyder served as Senior Vice President of Commercial Affairs and Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Snyder received his B.S. from the University of Kansas and his M.B.A. from Rockhurst College.

Mark J. Zoller, Ph.D ., joined us in March 2000 as Vice President of Research and was promoted to Executive Vice President of Discovery and Development and Chief Scientific Officer in January 2006, which position he still holds. From May 1992 to December 1999, Dr. Zoller held a number of scientific management positions at ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, most recently as Senior Vice President, Genomics and Scientific Director of the Hoechst-ARIAD Genomics Center, which in December 1999 was acquired by Aventis Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Zoller received his B.A. in Chemistry from Pomona College and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego.

Harry J. Leonhardt, Esq. , Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, joined us in September 2003 as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary and was promoted in January 2006 to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. From February 2001 to February 2003, Mr. Leonhardt served as Executive Vice President of Business Development, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Genoptix, Inc. From July 1996 to November 2000, Mr. Leonhardt held senior management positions with Nanogen, Inc. and served most recently as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Leonhardt received his B.S. degree from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Southern California Law Center.

John Poyhonen , Senior Vice President and Chief Financial and Business Officer, joined us in October 2003 as Vice President and Chief Business Officer and was promoted in April 2004 to Vice President, Chief Financial and Business Officer.  In January 2006, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Financial and Business Officer.  From 1996 until October 2003, Mr. Poyhonen served in various sales and marketing positions for Agouron Pharmaceuticals, a Pfizer company, most recently as Vice President of National Sales. Prior to holding this position, Mr. Poyhonen served as Vice President of Marketing and Vice President of National Accounts. Mr. Poyhonen received his B.A. in Marketing from Michigan State University and his M.B.A. from the University of Kansas.

Sharon Wicker, Senior Vice President of Commercial Development and Chief Strategy Officer, joined us in April 2006.  From 2003 to 2006, Ms. Wicker held various strategic marketing positions, most recently as President, Flavor Business Unit at A.M. Todd Company.  From 1999 to 2003, Ms. Wicker served as Vice President of Frozen Meals for Heinz North America.  From 1994 to 1999 Ms. Wicker served as Vice President and General Manager of the Meals Strategic Business Unit of ConAgra.  From 1984 to 1994 Ms. Wicker held a variety of marketing and general management positions for General Mills, including assignments as Brand Manager for Cheerios and Betty Crocker desserts. Ms. Wicker received her BS in Food Science and Nutrition from Colorado State University and her M.B.A. from Michigan State University.

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Item 1A.  Risk Factors

You should consider carefully the following information about the risks described below, together with the other information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K and in our other public filings, in evaluating our business. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects would likely be materially and adversely affected.  In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock would likely decline.

Risks Related To Our Business

We are dependent on our product discovery and development collaborators for all of our revenue and we are dependent on our current and any future product discovery and development collaborators to develop and commercialize any flavor ingredients we may discover.

A key element of our strategy is to commercialize our flavor ingredients through product discovery and development collaborations. To date, all of our revenue has been derived solely from research and development payments and milestone payments received under collaboration agreements with Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé. Substantially all of our revenue in the foreseeable future will result from these types of payments from these collaborations, unless we successfully commercialize a product candidate through these or other collaborators and earn royalties on future sales of consumer products incorporating our flavor ingredients.

Our agreement, as amended, with Campbell provides for research and development funding until March 2009 and gives Campbell the right to terminate the agreement earlier without cause, provided that it pay a specified termination fee if it terminates the agreement prior to March 28, 2009. Our agreement with Coca-Cola provides for research and development funding until April 2008, and gives Coca-Cola the right to conclude the collaborative program earlier for any reason upon payment to us of an early conclusion fee.  Our agreement with Kraft Foods provides for research and development funding until December 2008, and gives Kraft Foods the right to conclude the agreement earlier for any reason upon payment to us of additional specified research funding, if it terminates the agreement prior to December 2008, provided that Kraft Foods may conclude the agreement on December 9, 2007 without payment of additional research funding. Our initial agreement with Nestlé (as amended in April 2005) provides for research and development funding through April 2008 and gives Nestlé the right to terminate the agreement earlier without cause, provided that it pay additional specified research funding if it terminates the agreement prior to April 18, 2008.  Our most recent agreement with Nestlé regarding the discovery and commercialization of novel flavor ingredients in the coffee and coffee whitener fields provides for research and development funding through April 2010 and gives Nestlé the right to terminate the agreement earlier without cause on or after April 26, 2007, provided that it pay additional specified research funding if it terminates the agreement after April 26, 2007 but prior to April 26, 2010.  Our agreement with Cadbury Schweppes provides for research and development funding through July 2007, and gives Cadbury Schweppes the right to terminate the agreement earlier without cause upon 90 days’ written notice.  Our initial agreement with Ajinomoto provides for research and development funding through March 2009 and gives Ajinomoto the right to terminate the agreement without cause provided that it pay additional specified research funding if it terminates the agreement prior to March 23, 2009.  Our most recent agreement with Ajinomoto provides for research and development funding through October 2009 and gives Ajinomoto the right to terminate the agreement without cause provided that it pay additional specified research funding if it terminates the agreement prior to October 5, 2009.   If any or all of our material agreements with our collaborators expire or are terminated, our revenue would significantly decline and if all of our agreements expire or are terminated, our revenue would be substantially eliminated, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our collaborators may not renew their agreements with us or, if they do, they may not be on terms that are as favorable to us as our current agreements.

Our current collaboration agreements provide that we will receive royalties of up to 4% on our collaborators’ sales of products containing our flavor ingredients.  The actual royalties payable vary by agreement and depend on a number of factors including, for example, the product field, cost of goods

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savings, degree of flavor enhancement and sales volume of collaborator products incorporating our flavor ingredients.  It is possible that our collaborators will not incorporate our flavor ingredients into any or all of their products within their exclusive or co-exclusive product fields.

We do not currently have a commercialized product and cannot assure you we will have a commercialized product in the future, or at all. We will be dependent on our current and any other possible future collaborators to commercialize any flavor ingredients that we successfully develop and to provide the sales, marketing and distribution capabilities required for the success of our business. We have limited or no control over the amount and timing of resources that our current or any future collaborators may devote to our programs or potential products. Our collaborators may decide not to devote the necessary resources to the commercialization of our flavor ingredients, or may pursue a competitor’s product if our flavor ingredients do not have the characteristics desired by the collaborator. These characteristics include, among other things, enhancement properties, temperature stability, solubility, taste and cost. If these collaborators fail to conduct their commercialization, sales and marketing or distribution activities successfully and in a timely manner, we will earn little or no royalty revenues from our flavor ingredients and we will not be able to achieve our objectives or build a sustainable or profitable business.

Our present and any future product discovery and development collaboration opportunities could be harmed if:

·                   our existing or any future collaborators terminate their collaboration agreements with us prior to the expiration of the agreements;

·                   we do not achieve our research and development objectives under our collaboration agreements prior to the termination of the collaboration periods;

·                   we disagree with our collaborators as to the parties’ respective licensing rights to our flavor ingredients, methods or other intellectual property we develop;

·                   we are unable to manage multiple simultaneous collaborations;

·                   potential collaborators fail to spend their resources on research and development or commercialization of our flavor ingredients due to general market conditions or for any other reason; or

·                   consolidation in our target markets limits the number of potential collaborators.

We may not be able to negotiate additional collaboration agreements having terms satisfactory to us or at all.

We may not be able to enter into additional product discovery and development collaborations due to the exclusive nature of our current product discovery and development collaborations. Each of our current collaboration agreements provides that we will conduct research and development on flavor ingredients for use within one or more defined packaged food and beverage product fields on an exclusive or co-exclusive basis for the respective collaborator during the collaborative period specified in the agreement. Because each of these agreements is exclusive or co-exclusive, we will not be able to enter into a collaboration agreement with any other food and beverage company covering the same product field during the applicable collaborative period. In addition, our collaborators’ competitors may not wish to do business with us at all due to our relationship with our collaborators. If we are unable to enter into additional product discovery and development collaborations, our ability to sustain or expand our business will be significantly diminished.

We may not be successful in developing flavor ingredients useful for formulation into products.

We may not succeed in developing flavor ingredients with the appropriate attributes required for use in successful commercial products. Successful flavor ingredients require, among other things, appropriate biological activity, including the correct taste property for the product application, an acceptable safety profile, including lack of toxicity or allergenicity, and appropriate physical or chemical properties, including relative levels of stability, volatility and resistance to heat. Successful flavor ingredients must

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also be cost-efficient for our collaborators. We may not be able to develop flavor ingredients that meet these criteria.

If we or our collaborators are unable to obtain and maintain the GRAS determination required before certain of our flavor ingredients can be incorporated into products that are sold, we would be unable to commercialize our flavor ingredients and our business would be adversely affected.

In March 2005, we obtained a GRAS determination for four of our savory flavor ingredients.  Apart from these flavor ingredients, we do not have GRAS determination for any other flavor ingredient at this time. In the United States, the development, sale and incorporation of our flavor ingredients into products are subject to regulation by the FDA and in some instances other government bodies. Obtaining and maintaining a GRAS determination can be costly and take many years.

Depending on the amount or intended use of a particular flavor ingredient added to a product and the number of product categories in which the flavor ingredient will be incorporated, specific safety assessment protocols and regulatory processes must be satisfied before we or our collaborators can commercially market and sell products containing any flavor ingredients that we may discover. A key element of our strategy is to develop flavor ingredients that may be subject to review under the FEMA GRAS process.  In our experience with the savory program, safety studies, preparation and FEMA GRAS review took approximately 12 months and cost less than $1 million.  This experience may not be representative of the timing and cost for future programs.  This approach is less expensive than the alternative of filing a food additive petition with the FDA, approval of which can take up to four years. The FEMA GRAS process may take longer than 12 months and cost more than $1 million depending on the properties of the flavor ingredient, and if additional safety studies are requested by the FEMA Expert Panel or are necessary to explain unexpected safety study findings. There is a risk that one or more of our product candidates may not qualify for a FEMA GRAS determination. This may occur for a variety of reasons, including the flavor ingredient’s intended use, the amount of the flavor ingredient intended to be added to packaged foods and beverages, the number of product categories in which the flavor ingredient will be incorporated, whether the flavor ingredient imparts sweetness, the safety profile of the flavor ingredient and the FEMA Expert Panel’s interpretation of the safety data. Even if we obtain a GRAS determination with respect to a flavor ingredient, the FDA has the ability to challenge such determination, which could materially adversely affect our ability to market products on schedule or at all. In the event that a particular flavor ingredient does not qualify for FEMA GRAS determination, we could be required to pursue a lengthy FDA approval process or dedicate our development efforts to alternative ingredients, which would further delay commercialization. In addition, laws, regulations or FDA practice governing the regulatory approval process, the availability of the GRAS determination process or the manufacture or labeling of such products, may change in a manner that could adversely affect our ability to commercialize products on schedule or at all.

Sales of our flavor ingredients outside of the United States will be subject to foreign regulatory requirements. In most cases, whether or not a GRAS determination has been obtained, approval of a product by the comparable regulatory authorities of foreign countries must still be obtained prior to manufacturing or marketing the product in those countries. A GRAS determination in the United States or in any other jurisdiction does not ensure approval in other jurisdictions because the requirements from jurisdiction to jurisdiction may vary widely. Obtaining foreign approvals could result in significant delays, difficulties and costs for us and require additional safety studies and additional expenses. If we fail to comply with these regulatory requirements or to obtain and maintain required approvals, our ability to generate revenue will be diminished.

We and our collaborators may not be successful in overcoming these regulatory hurdles, which could result in product launch delays, unanticipated expenses, termination of collaborations, and flavor ingredients not being approved for incorporation into consumer products. These consequences would have a material adverse effect on our business financial condition and results of operations.

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If we or our collaborators are unable to obtain and maintain the regulatory approval required before any high potency sweeteners can be incorporated into products that are sold, we would be unable to commercialize our high potency sweeteners and our business would be adversely affected.

In the United States, the development, sale and incorporation of our high potency sweeteners into products are subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and in some instances other government bodies. Obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval can be costly and take many years.

Depending on the amount or intended use of a particular high potency sweetener added to a product and the number of product categories in which the high potency sweetener will be incorporated, specific safety assessment protocols and regulatory processes must be satisfied before we or our collaborators can commercially market and sell products containing any high potency sweeteners that we may discover. An element of our strategy is to develop high potency sweeteners that may be subject to review under the Food Additive Petition process, which encompasses filing a food additive petition with the FDA, approval of which can take up to four years or more and may cost up to $7 million or more.  Government resource constraints may also slow the review and approval process.  In addition, laws, regulations or FDA practice governing the regulatory approval process, the availability of the Food Additive Petition process or the manufacture or labeling of such products, may change in a manner that could adversely affect our ability to commercialize products on schedule or at all.

Sales of our high potency sweeteners outside of the United States will be subject to foreign regulatory requirements. In most cases, whether or not FDA approval has been obtained, approval of a product by the comparable regulatory authorities of foreign countries must still be obtained prior to manufacturing or marketing the product in those countries. A FDA approval in the United States or in any other jurisdiction does not ensure approval in other jurisdictions because the requirements from jurisdiction to jurisdiction may vary widely. Obtaining foreign approvals could result in significant delays, difficulties and costs for us and require additional safety studies and additional expenses. If we fail to comply with these regulatory requirements or to obtain and maintain required approvals, our ability to generate revenue will be diminished.

We and our collaborators may not be successful in overcoming these regulatory hurdles, which could result in product launch delays, unanticipated expenses, termination of collaborations, and high potency sweeteners not being approved for incorporation into consumer products. These consequences would have a material adverse effect on our business financial condition and results of operations.

Even if we or our collaborators receive regulatory approval and incorporate our flavor ingredients into products, those products may never be commercially successful.

Even if we discover and develop flavor ingredients that obtain the necessary GRAS determination or other regulatory approval, our success depends to a significant degree upon the commercial success of packaged food and beverage products incorporating those flavor ingredients. If these products fail to achieve or subsequently maintain market acceptance or commercial viability, our business would be significantly harmed because our royalty revenue is dependent upon consumer sales of these products. In addition, we could be unable to maintain our existing collaborations or attract new product discovery and development collaborators. Many factors may affect the market acceptance and commercial success of any potential products incorporating flavor ingredients that we may discover, including:

·                   health concerns, whether actual or perceived, or unfavorable publicity regarding our flavor ingredients or those of our competitors;

·                   the timing of market entry as compared to competitive products;

·                   the rate of adoption of products by our collaborators and other companies in the flavor industry; and

·                   any product labeling that may be required by the FDA or other United States or foreign regulatory agencies for products incorporating our flavor ingredients.

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We have a history of operating losses and we may not achieve or maintain profitability.

We have not been profitable and have generated substantial operating losses since we were incorporated in September 1998. We incurred net losses of approximately $23.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. As of December 31, 2006, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $127.3 million. We expect to incur additional losses for at least the next two years. The extent of our future losses will depend, in part, on the rate of increase in our operating expenses and the rate of growth, if any, in our revenue from our existing and any future product discovery and development collaborations as well as from other sources that may become available to us in the future and on the level of our expenses. To date, our revenue has come solely from research and development funding, upfront fees, cost reimbursement and milestone payments under our product discovery and development collaboration agreements with Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé. In order for us to generate royalty revenue and become profitable, we must retain our existing product discovery and development collaborations and our collaborators must commercialize products incorporating one or more of our flavor ingredients, from which we can derive royalty revenues. Our ability to generate royalty revenue is uncertain and will depend upon our ability to meet particular research, development and commercialization objectives.

We expect that our results of operations will fluctuate from period to period, and this fluctuation could cause our stock price to decline.

Our operating results have fluctuated in the past and are likely to vary significantly in the future based upon a number of factors, many of which we have little or no control over. We operate in a highly dynamic industry and future results could be subject to significant fluctuations. These fluctuations could cause us to fail to meet or exceed financial expectations of securities analysts or investors, which could cause our stock price to decline rapidly and significantly. Revenue and expenses in future periods may be greater or less than revenue and expenses in the immediately preceding period or in the comparable period of the prior year. Therefore, period-to-period comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily a good indication of our future performance. Some of the factors that could cause our operating results to fluctuate include:

·                   termination of any of our product discovery and development collaboration agreements;

·                   our ability to discover and develop flavor ingredients or the ability of our product discovery and development collaborators to incorporate them into packaged food and beverage products;

·                   our receipt of milestone payments in any particular period;

·                   the ability and willingness of collaborators to commercialize products incorporating our flavor ingredients on expected timelines, or at all;

·                   our ability to enter into new product discovery and development collaborations and technology collaborations or to extend the terms of our existing collaboration agreements and our payment obligations, expected revenue and other terms of any other agreements of this type;

·                   our ability, or our collaborators’ ability, to successfully satisfy all pertinent regulatory requirements;

·                   the demand for our collaborators’ products containing our flavor ingredients; and

·                   general and industry specific economic conditions, which may affect our collaborators’ research and development expenditures.

Changes in financial accounting standards related to stock-based compensation expenses have had and are expected to have a significant effect on our reported results.

On January 1, 2006 we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 123R, Share-Based Payment , which requires that we record compensation expense in the statement of operations for stock-based payments, such as employee stock options, using the fair value method. The adoption of the standard is expected to continue to have a significant effect on our reported earnings, although it will not affect our cash flows, and could adversely impact our ability to provide accurate guidance on our projected

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future financial results due to the variability of the factors used to establish the value of stock options.  If factors change and we employ different assumptions or different valuation methods in the application of SFAS 123R in future periods, the compensation expense that we record under SFAS 123R may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period, which could negatively affect our stock price and our stock price volatility.

Compliance with regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure may result in additional expenses.

Laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, SEC regulations and NASDAQ Stock Market rules, are costly to comply with.  Our efforts to comply with these laws, regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, general and administrative expense and management time related to compliance activities.  In particular, our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding our required assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting and our external auditors’ audit of that assessment requires the commitment of significant financial and managerial resources. If our efforts to comply with laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies, our reputation may be harmed and we might be subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, such as the SEC. Any such action could adversely affect our financial results and the market price of our common stock.

We may need to obtain additional capital to fund our operations.

If we are unable to successfully commercialize our flavor ingredients, we may need to obtain additional capital or change our strategy to continue our operations. In addition, our business and operations may change in a manner that would consume available resources at a greater rate than anticipated. In such event, we may need to raise substantial additional capital to, among other things:

·                   fund new research, discovery or development programs;

·                   advance additional product candidates into and through the regulatory approval process; and

·                   acquire rights to products or product candidates, technologies or businesses.

If we require additional capital to continue our operations, we cannot assure you that additional financing will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, our ability to fund our operations, take advantage of opportunities, identify and develop flavor ingredients, develop technologies or otherwise respond to competitive pressures could be significantly limited. In addition, if financing is not available, we may need to alter our strategy or cease operations. In addition, issuances of debt or additional equity could impact the rights of the holders of our common stock, may dilute our stockholders’ ownership and may impose restrictions on our operations. These restrictions could include limitations on additional borrowing, specific restrictions on the use of our assets as well as prohibitions on our ability to create liens, pay dividends, redeem our stock or make investments.

If we lose our key personnel or are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, it could adversely affect our business.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of our executive officers, management and scientific staff. If we lose the services of one or more of these people and, in particular, Kent Snyder, our President and Chief Executive Officer, or Mark Zoller, Ph.D., our Executive Vice President of Discovery & Development and Chief Scientific Officer, the relationships we have with our collaborators would likely be negatively impacted and we may be delayed or unable to develop new product candidates, commercialize our existing product candidates or achieve our other business objectives, any of which could cause our stock price to decline. We have entered into employment letter agreements with the following executive officers: Kent Snyder, Mark Zoller, Ph.D., Harry Leonhardt, Esq., our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, John Poyhonen, our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial and Business Officer and Sharon Wicker, our Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. 

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All of our employees are at-will employees, which means that either we or the employee may terminate their employment at any time. We currently have no key person insurance.

In addition, our discovery and development programs depend on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled scientists, including molecular biologists, biochemists, chemists and engineers. We may not be able to attract or retain qualified employees in the future due to the intense competition for qualified personnel among technology-based businesses, particularly in the San Diego area. We also face competition from universities and public and private research institutions in recruiting and retaining highly qualified scientific and management personnel. If we are not able to attract and retain the necessary personnel to accomplish our business objectives, we may experience constraints that will adversely affect our ability to meet the demands of our current or any future product discovery and development collaborators in a timely fashion or to support our independent discovery and development programs.

We may encounter difficulties managing our growth, which could adversely affect our business.

Our strategy includes entering into and working on simultaneous flavor ingredient discovery and development programs across multiple markets. We increased the number of our full-time employees from seven on December 31, 1999 to 112 on December 31, 2006 and we expect to continue to grow to meet our strategic objectives. If our growth continues, it will continue to place a strain on us, our management and our resources. Our ability to effectively manage our operations, growth and various projects requires us to continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures and to attract and retain sufficient numbers of talented employees. We may not be able to successfully implement these tasks on a larger scale and, accordingly, we may not achieve our research, development and commercialization goals.  If we fail to improve our operational, financial and management information systems, or fail to effectively monitor or manage our new and future employees or our growth, our business would suffer significantly. In addition, no assurance can be made that we will be able to maintain adequate facilities to house our staff, conduct our research or achieve our business objectives.

We will rely on third parties to manufacture our flavor ingredients on a commercial scale.

We do not have experience in manufacturing, nor do we have the resources or facilities to manufacture, flavor ingredients on a commercial scale. Therefore, the commercialization of our flavor ingredients will depend in part on our or our collaborators’ ability to contract with third-party manufacturers of our flavor ingredients on a large scale, at a competitive cost, with the specified quality and in accordance with relevant food and beverage regulatory requirements. Any such third-party manufacturers may encounter manufacturing difficulties at any time that could result in delays in the commercialization of potential flavor ingredients. Our inability to find capable third-party manufacturers or to enter into agreements on acceptable terms with third-party manufacturers could delay commercialization of any products we may develop and may harm our relationships with our existing and any future product discovery and development collaborators and our customers. Moreover, if we are required to change from one third-party manufacturer to another for any reason, the commercialization of our products may be delayed further. In addition, if third-party manufacturers fail to comply with the FDA’s good manufacturing practice regulations or similar regulations in other countries, then we may be subject to adverse regulatory action including product recalls, warning letters and withdrawal of our products, or our collaborators’ or customers’ products, from the market.

Further, because our flavor ingredients are regulated as food products under the FD&C Act, we and the third parties with which we collaborate or contract to manufacture, process, pack, import or otherwise handle our products or our product ingredients, may be required to comply with certain registration, prior notice submission, recordkeeping and other regulatory requirements. Failure of any party in the chain of distribution to comply with any applicable requirements under the FD&C Act or the FDA’s implementing regulations, or similar regulations in other countries, may adversely affect the manufacture and/or distribution of our products in commerce.

30




If we acquire products, technologies or other businesses, we will incur a variety of costs, may have integration difficulties and may experience numerous other risks that could adversely affect our business.

If appropriate opportunities become available, we may consider acquiring businesses, technologies or products that we believe are a strategic fit with our business. We currently have no commitments or agreements with respect to, and are not actively seeking, any material acquisitions. We have limited experience in identifying acquisition targets, successfully acquiring them and integrating them into our current infrastructure. We may not be able to successfully integrate any businesses, products, technologies or personnel that we might acquire in the future without a significant expenditure of operating, financial and management resources, if at all. In addition, future acquisitions might be funded by issuances of additional debt or equity, which could impact your rights as a holder of our common stock and may dilute your ownership percentage. Any of the foregoing could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related To Our Industry

Our ability to compete in the flavor ingredient market may decline if we do not adequately protect our proprietary technologies.

Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property that protects our technologies and flavor ingredients. Patent positions may be highly uncertain and may involve complex legal and factual questions, including the ability to establish patentability of sequences relating to taste receptors, proteins, chemical synthesis techniques, compounds and methods for using them to modulate taste for which we seek patent protection. No consistent standard regarding the allowability or enforceability of claims in many of our pending patent applications has emerged to date. As a result, we cannot predict the breadth of claims that will ultimately be allowed in our patent applications, if any, including those we have in-licensed or the extent to which we may enforce these claims against our competitors. The degree of future protection for our proprietary rights is therefore highly uncertain and we cannot assure you that:

·                   we were the first to file patent applications or to invent the subject matter claimed in patent applications relating to the technologies upon which we rely;

·                   others will not independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies;

·                   others did not publicly disclose our claimed technology before we conceived the subject matter included in any of our patent applications;

·                   any of our patent applications will result in issued patents;

·                   any of our patent applications will not result in interferences or disputes with third parties regarding priority of invention;

·                   any patents that have issued or may be issued to us, our collaborators or our licensors will provide a basis for commercially viable products or will provide us with any competitive advantages or will not be challenged by third parties;

·                   we will develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable;

·                   the patents of others will not have an adverse effect on our ability to do business; or

·                   new proprietary technologies from third parties, including existing licensors, will be available for licensing to us on reasonable commercial terms, if at all.

In addition, patent law outside the United States is uncertain and in many countries intellectual property laws are undergoing review and revision. The laws of some countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as domestic laws. It may be necessary or useful for us to participate in opposition proceedings to determine the validity of our competitors’ patents or to defend the validity of any of our or our licensors’ future patents, which could result in substantial costs and would divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business.

31




Technologies licensed to us by others, or in-licensed technologies, are important to our business. In particular, we depend on high-throughput screening technologies that we licensed from Aurora Biosciences, technology related to certain taste receptor sequences that we license from the University of California and others and technology related to compound libraries that we license from third parties. In addition, we may in the future acquire rights to additional technologies by licensing such rights from existing licensors or from third parties. Such in-licenses may be costly. Also, we generally do not control the patent prosecution, maintenance or enforcement of in-licensed technologies. Accordingly, we are unable to exercise the same degree of control over this intellectual property as we do over our internally developed technologies. Moreover, some of our academic institution licensors, collaborators and scientific advisors have rights to publish data and information to which we have rights. If we cannot maintain the confidentiality of our technologies and other confidential information in connection with our collaborations, our ability to protect our proprietary information or obtain patent protection in the future may be impaired, which could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Many of the patent applications we and our licensors have filed have not yet been substantively examined and may not result in patents being issued.

Many of the patent applications filed by us and our licensors were filed recently with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and most have not been substantively examined and may not result in patents being issued. Some of these patent applications claim sequences that were identified from different publicly available sequence information sources such as the High-Throughput Genomic Sequences division of GenBank. It is difficult to predict whether any of our or our licensors’ applications will ultimately be found to be patentable or, if so, to predict the scope of any allowed claims. In addition, the disclosure in our or our licensors’ patent applications, particularly in respect of the utility of our claimed inventions, may not be sufficient to meet the statutory requirements for patentability in all cases. As a result, it is difficult to predict whether any of our or our licensors’ applications will be allowed, or, if so, to predict the scope of any allowed claims or the enforceability of the patents. Even if enforceable, others may be able to design around any patents or develop similar technologies that are not within the scope of such patents. Our and our licensors’ patent applications may not issue as patents that will provide us with any protection or competitive advantage.

Disputes concerning the infringement or misappropriation of our proprietary rights or the proprietary rights of others could be time consuming and extremely costly and could delay our research and development efforts.

Our commercial success, if any, will be significantly harmed if we infringe the patent rights of third parties or if we breach any license or other agreements that we have entered into with regard to our technology or business.

We are aware of other companies and academic institutions that have been performing research in the areas of taste modulation and flavor ingredients. In particular, other companies and academic institutions have announced that they have conducted taste-receptor research and have published data on taste receptor sequence information and taste receptors or filed patent applications or obtained patent protection on taste modulation or taste receptors and their uses, including Redpoint Bio, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, the University of California, Monell Chemical Senses Corp., Pfizer, Inc.,  International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Givaudan SA, Symrise, Unilever, Firmenich, Tate & Lyle, NutraSweet, Ajinomoto, Cargill, Virginia Commonwealth University and the German Institute of Human Nutrition. To the extent any of these companies or academic institutions currently have, or obtain in the future, broad patent claims, such patents could block our ability to use various aspects of our discovery and development process and might prevent us from developing or commercializing newly discovered flavor ingredients or otherwise conducting our business. The University of California, for example, claims certain patent rights relating to the coexpression of T1R receptors that may not have been licensed to us. While our technology is focused on the use of human T1R receptors, we cannot assure you that it does not infringe such patent rights.  In such event, if we are not able to amend our license with the University of California to include such patent rights and our technology is found to interfere with or infringe such patent rights, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer a significant adverse effect.  In addition,

32




it is possible that some of the flavor ingredients that are discovered using our technology may not be patentable or may be covered by intellectual property of third parties.

We are not currently a party to any litigation, interference, opposition, protest, reexamination, reissue or any other potentially adverse governmental, ex parte or inter-party proceeding with regard to our patent or trademark positions.  However, the life sciences and other technology industries are characterized by extensive litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights. Many life sciences and other technology companies have employed intellectual property litigation as a way to gain a competitive advantage. If we become involved in litigation, interference proceedings, oppositions, reexamination, protest or other potentially adverse intellectual property proceedings as a result of alleged infringement by us of the rights of others or as a result of priority of invention disputes with third parties, we might have to spend significant amounts of money, time and effort defending our position and we may not be successful. In addition, any claims relating to the infringement of third-party proprietary rights or proprietary determinations, even if not meritorious, could result in costly litigation, lengthy governmental proceedings, divert management’s attention and resources, or require us to enter into royalty or license agreements that are not advantageous to us.

Should any person have filed patent applications or obtained patents that claim inventions also claimed by us, we may have to participate in an interference proceeding declared by the relevant patent regulatory agency to determine priority of invention and, thus, the right to a patent for these inventions in the United States. Such a proceeding could result in substantial cost to us even if the outcome is favorable. Even if successful on priority grounds, an interference action may result in loss of claims based on patentability grounds raised in the interference action. Litigation, interference proceedings or other proceedings could divert management’s time and efforts. Even unsuccessful claims could result in significant legal fees and other expenses, diversion of management’s time and disruption in our business. Uncertainties resulting from initiation and continuation of any patent proceeding or related litigation could harm our ability to compete and could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

An adverse ruling arising out of any intellectual property dispute, including an adverse decision as to the priority of our inventions, could undercut or invalidate our intellectual property position. An adverse ruling could also subject us to significant liability for damages, including possible treble damages, prevent us from using technologies or developing products, or require us to negotiate licenses to disputed rights from third parties. Although patent and intellectual property disputes in the technology area are often settled through licensing or similar arrangements, costs associated with these arrangements may be substantial and could include license fees and ongoing royalties. Furthermore, necessary licenses may not be available to us on satisfactory terms, if at all. Failure to obtain a license in such a case could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are unable to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information, we could lose any competitive advantage we may have, which could adversely affect our business.

We rely in part on trade secret protection for our confidential and proprietary information, know how and processes. Our policy is to execute proprietary information and invention agreements with our employees and consultants upon the commencement of an employment or consulting relationship. These agreements generally require that all confidential information developed by the individual or made known to the individual by us during the course of the individual’s relationship with us be kept confidential and not be disclosed to third parties. These agreements also generally provide that inventions conceived by the individual in the course of their employment shall be our exclusive property. There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively enforce these agreements or that proprietary information is our exclusive property. There can be no assurance that the subject proprietary information will not be disclosed, that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or that we can meaningfully protect our trade secrets. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights, and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive business position.

33




Many potential competitors, including those who have greater resources and experience than we do, may develop products or technologies that make ours obsolete or noncompetitive.

The life sciences and other technology industries are characterized by rapid technological change, and the area of sensory or taste receptor research is a rapidly evolving field. Our future success will depend on our ability to maintain a competitive position with respect to technological advances. Technological developments by others may result in our flavor ingredients and technologies becoming obsolete.

In particular, we face substantial competition from companies pursuing the commercialization of products and services relevant to taste using more traditional methods for the discovery of flavor ingredients, or for the reduction of salt, sugar, MSG or bitter taste. These competitors include leading flavor companies, such as International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Givaudan SA, Symrise, Quest International and Firmenich. We currently compete and will continue to compete in the future with these companies in collaborating with and selling flavor products and technologies to manufacturers of packaged food and beverage products. Many of these companies have substantially greater capital resources, research and development resources and experience, manufacturing capabilities, regulatory expertise, sales and marketing resources, established relationships with consumer products companies and production facilities.

Savory flavor enhancers, particularly IMP, are commercially available, and we will compete with the companies that produce these flavors. IMP is widely available and is a generally accepted food additive by the packaged food and beverage industry. As a result, our existing and future collaborators may choose to incorporate IMP or similar savory flavor enhancers into their packaged food and beverage products instead of our savory flavor ingredients.  In addition, we may compete with bitter masking or bitter blocking compounds, such as AMP.

We may in the future face competition from life sciences and other technology companies and other commercial enterprises. These entities engage as we do in biotechnology, biology or chemistry and could apply this technology to the discovery and development of flavor ingredients. We are aware of one other company, Redpoint Bio, a privately-held company that we believe is involved in research on sweetness potentiators, salt substitutes and bitter blockers, specifically AMP, and has announced research and development collaborations with several companies. We cannot guarantee that products developed as a result of our competitors’ existing or future collaborations will not compete with our flavor ingredients.

Universities and public and private research institutions are also potential competitors. While these organizations primarily have educational objectives, they may develop proprietary technologies related to the sense of taste or secure patent protection that we may need for the development of our technologies and products. We may attempt to license these proprietary technologies, but these licenses may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all.

Our competitors, either alone or with their collaborative partners, may succeed in developing technologies or discovering flavor ingredients that are more effective, safer, more affordable or more easily commercialized than ours, and our competitors may obtain intellectual property protection or commercialize products sooner than we do. Developments by others may render our product candidates or our technologies obsolete. In addition, our current product discovery and development collaborators are not prohibited from entering into research and development collaboration agreements with third parties in any product field. Our failure to compete effectively would have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be sued for product liability, which could adversely affect our business.

Because our business strategy involves the development and sale by our collaborators of commercial products incorporating our flavor ingredients, we may be sued for product liability. We may be held liable if any product we develop and commercialize, or any product our collaborators commercialize that incorporates any of our flavor ingredients, causes injury or is found otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing, sale or consumer use. In addition, the safety studies we must perform and the regulatory approvals we must obtain prior to incorporating our flavor ingredients into a commercial product will not protect us from any such liability.

34




If we and our collaborators commence sale of commercial products we will need to obtain product liability insurance, and this insurance may be prohibitively expensive, or may not fully cover our potential liabilities. Inability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage at an acceptable cost or otherwise to protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of products developed by us or our product discovery and development collaborators. We may be obligated to indemnify our product discovery and development collaborators for product liability or other losses they incur as a result of our flavor ingredients. Any indemnification we receive from such collaborators for product liability that does not arise from our flavor ingredients may not be sufficient to satisfy our liability to injured parties. If we are sued for any injury caused by our flavor ingredients or products incorporating our flavor ingredients, our liability could exceed our total assets.

We use hazardous materials. Any claims relating to improper handling, storage or disposal of these materials could be time consuming and costly.

Our discovery and development process requires our employees to routinely handle hazardous chemical, radioactive and biological materials. Our operations also produce hazardous waste products. Federal, state and local laws and regulations govern the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these materials. As a result of the increase in size of our operations, we are now classified as a large quantity generator of hazardous waste. This classification may result in increased scrutiny of our operations by the Environmental Protection Agency. Compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations may be expensive, and current or future environmental regulations may impair our discovery and development efforts.

In addition, we cannot entirely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or discharge and any resultant injury from these materials. Our insurance policies have limited coverage for damages or cleanup costs related to hazardous waste disposal or contamination. We may be forced to curtail operations or be sued for any injury or contamination that results from our use or the use by others of these materials, and our liability may exceed our total assets.

Risks Related To Our Common Stock

The price of our common stock is volatile.

The market prices for securities of biotechnology companies historically have been highly volatile, and the market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. Since our initial public offering in June 2004, the price of our common stock has ranged from approximately $5 per share to approximately $23 per share. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate in response to many factors, including:

·                   developments concerning our collaborative agreements;

·                   delays in commercialization of our flavor ingredients;

·                   results of safety evaluation of our flavor ingredients;

·                   developments related to the United States and international regulatory approval of our products;

·                   results of consumer acceptance testing of our flavor ingredients by our collaborators;

·                   announcements of technological innovations by us or others;

·                   developments in patent or other proprietary rights;

·                   future sales of our common stock by existing stockholders;

·                   comments by securities analysts;

·                   general market conditions;

·                   fluctuations in our operating results;

·                   government regulation;

·                   failure of any of our flavor ingredients, if approved, to achieve commercial success; and

·                   public concern as to the safety of our flavor ingredients.

35




Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law may make an acquisition of us more complicated and the removal and replacement of our directors and management more difficult.

Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. These provisions may also make it difficult for stockholders to remove and replace our board of directors and management. These provisions:

·                   authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock by our board of directors, without stockholder approval, which could increase the number of outstanding shares and prevent or delay a takeover attempt;

·                   limit who may call a special meeting of stockholders;

·                   prohibit stockholder action by written consent, thereby requiring all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of our stockholders; and

·                   establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholder meetings.

In addition, the requirements of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law may discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us.

Our shareholder rights plan may hinder or prevent change of control transactions.

Our shareholder rights plans may discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in our ownership.  In addition, our board of directors may issue shares of preferred stock without any further action by you.  Such issuances may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in our ownership.  If changes in our ownership are discouraged, delayed or prevented, it would be more difficult for our current board of directors to be removed and replaced, even if you and other stockholders believe such actions are in the best interests of us and our stockholders.

We have never paid cash dividends on our capital stock and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

We have paid no cash dividends on any of our classes of capital stock to date, and we currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit facility may preclude us from paying any dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of potential gain for the foreseeable future.

36




 

Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.     Properties

We currently lease approximately 64,000 square feet of laboratory and office space at 4767 Nexus Center Drive, San Diego, California, 92121.  Our lease for this facility expires on February 28, 2017. Commencing April 1, 2007, our current monthly lease obligations for rent will be approximately $192,000. Until April 1, 2007, we are not required to pay rent.  We are responsible for expenses associated with the use and maintenance of the building, such as utilities and common area maintenance. These costs will vary each month, and we expect that these costs will be approximately $101,000 per month.

We believe that our facilities are adequate to meet our business requirements for the near-term and that additional space will be available on commercially reasonable terms, if required.

Item 3.     Legal Proceedings

We are not a party to any material legal proceedings at this time.

Item 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of our security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2006.

37




 

PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Common Stock Market Price

Our common stock commenced trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market on June 22, 2004 under the symbol “SNMX.” The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market for the periods indicated.

Fiscal 2006 Quarter ended

 

March 31,
2006

 

June 30,
2006

 

September
30, 2006

 

December 31,
2006

 

High

 

$

17.08

 

$

16.59

 

$

15.75

 

$

19.00

 

Low

 

$

11.87

 

$

11.36

 

$

12.01

 

$

12.35

 

 

Fiscal 2005 Quarter ended

 

March 31,
2005

 

June 30,
2005

 

September
30, 2005

 

December 31,
2005

 

High

 

$

13.73

 

$

16.84

 

$

22.80

 

$

17.05

 

Low

 

$

7.91

 

$

9.99

 

$

16.01

 

$

11.50

 

 

The last sale price for our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market on January 31, 2007 was $14.62 per share.  As of January 31, 2007, there were approximately 73 shareholders of record of our common stock.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends to our shareholders. We do not presently plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future and intend to retain any future earnings for reinvestment in our business.

Information about our equity compensation plans is included in Item 12 of Part III of this annual report.

Repurchases of Equity Securities

There were no repurchases of equity securities in the fourth quarter of 2006.

38




 

Item 6.    Selected Financial Data

The Statement of Operations Data and Balance Sheet Data presented below should be read in conjunction with Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Item 8, Financial Statement included in this annual report on Form 10-K.  Amounts are in thousands, except share and per share amounts.

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Statements of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue under collaborative agreements

 

$

12,230

 

$

9,385

 

$

8,347

 

$

9,537

 

$

7,327

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

25,393

 

20,330

 

18,318

 

18,095

 

18,175

 

General and administrative

 

13,735

 

10,229

 

10,178

 

9,093

 

4,312

 

Total operating expenses

 

39,128

 

30,559

 

28,496

 

27,188

 

22,487

 

Loss from operations

 

(26,898

)

(21,174

)

(20,149

)

(17,651

)

(15,160

)

Interest income, net

 

3,841

 

1,344

 

435

 

198

 

339

 

Net loss

 

$

(23,057

)

$

(19,830

)

$

(19,714

)

$

(17,453

)

$

(14,821

)

Basic and diluted net loss per share(1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historical

 

$

(0.77

)

$

(0.77

)

$

(1.40

)

$

(10.03

)

$

(9.60

)

Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.89

)

$

(0.97

)

 

 

Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share(1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historical

 

29,809,854

 

25,916,229

 

14,040,727

 

1,739,380

 

1,544,268

 

Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

 

22,143,380

 

17,944,686

 

 

 

 


(1)           Please see Note 1 to our financial statements for an explanation of the method used to calculate the historical and pro forma net loss per share and the number of shares used in the computation of the per share amounts.  The pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share gives effect to the conversion of our convertible preferred stock into shares of common stock as if converted at the date of original issuance.

39




 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and investments available-for-sale

 

$

74,104

 

$

83,813

 

$

40,847

 

$

17,058

 

$

27,586

 

Working capital

 

65,455

 

80,178

 

36,841

 

15,160

 

22,667

 

Total assets

 

90,182

 

88,531

 

43,802

 

20,440

 

34,720

 

Long-term obligations

 

 

 

 

 

906

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(127,283

)

(104,226

)

(84,396

)

(64,682

)

(47,229

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

69,477

 

82,445

 

38,373

 

17,104

 

28,219

 

 

Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Financial Statements and the related Notes to Financial Statements in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Certain statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K, including statements regarding the development, growth and expansion of our business, our intent, belief or current expectations, primarily with respect to our future operating performance, and the products we expect to offer and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the “safe harbor” created by these sections. Future filings with the SEC, future press releases and future oral or written statements made by us or with our approval, which are not statements of historical fact, may also contain forward-looking statements. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements can be found under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they are made.

Overview and Recent Developments

We are a leading company focused on using proprietary taste receptor-based assays, screening technologies and optimization chemistry to discover and develop novel flavor ingredients for the packaged food and beverage industry.  We believe our flavor ingredients will enable packaged food and beverage companies to improve the nutritional profile of their products while maintaining or enhancing taste and may generate cost of goods savings.  We license our flavor ingredients to our collaborators on an exclusive or co-exclusive basis, which we believe will provide these companies with the ability to differentiate their products.  We have entered into product discovery and development collaborations with six of the world’s leading packaged food and beverage companies: Ajinomoto, Cadbury, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft and Nestlé.  We currently anticipate that we will derive all of our revenues from existing and future collaborations.  Depending upon the collaboration, our existing collaboration agreements provide for upfront fees, research and development funding, reimbursement of certain regulatory costs, milestone payments based upon our achievement of research or development goals and, in the event of commercialization, royalties on future sales of consumer products incorporating our flavor ingredients.  Our current programs focus on the development of savory, sweet and salt flavor enhancers, high potency sweeteners and bitter taste modulators.

We have incurred significant losses since our inception in 1998 and, as of December 31, 2006 our accumulated deficit was $127.3 million.  We expect to incur additional losses over at least the next two years as we continue to develop flavor ingredients.  Our results of operations have fluctuated from period to

40




period and likely will continue to fluctuate substantially in the future based upon:

·                   termination of any of our product discovery and development collaboration agreements;

·                   our ability to discover and develop new flavor ingredients or the ability of our product discovery and development collaborators to incorporate them into their products;

·                   our ability to enter into new, or extend existing, product discovery and development collaborations and technology collaborations;

·                   the demand for our collaborators’ products containing our flavor ingredients; and

·                   variability of our stock-based compensation expense in conjunction with fluctuations of our stock price.

In January 2006 we entered into a Lease Agreement with ARE-NEXUS CENTRE II, LLC, or the Nexus Lease.  Under the terms of the Nexus Lease, we are now leasing approximately 64,000 square feet of office, research and development space at 4767 Nexus Centre Drive, San Diego, California for a term commencing in late November 2006 with rent commencing April 1, 2007 and ending on February 28, 2017.  We have the right to extend the term of the Nexus Lease for an additional five years, and we have the right to terminate the Nexus Lease early effective March 31, 2014 upon payment of an early termination fee. In connection with the execution of the Nexus Lease, in January 2006 we amended our existing lease with ARE-11099 North Torrey Pines, LLC for the property located at 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California to provide for the extension of the lease term, subject to certain limitations, until we move all of our operations to the new location.  The majority of our operations were moved to the new facility in November 2006.  We expect to move the remainder of our operations to the new facility in the first quarter of 2007.

In February 2006, we amended our existing agreement with Campbell to extend the collaborative research phase for an additional research phase of up to three years, through March 2009. During the extension period, we will continue to work with Campbell on the discovery and commercialization of new ingredients that improve the taste of wet soups and savory beverages. Under the terms of the extension, Campbell has agreed to pay us incremental research funding of up to $3.0 million, assuming we meet specified research goals, over the extension period. The other payment terms of the existing agreement, including milestones and royalties based on net sales of products using the new ingredients, remain unchanged.

In March 2006, we entered into a Collaborative Research, Development, Commercialization and License Agreement with Ajinomoto. for the discovery and commercialization of novel flavor ingredients on an exclusive basis in the soup, sauce and culinary aids, and noodle product categories, and on a co-exclusive basis in the bouillon product category within Japan and other Asian markets.  Under the terms of the new collaboration, Ajinomoto has agreed to pay us an upfront license fee and discovery and development funding for up to three years.  In addition, we are eligible to receive milestone payments upon achievement of specific product discovery and development goals. The combined total of upfront license fees, research funding and milestone payments could exceed $8.3 million if all milestones are met. Upon commercialization, we will receive royalty payments based on sales of products containing flavor ingredients developed under the agreement.

In March 2006, we amended our existing discovery and development collaboration with Nestlé, originally entered into in 2002, to include commercialization of novel flavors and flavor enhancers in the pet food category on a worldwide, co-exclusive basis.  In addition to the expansion, the agreement with Nestlé has been amended to allow us to reacquire rights to certain of our flavor ingredients in certain geographic regions. As a result of this amendment, Nestlé now has rights to flavor ingredients in Europe, Asia, Israel, Oceania, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America in specified product categories within the dehydrated and culinary food, frozen food and/or wet soup product categories, as well as worldwide rights for the pet food category, while we have reacquired certain rights in North America and other geographic regions in specified product categories.

In October 2006, we entered into a second Collaborative Research, Commercialization and License Agreement with Ajinomoto for the discovery and commercialization of specified natural flavor

41




ingredients.  Under the terms of the agreement, Ajinomoto has agreed to pay us research funding for up to three years based on research progress during the collaborative period.  In addition, we are eligible to receive payments upon achievement of specific milestones. The combined total of research funding and milestone payments could exceed $2.8 million if all milestones are met. Upon commercialization, we will receive payments based on sales of products containing new flavor ingredients developed under the agreement.

In March 2000, we entered into a license agreement with The Regents of the University of California under which we obtained exclusive rights to certain technologies held by the University of California that are involved in the biology of taste, including specified receptors in two taste receptor families, T1Rs, and T2Rs.  In October 2006, we entered into an amended and restated license agreement to include certain additional related technologies.  As with the original license agreement, the amended and restated license agreement calls for annual maintenance fees and royalties on sales of any products developed using the technologies licensed under the agreement.  Royalties will accrue in each country for as long as there exists a valid patent claim covering a product developed under the agreement.  The agreement will remain in effect until the expiration of the last to expire patent licensed under the agreement.

Revenue

We derive revenue from our product discovery and development collaborations. To date, our revenue has come solely from upfront fees, research and development funding, reimbursement of certain regulatory costs and milestone payments under our product discovery and development collaboration agreements with Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé. As of December 31, 2006, we have recognized cumulative revenue under our collaborations of $49.2 million. If any of these collaborative agreements were to be terminated, this could have a significant effect on future revenues.

From our inception date to the present, research and development payments represented the primary source of our revenue. Based on current collaborations, we anticipate that substantially all of our revenues in the near future will be derived from research and development payments, and we may receive additional milestone payments in the future upon the achievement of certain goals set forth in our collaboration agreements.

In addition, in the event our collaborators launch products incorporating our flavor ingredients, we will receive royalty payments based upon the future sales of those products, which, if received, could be significantly larger than research and development funding or milestone payments. In order for us to generate royalty revenue and become profitable, we must retain our existing or establish new product discovery and development collaborations and our collaborators must commercialize products incorporating one or more of our flavor ingredients. Our ability to generate royalty revenue is uncertain and will depend upon our ability to meet particular research, development and commercialization objectives.

Research and Development

Our research and development expenses consist primarily of costs associated with our discovery and development efforts in connection with our primary programs focused on the development of savory, sweet and salt flavor enhancers, high potency sweeteners and bitter taste modulators. We track research and development costs by the type of cost incurred rather than by project. Research and development costs are comprised of salaries and other personnel-related expenses, facilities and depreciation, research and development supplies, patent and licensing, outside services and non-cash stock-based compensation expenses. We charge research and development expenses to operations as incurred.

The research and development payments we have received from our collaboration agreements with Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé historically have not covered all of our research and development expenses. We expect that our research and development expenses are likely to increase in the future as a result of our existing product discovery and development collaborations, internal product discovery and development activities and technology development and any expansion of these activities.

42




At this time, due to the risks inherent in the discovery of flavor ingredients, we are unable to estimate with any certainty the costs we will incur in the continued development of our flavor ingredients for commercialization.  We anticipate that we will make determinations regarding the research and development projects to pursue and the funding of each project on an ongoing basis in response to the progress of each discovery and development program, as well as an ongoing assessment of its market potential. We cannot be certain when any net cash inflow from the commercialization of our flavor ingredients will commence.

Our ability to complete the development of our current product candidates is subject to many risks and uncertainties. These risks include the risks, among others, that:

·                   we are substantially dependent upon our collaborators for research and development funding;

·                   our collaborators may terminate their respective collaboration programs early;

·                   we may not be able to discover flavor ingredients with the desired taste attributes;

·                   we may not be successful in developing flavor ingredients with attributes required for use in commercial products;

·                   we may be unable to maintain FEMA GRAS determination for our savory product candidates; and

·                   we may be unable to obtain FEMA GRAS determination or regulatory approval for candidates in our other programs.

If we do not complete the development of our flavor ingredients on a timely basis, our collaborators may terminate or not renew our collaboration agreements, we may begin receiving revenue from the commercialization of products incorporating our flavor ingredients later than anticipated, or not at all, and it may be more difficult to enter into new collaboration agreements. In any of these cases, we may require substantial additional funding in order to continue development of our flavor ingredients.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and other personnel-related expenses related to business development, legal, financial and other administrative functions and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.  General and administrative expenses also include non-cash stock-based compensation expenses.   We expect that our general and administrative expenses are likely to increase in the future as a result of supporting additional commercialization activities, business development and research and development.

Results of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

Revenue Under Collaboration Agreements

We recorded revenue of $12.2 million, $9.4 million and $8.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  Research and development payments, upfront fees and milestone payments under collaborations with Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé accounted for approximately 100% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006.  Research and development payments, reimbursement of certain regulatory expenses, upfront fees and milestone payments under collaborations with Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé accounted for approximately 100% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2005.  Research and development payments and milestone payments under collaborations with Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé accounted for 100% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004.

43




Research and Development Expenses

Our research and development expenses (including stock-based compensation expenses charged to research and development) were $25.4 million, $20.3 million and $18.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  A comparison of research and development expenses by category is as follows (in thousands):

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Salaries and personnel

 

$

9,133

 

$

7,685

 

$

7,211

 

Facilities and depreciation

 

5,133

 

4,568

 

4,449

 

Research and development supplies

 

3,328

 

2,742

 

1,989

 

Outside services

 

2,202

 

806

 

1,357

 

Patent and licensing

 

1,854

 

1,406

 

1,588

 

Miscellaneous

 

695

 

476

 

313

 

Total research and development expenses (excluding non-cash stock-based compensation)

 

22,345

 

17,683

 

16,907

 

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

3,048

 

2,647

 

1,411

 

Total research and development expenses

 

$

25,393

 

$

20,330

 

$

18,318

 

 

Salaries and Personnel.   Our expenses for research and development personnel, including consultants, were $9.1 million, $7.7 million and $7.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Our research and development staff increased from an average of 61 for the year ended December 31, 2005 to an average of 79 for the year ended December 31, 2006.  The increase in staff was primarily to support the identification and optimization of product candidates from our discovery and development programs and to support increasing activities in product development and research management.  The increase of $474,000 from 2004 to 2005 was primarily due to increases in payroll expenses of approximately $575,000, partially offset by a decrease in consulting expense of approximately $103,000.  Our research and development staff increased from an average of 56 for the year ended December 31, 2004 to an average of 61 for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The increase in staff was primarily to support continuing optimization of product candidates from our discovery and development programs.

Facilities and Depreciation.     Our facilities and depreciation expenses were $5.1 million, $4.6 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase of $565,000 from 2005 to 2006 was primarily attributable to increased depreciation expense due to the addition of new scientific equipment and costs associated with the move to the new facility in the fourth quarter of 2006.  The increase of $119,000 from 2004 to 2005 was primarily attributable to an increase in rent expense and related costs of approximately $349,000, incurred as a result of reduced sublease rental income and increased rent expense due to inflation adjustments.  This increase was partially offset by a reduction in our depreciation expense of approximately $230,000.

Research and Development Supplies.   Our expenses for supplies used in research and development were $3.3 million, $2.7 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  The increase of $586,000 from 2005 to 2006 was primarily attributable to increased purchases of scientific supplies and compound acquisition expenses associated with increased screening activity in 2006. The increase of $753,000 from 2004 to 2005 was primarily attributable to increased purchases of scientific supplies and compound acquisition expenses associated with increased screening activity in 2005.

Outside Services.   Our outside services expenses were $2.2 million, $806,000 and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  The increase of $1.4 million from 2005 to 2006 was primarily attributable to an increase in costs incurred for chemistry and product development

44




outsourcing.  The decrease of $551,000 from 2004 to 2005 was primarily attributable to a reduction of costs incurred for outsourced development activities related to the development of our savory ingredients, which were determined to be FEMA GRAS in March 2005.

Patent and Licensing.   Our patent and licensing expenses were $1.9 million, $1.4 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  The increase of $448,000 from 2005 to 2006 was primarily attributable to certain foreign patent activities commencing in the fourth quarter of 2005 and completed in the second quarter of 2006.  The decrease of $182,000 from 2004 to 2005 was primarily attributable to reduced licensing fees in 2005 compared to 2004.

Non-cash Stock-based Compensation.   Our non-cash stock-based compensation expenses were $3.0 million, $2.6 million and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  The increase of $401,000 from 2005 to 2006 was primarily due to an increase in compensation expense in 2006 compared to 2005 for stock options granted to employees, partially offset by a decrease in compensation expense for stock options granted to non-employees.  The increase in employee-related stock-based compensation expense is due to our adoption of SFAS 123R in the first quarter of 2006.  The increase of $1.2 million from 2004 to 2005 was primarily due to an increase in compensation expense in 2005 compared to 2004 for stock options granted to non-employees, as the fair value of these options at December 31, 2005 was revalued in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, Issue No. 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services .  This increase was partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation expense in 2005 compared to 2004 for stock options granted to employees, as the amortization of deferred compensation related to these stock options is recognized on an accelerated basis.

General and Administrative Expenses

Our general and administrative expenses (including stock-based compensation expenses charged to general and administrative) were $13.7 million, $10.2 million and $10.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  The $3.5 million increase in expenses from 2005 to 2006 was primarily attributable to an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.8 million, an increase in payroll expense of approximately $1.2 million, and an increase in consulting expenses of approximately $488,000.  The increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense is due to the adoption of SFAS 123R in the first quarter of 2006, offset by a decrease in amortization of deferred compensation and compensation expense for stock options granted to non-employees.  The increases in expenses for payroll and in expenses for recruiting and relocation were due to the impact of annual merit, cost of living and promotion salary increases and to increased headcount.  The increase in consulting expenses was due to one-time consulting expenses.

  The $51,000 increase in expenses from 2004 to 2005 was attributable to increases in personnel and related expenses, audit, legal and consulting fees and facilities-related expenses of approximately $2.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.9 million.  The increase in expenses for personnel and related expenses of approximately $1.0 million was due to increased headcount reflecting our increased business development activities, reporting activities and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance activities.  Additionally, the increase in expense was due to increases in audit, legal and consulting fees of approximately $358,000, $178,000 and $53,000, respectively, due to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance requirements and increased reporting obligations as a result of being a public company for a full year, as opposed to part of the year in 2004.  Also, facilities-related expenses increased approximately $208,000, primarily attributable to an increase in rent expense and related costs of approximately $188,000, incurred as a result of reduced sublease rental income and increased rent expense due to inflation adjustments.  These increases were offset by a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.9 million.  The decrease in overall stock-based compensation expense is primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation expense in 2005 compared to 2004 for stock options granted to employees, as the amortization of deferred compensation related to these stock options is recognized on an accelerated basis.

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Interest Income

Interest income was $3.8 million, $1.3 million and $435,000 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  The increase of $2.5 million from 2005 to 2006 was primarily attributable to our higher average cash balances for the year ended December 31, 2006 as a result of our November 2005 public offering of common stock, and to higher rates of return on those balances.  The increase of $909,000 from 2004 to 2005 was primarily attributable to our higher average cash balances for the year ended December 31, 2005 as a result of our initial public offering in June 2004 and our November 2005 public offering of common stock, which generated higher interest earnings on those balances.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, we have financed our business primarily through private and public placements of stock, research and development payments under our product discovery and development collaborations with Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods and Nestlé, and interest income.  As of December 31, 2006 we had received in excess of $167.5 million in proceeds from the sales of common and preferred stock.  In addition, we had received $54.4 million in non-refundable license fees, research and development payments, cost reimbursements and milestone payments from our collaboration agreements, and $7.5 million in interest income.  As of December 31, 2006, over the remaining life of our current collaboration agreements, we expect to receive an additional $21.6 million in non-refundable research and development payments from our collaborators.  We may not receive these payments if the collaborations are terminated.  In addition, we may receive payments in the event we achieve research or development milestones and royalty payments in the event our collaborators commercialize products incorporating our flavor ingredients.

At December 31, 2006, we had $74.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments available-for-sale as compared to $83.8 million at December 31, 2005, a decrease of $9.7 million.  This overall decrease resulted primarily from the use of cash to fund our operations.

Operating Activities

Operating activities used cash of $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  Operating cash flow in 2006 compared to the prior year period reflects an increase in our net loss of $3.2 million.  Non-cash expenses increased $1.2 million to $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The increase in non-cash operating expenses was primarily due to the implementation of SFAS 123R in the first quarter of 2006.  Net decreases in other current assets provided cash of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, while net increases in other current assets used cash of $978,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005.  Net increases in operating liabilities provided cash of $6.4 million and $522,000 for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Operating activities used cash of $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to $10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  Operating cash flow in 2005 compared to the prior year period reflects an increase in our net loss of $116,000.  Non-cash expenses for the year ended December 31, 2005 decreased $1.2 million to $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 from $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  This decrease was primarily due to a relative decrease in the amortization of employee deferred stock-based compensation of approximately $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, partially offset by an increase in stock-based compensation expense for non-employees of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  Additionally, net increases in operating assets and liabilities over the year ended December 31, 2005 used cash of $456,000, while net increases in operating assets and liabilities over the year ended December 31, 2004 provided cash of $2.1 million.

Investing Activities

Investing activities used cash of $47.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.  Cash used in 2006 reflects the purchases of available for sale securities of $110.2 million and purchases of property and equipment of $5.7 million.  These purchases were partially offset by the maturities of available-for-sale securities of $68.7 million.

46




Investing activities provided cash of $12.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  Cash provided in 2005 reflects the maturities of available-for-sale securities of $45.8 million, offset by purchases of available-for-sale securities of $31.8 million with the proceeds from our public offering in November 2005 to obtain higher rates of interest income.

Investing activities used cash of $21.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  Cash used in 2004 reflects the purchases of available-for-sale securities with the proceeds from our initial public offering in June 2004 to obtain higher rates of interest income.

Financing Activities

Financing activities provided cash of $2.6 million, $58.7 million and $35.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  Cash provided by financing activities in 2006 reflects the net proceeds from the sale of common stock of $2.6 million, primarily from the exercise of stock options.  Cash provided by financing activities in 2005 reflects the net proceeds from the sale of common stock of $58.7 million, primarily from the sale of common stock during our November 2005 public offering of common stock.  Cash provided by financing activities in 2004 reflects the net proceeds from the sale of common stock of $35.0 million, primarily from the sale of common stock during our initial public offering.

As of December 31, 2006 future minimum payments due under our contractual obligations are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

 

 

Total

 

Less than 1
year

 

1-3 years

 

4-5 years

 

After 5 years

 

Operating leases

 

$

26,748

 

$

1,804

 

$

4,923

 

$

5,180

 

$

14,841

 

License payments

 

194

 

56

 

66

 

36

 

36

 

Total

 

$

26,942

 

$

1,860

 

$

4,989

 

$

5,216

 

$

14,877

 

 

As of December 31, 2006, we had no long-term debt obligations.

As of December 31, 2006, we have net open purchase orders (defined as total open purchase orders at year end less any accruals or invoices charged to or amounts paid against such purchase orders) totaling approximately $752,000.  In the next twelve months, we also plan to spend approximately $3.0 to $3.5 million on capital expenditures.

Our future capital uses and requirements depend on numerous forward-looking factors.  These factors may include, but are not limited to, the following:

·                   the rate of progress and cost of research and development activities;

·                   the number and scope of our research activities;

·                   the costs of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights;

·                   our ability to establish and maintain product discovery and development collaborations;

·                   the effect of competing technological and market developments;

·                   the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing and other arrangements that we may establish; and

·                   the extent to which we acquire or in-license new products, technologies or businesses.

We believe our available cash, cash equivalents, investments and existing sources of funding will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated operating and capital requirements through at least the next 12 months.

Until we can generate significant cash from our operations, we expect to continue to fund our operations with existing cash resources that were primarily generated from the proceeds of offerings of our equity securities and research and development payments and milestone payments under our product

47




discovery and development collaborations.  As of December 31, 2006, under our existing collaboration agreements, assuming all milestones are achieved and we receive all research and development funding, we may be entitled to up to $33.9 million.  In 2007, we anticipate receiving $10.9 million in non-refundable research and development funding.  This does not include any additional payments we may receive related to the achievement of additional milestones, or to new collaborations or extensions of existing collaborations.  We may not receive the payments if the collaborations are terminated or not renewed, or if we do not achieve the milestones set forth in the collaboration agreements.  In addition, the timing of the receipt of milestone payments in particular is uncertain, as we may achieve milestones significantly earlier or later than we currently expect.

We continue to pursue additional collaborations, which could result in additional revenue.  We may not recognize revenues for research and development funding or milestones if the collaborations are terminated, or if we do not achieve the milestones set forth in the collaboration agreements.  Our expenses will vary based upon (but not limited to) the forward-looking factors listed above.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as special purpose or structured finance entities, which would have been established for the purposes of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.  As such, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in these relationships.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP.  The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, long-lived assets, accrued liabilities, and income taxes.  These estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 1 to our financial statements, we believe the following accounting policies to be critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements:

Revenue Recognition

Our revenue recognition policies are in compliance with the Staff Accounting Bulletin, or SAB, No. 104, Revenue Recognition and EITF Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables .  Some of our agreements contain multiple elements, including upfront fees, research funding, milestones, and royalties.

Revenue is deferred for fees received before earned. Non-refundable upfront fees associated with our future performance are deferred and recognized over the remaining minimum period of our performance obligations under the agreement.  Non-refundable license fees associated with future performance involving a specific program or collaboration are recognized over the period of service for that specific program or collaboration.  Non-refundable upfront fees, if not associated with our future performance, will be recognized when received.  Amounts received for research funding are recognized as revenues as the services are performed.  Revenue from milestones is recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgement from the collaborator or other persuasive evidence that the milestone has been achieved, provided that (i) the milestone event is substantive and its achievability was not reasonably assured at the inception of the agreement, and (ii) our performance obligations after the milestone achievement will continue to be funded by the collaborator at a level comparable to before the milestone achievement.  If both of these criteria are not met, the milestone payment is recognized over the remaining minimum period

48




of our performance obligations under the agreement.  Revenue from cost reimbursements is recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgement from the collaborator or other persuasive evidence.  Royalties to be received based on product sales made by our collaborators incorporating our product, if any, will be recognized as earned.  To date, we have not earned any royalties.

Stock-based Compensation

We grant options to purchase our common stock to our employees and directors under our equity incentive plan. Eligible employees can also purchase shares of our common stock under our employee stock purchase plan at the lower of: (i) 85% of the fair market value on the first day of a two-year offering period; or (ii) 85% of the fair market value on the last date of each six-month purchase period within the two-year offering period.  In addition, we grant options to purchase our common stock to non-employees under our equity incentive plan.

For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, we recorded deferred compensation for stock options and stock awards granted equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant as determined for the purpose of recording our initial public offering, or IPO, cheap stock calculation. We recorded options or awards issued to non-employees at their fair value in accordance with the SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation , and periodically remeasure them in accordance with EITF 96-18 and recognize them over the service period. In connection with the grant of stock options to employees, we recorded deferred stock-based compensation of $442,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004. We recorded this amount as a component of stockholders’ equity and amortized it, on an accelerated basis, as a non-cash charge to operations over the vesting period of the options. We recorded employee and non-employee stock-based compensation expense of $5.3 million and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS 123R, which requires companies to expense the estimated fair value of employee stock options and similar awards. This statement is a revision to SFAS 123 and supersedes Accounting Principles Board, or APB, Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees , and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows .  The accounting provisions of SFAS 123R were effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2006.   In conjunction with the adoption of SFAS 123R, the unamortized balance of deferred compensation recorded for our IPO cheap stock calculation was reclassified to additional paid-in capital.  As of our adoption date of SFAS 123R, the unamortized balance of deferred compensation was $1.1 million.

Effective January 1, 2006, we use the fair value method to apply the provisions of SFAS 123R with a modified prospective application which provides for certain changes to the method for valuing stock-based compensation. The valuation provisions of SFAS 123R apply to new awards and to awards that are outstanding on the effective date and subsequently modified or cancelled. Under the modified prospective application, prior periods are not revised for comparative purposes. Stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS 123R for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $6.3 million. At December 31, 2006, total unrecognized estimated compensation expense related to non-vested stock options granted prior to that date was $10.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years. Total stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 represented 4.1% and 2.5%, respectively, of outstanding shares as of the end of each fiscal year.

Both prior and subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 123R, we estimated the value of stock-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, the value of each stock-based award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model for the pro forma information required to be disclosed under SFAS 123 in the footnotes to our financial statements. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, risk-free interest rate and the expected term of the awards.

49




If factors change and we employ different assumptions in the application of SFAS 123R in future periods, the compensation expense that we record in future periods under SFAS 123R may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period. Therefore, we believe it is important for investors to be aware of the high degree of subjectivity involved when using option pricing models to estimate stock-based compensation under SFAS 123R. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions, are fully transferable and do not cause dilution. Because our stock-based payments have characteristics significantly different from those of freely traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect our estimates of fair values, in our opinion, existing valuation models, including the Black-Scholes model, may not provide reliable measures of the fair values of our stock-based compensation. Consequently, there is a risk that our estimates of the fair values of our stock-based compensation awards on the grant dates may bear little resemblance to the actual values realized upon the exercise, expiration, early termination or forfeiture of those stock-based payments in the future. Certain stock-based payments, such as employee stock options, may expire worthless or otherwise result in zero intrinsic value as compared to the fair values originally estimated on the grant date and reported in our financial statements. Alternatively, value may be realized from these instruments that is significantly in excess of the fair values originally estimated on the grant date and reported in our financial statements. There is currently no market-based mechanism or other practical application to verify the reliability and accuracy of the estimates stemming from these valuation models, nor is there a means to compare and adjust the estimates to actual values. Although the fair value of employee stock-based awards is determined in accordance with SFAS 123R and SAB 107 using an option-pricing model, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

Estimates of stock-based compensation expenses are significant to our financial statements, but these expenses are based on the aforementioned option valuation model and will never result in the payment of cash by us. For this reason, we do not view stock-based compensation as related to our operational performance.

For purposes of estimating the fair value of stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors during the year ended December 31, 2006 using the Black-Scholes model, we have made a subjective estimate regarding our stock price volatility (weighted average of 60.43% for the year ended December 31, 2006). We used an average of the historical volatility of our stock for the period our stock has been publicly traded and the historical volatilities of the common stock of several publicly traded companies management feels are comparable to us, consistent with the guidance in SFAS 123R and SAB 107.  If our stock price volatility assumption were increased to 70%, the weighted average estimated fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2006 would increase by $0.93 per share, or 9.8%.

The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the average United States Treasury yield curve at the balance sheet date for the expected term (weighted average of 4.88% for the year ended December 31, 2006) which, if increased to 6.00%, would increase the weighted average estimated fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2006 by $0.26 per share, or 2.7%.

Leasehold Incentive Obligation

In conjunction with the Nexus Lease, we received a tenant improvement allowance of up to $155 per square foot, or $9.9 million.  As the tenant improvements were constructed, we recorded both the covered tenant improvements (as fixed assets) and an offsetting leasehold incentive obligation on our balance sheet.  As construction on the facility has been completed and we have taken occupancy of the new facility, we are recording depreciation expense to depreciate the covered tenant improvements and recording an offsetting reduction to rent expense to amortize the leasehold incentive obligation over the initial term of the Nexus Lease, in accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin 88-1, Issues Relating to Accounting for Leases .

50




New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 06-2, Accounting for Sabbatical Leave and Other Similar Benefits Pursuant to FASB Statement No. 43, Accounting for Compensated Absences .  EITF Issue No. 06-2 provides guidelines under which sabbatical leave or other similar benefits provided to an employee are considered to accumulate, as defined in SFAS 43. If such benefits are deemed to accumulate, then the compensation cost associated with a sabbatical or other similar benefit arrangement should be accrued over the requisite service period. The provisions of this Issue are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and allow for either retrospective application or a cumulative effect adjustment to accumulated deficit approach upon adoption. We do not expect the adoption of EITF Issue No. 06-02 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No., or FIN, 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 . FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The cumulative effect upon adoption of applying the provision shall be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year, presented separately. We do not expect the adoption of FIN 48 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements . SFAS 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework, and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements.  It also responds to investors’ requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value, and does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 to have a material impact on its financial statements.

Item 7A.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our primary exposure to market risk is interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of United States interest rates. Due to the nature of our short-term investments, we believe that we are not subject to any material market risk exposure. We do not have any foreign currency or other derivative financial instruments.

51




 

Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Financial Statements

Description

 

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

 

52




 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Senomyx, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Senomyx, Inc. as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Senomyx, Inc. at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 2006, Senomyx, Inc. adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” .

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Senomyx, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 20, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

 

 

 

 

San Diego, California

 

February 20, 2007

 

 

53




Senomyx, Inc.

Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

21,225

 

$

73,908

 

Investments available-for-sale

 

52,879

 

9,905

 

Other current assets

 

1,239

 

2,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

75,343

 

86,113

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

14,839

 

2,418

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

90,182

 

$

88,531

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

5,410

 

$

4,096

 

Other current liabilities

 

39

 

111

 

Leasehold incentive obligation

 

966

 

 

Deferred revenue

 

3,473

 

1,728

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

9,888

 

5,935

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred rent

 

213

 

151

 

Leasehold incentive obligation

 

8,854

 

 

Deferred revenue

 

1,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 7,500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

Common stock, $.001 par value, 120,000,000 shares authorized; 30,166,399 and 29,678,697 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively

 

30

 

30

 

Additional paid-in-capital

 

196,748

 

187,792

 

Deferred compensation

 

 

(1,143

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(18

)

(8

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(127,283

)

(104,226

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

69,477

 

82,445

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liability and stockholders’ equity

 

$

90,182

 

$

88,531

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

54




Senomyx, Inc .

Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue under collaborative agreements

 

$

12,230

 

$

9,385

 

$

8,347

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development (including $3,048, $2,647 and $1,411 of non-cash stock-based compensation, respectively)

 

25,393

 

20,330

 

18,318

 

General and administrative (including $4,457, $2,701 and $4,625 of non-cash stock-based compensation, respectively)

 

13,735

 

10,229

 

10,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

39,128

 

30,559

 

28,496

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(26,898

)

(21,174

)

(20,149

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

3,841

 

1,344

 

435

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(23,057

)

$

(19,830

)

$

(19,714

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share

 

$

(0.77

)

$

(0.77

)

$

(1.40

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share

 

29,809,854

 

25,916,229

 

14,040,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss per common share assuming conversion of preferred stock, basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.89

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used in computing pro forma net loss per common share assuming conversion of preferred stock, basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

22,143,380

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

55




Senomyx, Inc.

Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands, except for share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

other

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

Common Stock

 

paid-in

 

Deferred

 

comprehensive

 

Accumulated

 

stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

capital

 

compensation

 

loss

 

deficit

 

equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

 

25,825,826

 

$

70,150

 

2,020,736

 

$

2

 

$

20,173

 

$

(8,540

)

$

1

 

$

(64,682

)

$

17,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock to employees related to the exercise of options

 

 

 

667,509

 

1

 

688

 

 

 

 

689

 

Repurchase of unvested common stock from employees

 

 

 

(41,661

)

 

(31

)

 

 

 

(31

)

Compensation related to stock options to employees

 

 

 

 

 

442

 

(442

)

 

 

 

Compensation related to restricted stock issued to consultants

 

 

 

 

 

1,119

 

 

 

 

1,119

 

Amortization of deferred compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,917

 

 

 

4,917

 

Reduction of deferred compensation for cancellation of unvested employee stock options

 

 

 

 

 

(573

)

573

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock related to exercise of warrant

 

 

 

7,675

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of preferred stock to common stock

 

(25,825,826

)

(70,150

)

16,205,306

 

16

 

70,134

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock in initial public offering, net of issuance costs

 

 

 

6,450,000

 

6

 

34,291

 

 

 

 

34,297

 

Comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

 

(8

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19,714

)

(19,714

)

Comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19,722

)

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

 

 

25,309,565

 

25

 

126,243

 

(3,492

)

(7

)

(84,396

)

38,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock related to the exercise of options

 

 

 

196,270

 

1

 

617

 

 

 

 

618

 

Issuance of common stock related to employee stock plan purchases

 

 

 

123,567

 

 

640

 

 

 

 

640

 

Issuance of common stock in a public offering, net of issuance costs

 

 

 

4,049,295

 

4

 

57,294

 

 

 

 

57,298

 

Compensation related to stock options issued to consultants

 

 

 

 

 

2,870

 

 

 

 

2,870

 

Compensation related to acceleration of vesting of stock option issued to director

 

 

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

 

128

 

Amortization of deferred compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,349

 

 

 

2,349

 

Comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19,830

)

(19,830

)

Comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19,831

)

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

 

 

29,678,697

 

30

 

187,792

 

(1,143

)

(8

)

(104,226

)

82,445

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

56




 

Senomyx, Inc.

Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands, except for share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

other

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

Common Stock

 

paid-in

 

Deferred

 

comprehensive

 

Accumulated

 

stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

capital

 

compensation

 

loss

 

deficit

 

equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

 

$

 

29,678,697

 

$

30

 

$

187,792

 

$

(1,143

)

$

(8

)

$

(104,226

)

$

82,445

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock related to the exercise of options

 

 

 

337,514

 

 

1,733

 

 

 

 

1,733

 

Issuance of common stock related to employee stock plan purchases

 

 

 

150,188

 

 

861

 

 

 

 

861

 

Compensation related to stock options granted to consultants

 

 

 

 

 

1,193

 

 

 

 

1,193

 

Compensation related to stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors

 

 

 

 

 

6,312

 

 

 

 

6,312

 

Reduction of deferred compensation due to adoption of SFAS 123(R)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,143

)

1,143

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10

)

 

(10

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23,057

)

(23,057

)

Comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23,067

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

 

$

 

30,166,399

 

$

30

 

$

196,748

 

$

 

$

(18

)

$

(127,283

)

$

69,477

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

57




Senomyx, Inc.

Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(23,057

)

$

(19,830

)

$

(19,714

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,584

 

1,215

 

1,462

 

Accretion of discount on available-for-sale securities

 

(1,427

)

(215

)

 

Amortization of leasehold incentive obligation

 

(80

)

 

 

Stock-based compensation for employees and non-employee directors

 

6,312

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation

 

 

2,349

 

4,917

 

Stock-based compensation for non-employees

 

1,193

 

2,998

 

1,119

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

 

1,061

 

(978

)

44

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

702

 

711

 

1,621

 

Deferred revenue

 

3,495

 

(130

)

443

 

Deferred rent

 

62

 

(59

)

29

 

Leasehold incentive obligation

 

2,092

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(8,063

)

(13,939

)

(10,079

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(5,657

)

(1,941

)

(1,079

)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 

 

84

 

 

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

 

(110,207

)

(31,813

)

(27,505

)

Maturities of available-for-sale securities

 

68,650

 

45,775

 

7,300

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(47,214

)

12,105

 

(21,284

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

2,594

 

58,657

 

34,986

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

 

(31

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

2,594

 

58,657

 

34,955

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(52,683

)

56,823

 

3,592

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

73,908

 

17,085

 

13,493

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

21,225

 

$

73,908

 

$

17,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment and leasehold incentive obligation directly reimbursed by lessor of new facility

 

$

7,808

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

$

540

 

$

34

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock (net) included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

$

101

 

 

Conversion of preferred stock into common stock

 

 

 

$

70,150

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

58




Senomyx, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements

1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Business

Senomyx, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on September 16, 1998 in Delaware and commenced operations in January 1999. The Company is a biotechnology company using proprietary taste receptor-based assays, screening technologies and optimization chemistry to discover and develop novel flavor ingredients for the packaged food and beverage industry. The Company has entered into product discovery and development collaborations with six of the world’s leading packaged food and beverage companies: Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (“Ajinomoto”), Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell Soup Company (“Campbell”), The Coca-Cola Company (“Coca-Cola”), Kraft Foods Global, Inc. (“Kraft Foods”) and Nestlé SA (“Nestlé”). The Company’s collaboration agreements provide for upfront license fees, research funding, reimbursement of certain regulatory costs, milestone payments if the Company achieves development goals and royalties on future sales of consumer products incorporating the Company’s flavor ingredients. The Company’s current programs focus on the development of savory, sweet and salt flavor enhancers, high potency sweeteners and bitter taste modulators .

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates market value.

Investments Available-for-Sale

The Company’s surplus cash is invested in commercial paper and United States government agency bonds with maturity dates of one year or less from the settlement date. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity with all amortization and accretion included in interest income. The Company’s short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at estimated fair value, as determined by quoted market prices, with unrealized gains and losses reported in a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in interest income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest on securities classified as available-for-sale is included in interest income.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, investments available-for-sale, accounts payable and accrued expenses are considered to be representative of their respective fair value because of the short-term nature of those items.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Major Collaborations

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist of cash, cash equivalents and investments available-for-sale. The Company limits its exposure to credit loss by placing its cash, cash equivalents, and investments with high credit quality financial institutions in instruments with short maturities.

59




The Company derives its revenues from a relatively small number of collaborators. For the year ended December 31, 2006, revenues from its six collaborators accounted for 19%, 7%, 17%, 28%, 6% and 23%, respectively, of total revenues.  For the year ended December 31, 2005, revenues from its five collaborators accounted for 16%, 16%, 21%, 43% and 4%, respectively, of total revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2004, revenues from its four collaborators accounted for 17%, 23%, 24% and 36%, respectively, of total revenues.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets (ranging from three to five years) using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term, whichever is shorter.

Patent Costs

Costs related to filing and pursuing patent applications are expensed as incurred, as recoverability of such expenditures is uncertain.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets , if indicators of impairment exist, the Company assesses the recoverability of the affected long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows. If impairment is indicated, the Company measures the amount of such impairment by comparing the fair value to the carrying value. There have been no indicators of impairment through December 31, 2006.

Leasehold Incentive Obligation

In conjunction with the lease agreement covering the facility occupied by the Company (the “Nexus Lease”), the Company received a tenant improvement allowance of $155 per square foot leased, or $9.9 million.  As the tenant improvements were constructed, the Company recorded both the covered tenant improvements (as fixed assets) and an offsetting leasehold incentive obligation on the Company’s balance sheet.  Through the initial term of the Nexus Lease, the Company records depreciation expense to depreciate the tenant improvements and records an offsetting reduction to rent expense (to amortize the leasehold incentive obligation), in accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin 88-1, Issues Relating to Accounting for Leases .

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with the Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, Revenue Recognition and Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables .  Some of the Company’s agreements contain multiple elements, including upfront fees, research funding, cost reimbursements, milestones, and royalties.

Non-refundable license fees, if not associated with future Company performance, are recognized when received. Non-refundable license fees, if associated with future Company performance, are associated with a specific program or collaboration and recognized over the period of service for that specific program or collaboration.

Amounts received for research funding are recognized as revenues as the services are performed. Revenue is deferred for fees received before earned.

60




Revenue from milestones is recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgment from the collaborator or other persuasive evidence that the milestone has been achieved, provided that (i) the milestone event is substantive and its achievability was not reasonably assured at the inception of the agreement, and (ii) the Company’s performance obligations after the milestone achievement will continue to be funded by the collaborator at a level comparable to before the milestone achievement. If both of these criteria are not met, the milestone payment is recognized over the remaining minimum period of the Company’s performance obligations under the agreement.

Revenue from cost reimbursements is recognized when earned, as evidenced by written acknowledgment from the collaborator or other persuasive evidence.

Royalties to be received based on product sales made by the Company’s collaborators incorporating the Company’s product, if any, will be recognized as earned. To date, the Company has not earned any royalties.

Research and Development

Research and development costs, including those incurred in relation to the Company’s collaborative agreements, are expensed in the period incurred. Research and development costs primarily consist of salaries and related expenses for personnel, facilities and depreciation, research and development supplies, patents and licenses and outside services.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income , requires that all components of comprehensive income, including net income, be reported in the financial statements in the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss, as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, consisted of unrealized gains and losses on investments available-for-sale and is reported in stockholders’ equity.

Deferred Rent

Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the initial term of any lease. The difference between rent expense accrued and amounts paid under any lease agreement is recorded as deferred rent in the accompanying balance sheets.

Stock-Based Compensation

For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, Share-Based Payment, the Company recorded deferred compensation for stock options and stock awards granted to employees and non-employee directors equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant as determined for the purpose of recording the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) cheap stock calculation. The Company records options or awards issued to non-employees at their fair value in accordance with the SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation , and periodically remeasures them in accordance with EITF 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services , and recognize them over the service period. In connection with the grant of stock options to employees and non-employee directors, the Company recorded deferred stock-based compensation of $442,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company recorded this amount as a component of stockholders’ equity and amortized it, on an accelerated basis, as a non-cash charge to operations over the vesting period of the options. The Company recorded employee and non-employee stock-based compensation expense of $5.3 million and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

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In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS 123R, which requires companies to expense the estimated fair value of employee stock options and similar awards. This statement is a revision to SFAS 123, and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees , and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows .  The accounting provisions of SFAS 123R were effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2006.   In conjunction with the adoption of SFAS 123R, the unamortized balance of deferred stock-based compensation recorded for the IPO cheap stock calculation was written off against stockholders’ equity.  As of the adoption date of SFAS 123R, the unamortized balance of deferred stock-based compensation was $1.1 million.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company uses the fair value method to apply the provisions of SFAS 123R with a modified prospective application which provides for certain changes to the method for valuing stock-based compensation. The valuation provisions of SFAS 123R apply to new awards and to awards that are outstanding on the effective date and subsequently modified or cancelled. Under the modified prospective application, prior periods are not revised for comparative purposes.  Upon adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company has continued to use the Black-Scholes model which was previously used for the Company’s pro forma information required under SFAS 123. The Company’s employee stock options have various restrictions that reduce option value, including vesting provisions and restrictions on transfer and hedging, among others, and are often exercised prior to their contractual maturity.  Because the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock options.

The weighted-average estimated fair value of employee stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2006 was $9.54 per share using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted average assumptions (annualized percentages):

 

Year ended
December 31, 2006

 

Expected volatility

 

60.43

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.88

%

Dividend yield

 

0.0

%

Expected term

 

6.08 years

 

 

The weighted-average estimated fair value of employee stock purchase rights granted during the year ended December 31, 2006 was $6.94 per share using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted average assumptions (annualized percentages):

 

Year ended
December 31, 2006

 

Expected volatility

 

67.33

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.90

%

Dividend yield

 

0.0

%

Expected term

 

1.25 years

 

 

Expected volatility is based on the Company’s historical volatility and the historical volatilities of the common stock of comparable publicly traded companies. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the average United States Treasury yield curve at balance sheet date for the expected term.  The expected term of options granted is derived from the average midpoint between vesting and the contractual term, as described in SAB No. 107, Share-Based Payment.  The assumptions related to expected volatility and risk-free interest rate used for the valuation of stock options under the Company’s stock plan differ from those used for the valuation of stock purchase rights under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan primarily due to the difference in their respective expected terms.

As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Statement of Operations for 2006 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it should be reduced for estimated forfeitures.  SFAS 123R requires

62




forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.  Pre-vesting forfeitures were estimated to be approximately 7.2% for the year ended December 31, 2006 based on historical experience.  In the Company’s pro forma information required under SFAS 123 for the periods prior to fiscal 2006, the Company accounted for forfeitures as they occurred.

Compensation expense related to stock-based compensation for options and awards granted subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 123R is recognized on a straight-line basis.  Compensation expense related to stock-based compensation is allocated to research and development or general and administrative based upon the department to which the associated employee or non-employee reports.

Total estimated stock-based compensation expense, related to all of the Company’s stock-based awards granted to employees and non-employee directors, recognized for the year ended December 31, 2006 was comprised as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

Research and development

 

$

(1,939

)

General and administrative

 

(4,373

)

Employee and non-employee director stock-based compensation expense

 

$

(6,312

)

 

 

 

 

Employee and non-employee director stock-based compensation expense, per common share, basic and diluted:

 

$

(0.21

)

 

At December 31, 2006, total unrecognized estimated compensation expense related to non-vested stock options granted prior to that date was $10.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.

As a result of adopting SFAS 123R, the Company’s net loss for the year ended December 31, 2006 is approximately $4.9 million higher than if the Company had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25.  Basic and diluted net loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2006 are $0.16 higher than if the Company continued to account for share-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25.

Pro Forma Information under SFAS 123 for Periods Prior to Fiscal 2006

Prior to adopting the provisions of SFAS 123R, the Company recorded estimated compensation expense for employee stock options based upon their intrinsic value on the date of grant pursuant to APB Opinion No. 25, and provided the required pro forma disclosures of SFAS 123.  Under APB Opinion No. 25, when the purchase price of restricted stock or the exercise price of the Company’s employee stock options equals or exceeds the fair value of the underlying stock on the date of issuance or grant, no compensation expense is recognized. In the event that stock options are granted with an exercise price below the fair value of the Company’s common stock per share on the grant date, the difference between the fair value of the Company’s common stock and the exercise price of the stock option was recorded as deferred compensation.  Deferred compensation was amortized to compensation expense on an accelerated basis in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 28, Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award Plans , over the vesting period of the related options, generally four years.

Options or stock awards issued to non-employees who are not directors of the Company are recorded at their fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 123 and EITF Issue No. 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services , and are periodically revalued as the options vest and are recognized as expense over the related service period.

63




For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the fair value of options issued to employees was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following weighted average assumptions: (a) risk-free interest rates of 4.1% and 3.0%; (b) expected dividend yield of 0% for all periods; (c) volatility factor of 70% for all periods; and (d) five-year estimated life of the options for all periods. The estimated weighted average fair value of stock options granted during 2005 and 2004 was $6.03 and $6.55, respectively.

As required under SFAS No. 123, for purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the vesting period of the related options. The Company’s pro forma information follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Net loss as reported

 

$

(19,830

)

$

(19,714

)

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in net loss

 

2,477

 

4,917

 

Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method

 

(6,538

)

(6,452

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss

 

$

(23,891

)

$

(21,249

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share as reported

 

$

(0.77

)

$

(1.40

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share

 

$

(0.92

)

$

(1.51

)

 

Net Loss Per Share

The Company calculated net loss per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share , and SAB No. 98. Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income or loss by the weighted average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method.  Dilutive common share equivalents include the dilutive effect of in-the-money shares, which is calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the exercise price of a share, the amount of compensation cost, if any, for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of estimated tax benefits that would be recorded in paid-in capital, if any, when the share is exercised are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period.  For purposes of this calculation, common stock subject to repurchase by the Company, convertible preferred stock, options, and warrants are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share when their effect is dilutive.

64




The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted, and unaudited pro forma basic and diluted, net loss per share for the respective periods. The unaudited pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share represent the weighted average common shares outstanding reduced by the weighted average unvested common shares subject to repurchase, and gives the effect to the conversion of the convertible preferred stock into shares of common stock as if converted at the date of original issuance.

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Historical:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (in thousands)

 

$

(23,057

)

$

(19,830

)

$

(19,714

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares

 

29,910,453

 

26,090,294

 

14,354,942

 

Weighted average unvested common shares subject to repurchase

 

(100,599

)

(174,065

)

(314,215

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share

 

29,809,854

 

25,916,229

 

14,040,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share

 

$

(0.77

)

$

(0.77

)

$

(1.40

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

$

(19,714

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.89

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used above

 

 

 

 

 

14,040,727

 

Pro forma adjustment to reflect assumed weighted average effect of conversion of preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

8,102,653

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

22,143,380

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historical outstanding antidilutive securities not included in diluted net loss per share calculation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock*

 

 

 

8,102,653

 

Common stock subject to repurchase

 

59,426

 

148,779

 

228,092

 

Options to purchase common stock

 

3,489,874

 

2,483,417

 

1,992,710

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,549,300

 

2,632,196

 

10,323,455

 

 


* Represents the number of shares of common stock into which preferred stock was convertible.

Segment Reporting

The Company currently operates in a single operating segment.  The Company generates revenues from collaborations that result primarily from its underlying research and development activities.  In addition, financial results are prepared and reviewed by management as a single operating segment.  The Company periodically evaluates the benefits of operating in distinct segments and will report accordingly when such distinction is made.

65




Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 06-2, Accounting for Sabbatical Leave and Other Similar Benefits Pursuant to FASB Statement No. 43, Accounting for Compensated Absences .  EITF Issue No. 06-2 provides guidelines under which sabbatical leave or other similar benefits provided to an employee are considered to accumulate, as defined in FASB Statement 43, Accounting for Compensated Absences . If such benefits are deemed to accumulate, then the compensation cost associated with a sabbatical or other similar benefit arrangement should be accrued over the requisite service period. The provisions of this Issue are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and allow for either retrospective application or a cumulative effect adjustment to accumulated deficit approach upon adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of EITF Issue No. 06-02 to have a material impact on its financial statements.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The cumulative effect upon adoption of applying the provision shall be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year, presented separately. The Company does not expect the adoption of FIN 48 to have a material impact on its financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurement . SFAS 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework, and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements.  It also responds to investors’ requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value, and does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 to have a material impact on its financial statements.

2. Balance Sheet Details

Investments Available-for-Sale

The following is a summary of investments available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

Unrealized Gain

 

Unrealized Loss

 

Fair Value

 

Commercial Paper

 

$

30,171

 

$

 

$

(20

)

$

30,151

 

Government Agency Bonds

 

22,726

 

2

 

 

22,728

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

52,897

 

$

2

 

$

(20

)

$

52,879

 

 

66




The following is a summary of investments available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

Unrealized Gain

 

Unrealized Loss

 

Fair Value

 

Commercial Paper

 

$

2,186

 

$

 

$

(1

)

$

2,185

 

Government Agency Bonds

 

7,727

 

 

(7

)

7,720

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

9,913

 

$

 

$

(8

)

$

9,905

 

 

Gross realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities were immaterial during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005. All of the available-for-sale securities have a contractual maturity at December 31, 2006 of one year or less.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Scientific equipment

 

$

7,285

 

$

7,019

 

Computer equipment

 

2,376

 

2,237

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

1,004

 

362

 

Leasehold improvements

 

12,399

 

892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,064

 

10,510

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(8,225

)

(8,092

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

14,839

 

$

2,418

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense was $1.5 million, $1.2 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,107

 

$

1,018

 

Accrued employee benefits

 

2,719

 

2,214

 

Other accrued expenses

 

1,584

 

864

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

5,410

 

$

4,096

 

 

3. Product Discovery and Development Collaborations

Ajinomoto.     In March 2006, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Ajinomoto for the discovery and commercialization of novel flavor ingredients on an exclusive basis in the soup, sauce and culinary aids, and noodle product categories, and on a co-exclusive basis in the bouillon product category within Japan and other Asian markets.  The agreement requires Ajinomoto to pay an upfront license fee and make discovery and development funding payments for up to three years. The Company is also eligible to receive milestone payments upon the achievement of specific product discovery and development goals and, in the event of commercialization, receive royalties on sales of products containing new flavor ingredients developed under the agreement until the expiration of relevant patents.

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In October 2006, the Company entered into a second collaboration agreement with Ajinomoto for the discovery and commercialization of specified natural flavor ingredients.  The agreement requires Ajinomoto to make discovery and development funding payments for up to three years. The Company is also eligible to receive milestone payments upon the achievement of specific product discovery and development goals and, in the event of commercialization, receive royalties on sales of products containing new flavor ingredients developed under the agreement.

Through December 31, 2006, the Company has received $6.1 million in non-refundable upfront license fees and discovery and development funding. The upfront fees were recorded as deferred revenue and are being amortized over the period of obligation by the Company.  If all milestones are achieved, and including all research and development funding paid or payable, the Company may be entitled to up to $10.2 million. There is no guarantee that the Company will receive any milestone payments or royalties under these collaborations.

Cadbury Schweppes.     In July 2005, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Cadbury Schweppes for the discovery and commercialization of new flavor ingredients in the gum confectionary area. The agreement requires Cadbury Schweppes to make research funding payments for up to two years. The Company is also eligible to receive milestone payments upon the achievement of specific product discovery and development goals and, in the event of commercialization, receive royalties on sales of products containing new flavor ingredients developed under the agreement.

Through December 31, 2006, the Company has received $1.3 million in non-refundable upfront license fees and research funding. The upfront fee was recorded as deferred revenue and is being amortized over the period of obligation by the Company.  If all milestones are achieved, and including all research funding paid or payable, the Company may be entitled to up to $3.1 million. There is no guarantee that the Company will receive any milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

Campbell Soup Company.     In March 2001, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Campbell to work for a three-year collaborative period for the discovery and development of specified flavors and flavor enhancers. The agreement requires Campbell to make research funding payments over three years totaling $3.6 million. The Company is also eligible to receive milestone payments upon the achievement of a specific product development goal and, in the event of commercialization, receive royalties on future net sales of collaborator products containing a discovered ingredient.

The agreement was amended in July 2002 to provide for an option to negotiate the right to expand the field to include additional specified products. The Company received $1.8 million from Campbell for the option, which was recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue ratably over the remaining term of the agreement (20 months). The agreement was further amended in November 2002 to redefine earned royalties during the royalty term.

In July 2003, the Company received $650,000 in additional research support funding and expense reimbursement. The payment was recorded as deferred revenue and was recognized as revenue ratably over the remaining term of the agreement (eight months).

The agreement was further amended in March 2004 to extend the collaborative period until the earlier of March 2006 or when a flavor or flavor enhancer selected by Campbell receives Generally Recognized as Safe (“GRAS”) determination, subject to earlier termination under specified circumstances. Under the terms of the extension, the Company will provide additional research and receive additional research funding totaling $3.0 million for two additional years.

The agreement was further amended in February 2006 to extend the collaborative period until the earlier of March 2009 or when a flavor or flavor enhancer selected by Campbell receives a GRAS determination, subject to earlier termination under specified circumstances. Under the terms of the extension, the Company will provide additional research and receive additional research funding totaling up to $3.0 million for three additional years.

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Through December 31, 2006, the Company has received $9.7 million in research and development funding. If all milestones are achieved, and including all research and development funding paid or payable, the Company may be entitled to up to $13.1 million. There is no guarantee that the Company will receive any milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

The Coca-Cola Company.     In April 2002, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Coca-Cola for the discovery and development of specified flavors and flavor enhancers. The agreement required Coca-Cola to make research funding payments over three years totaling $6.0 million. The Company is also eligible to receive milestone payments upon the achievement of specific product development goals and, in the event of commercialization, receive royalties on future sales of collaborator products containing a discovered ingredient.   The agreement was amended in April 2004 to extend the collaborative period until April 2008, subject to earlier termination under specified circumstances. Under terms of the extension, the Company will provide additional research and receive additional research funding totaling $6.0 million for three additional years.

Through December 31, 2006, the Company has received $9.5 million in research and development funding. If all milestones are achieved, and including all research and development funding paid or payable, the Company may be entitled to up to $14.8 million. There is no guarantee that the Company will receive any milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

Kraft Foods Global, Inc.     In December 2000, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Kraft Foods for the discovery and development of flavor enhancers. Under the terms of the collaboration, Kraft Foods agreed to pay research funding of approximately $1.4 million per year for three years. In May 2002, the agreement was amended to provide for an additional collaborative program. The level of research support under the original program was reduced from $1.4 million to $1.1 million per year for the remainder of the research term. In May 2005 and July 2005, the agreement was further amended to extend the collaborative period until June 2005 and July 2007, respectively, and to provide for an additional specified product field. The Company is eligible to receive milestone payments upon the achievement of specific product development goals and, in the event of commercialization, receive royalties on future net sales of collaborator products containing a discovered ingredient.

Kraft Foods agreed to make research funding payments related to the May 2002 program of $1.8 million over the period from May 2002 through December 2003, $1.8 million over the period from January 2004 through May 2005, $339,000 over the period May 2005 through July 2005, and $1.7 million from July 2005 though November 2006.  The Company is also eligible to receive milestone payments upon the achievement of specific product development goals and receive royalties on net sales of collaborator products containing a discovered ingredient related to this additional program. The Company earned a milestone payment of $375,000 in 2002 and a milestone payment of $250,000 in 2006 from the May 2002 research program.

Through December 31, 2006, the Company has received $9.4 million in research and development funding, one milestone payment of $375,000 and one milestone payment of $250,000. If all milestones are achieved, and including all research and development funding paid or payable, the Company may be entitled to up to $10.7 million. There is no guarantee that the Company will receive any further milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

In December 2005, the Company further amended the agreement to provide for a new three-year discovery and development collaboration. In November 2006, this agreement was further amended to revise the structure of the research and development funding.   Under the terms of the new collaboration, Kraft Foods has agreed to pay the Company an initial license fee and incremental discovery and development funding over the three-year period.  The Company is eligible to receive milestone payments upon achievement of specific product discovery and development goals, and, in the event of commercialization, receive royalties based on sales of Kraft Foods products containing any flavor modifiers developed under the agreement.

69




Through December 31, 2006, the Company has received $1.6 million in non-refundable license fees and research and development funding related to the new collaboration.  The license fee was recorded as deferred revenue and is being amortized over the period of the obligation by the Company.  If all milestones are achieved, and including all license fees and research and development funding payable, the Company may be entitled to up to $5.4 million for the new collaboration.  There is no guarantee that the Company will receive any milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

Nestlé SA.     In April 2002, as amended in April 2005, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Nestlé for the discovery and development of specified flavors and flavor enhancers. The agreement requires Nestlé to make research funding payments through 2008 totaling $13.6 million, subject to earlier termination under specified circumstances.  The Company is also eligible to receive milestone payments upon the achievement of specific product development goals and, in the event of commercialization, receive royalties on future net sales of collaborator products containing a discovered ingredient. The Company received payments for the achievement of four milestones in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.  The Company also received payment for the reimbursement of certain regulatory expenses in 2005.  Through December 31, 2006, the Company has received $10.0 million in research and development funding, four milestone payments of $375,000 each and $339,000 in reimbursement of certain regulatory costs. If all milestones are achieved, and including all research and development funding paid or payable, the Company may be entitled to up to $15.8 million. There is no guarantee that the Company will receive any further milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

In October 2004, the Company entered into a second product discovery and development collaboration agreement with Nestlé to work for a five-year collaborative period focusing on the discovery and commercialization of specified novel flavor ingredients, subject to extension or earlier termination under specified circumstances.  This agreement has subsequently been extended for two three-month increments.  Under the terms of the agreement, Nestlé has agreed to pay to the Company certain research and development funding totaling $11.7 million over five and one-half years, subject to earlier termination under specified circumstances. The Company is also eligible to receive milestone payments upon achievement of specific product discovery and development goals, and in the event of commercialization, is entitled to receive royalties on future net sales of products containing a discovered novel flavor ingredient.  There is no guarantee that the Company will receive any milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

Under this second agreement, through December 31, 2006, the Company has received $4.1million in research and development funding. If all milestones are achieved, and including all research and development funding paid or payable, the Company may be entitled to up to $14.0 million. There is no guarantee that the Company will receive any milestone payments or royalties under this collaboration.

In connection with the above listed collaboration agreements, the Company has recognized revenue of $12.2 million, $9.4 million and $8.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company has deferred revenue of $5.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

4. Commitments

Leases and Loans

The Company leases its primary office facility under the Nexus Lease that expires on February 28, 2017. The Company moved the majority of its operations to the new facility in November 2006.  Rent payments on the facility commence April 1, 2007. The Nexus Lease provides for an annual minimum 3% rent increase. The Company began recognizing rent expense upon the facility being ready to occupy.  Gross rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $3.8 million, $4.1 million and $4.0 million, respectively. Prior to moving to the new facility, the Company sublet part of the facility it occupied, and the sublease rental income for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $619,000, $742,000 and $899,000, respectively. Sublease income is recorded as an offset to the Company’s allocated facilities costs. The Company has also entered into various operating lease agreements for office equipment.

70




The estimated annual future minimum rental payments under the Company’s operating leases in effect at December 31, 2006, which expire through 2017, for the years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Operating
Leases

 

2007

 

$

1,804

 

2008

 

2,432

 

2009

 

2,491

 

2010

 

2,552

 

2011

 

2,628

 

Thereafter

 

14,841

 

 

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

$

26,748

 

 

In connection with certain license and collaboration agreements, the Company’s annual future minimum obligation payments are as follows, $56,000, $33,000, $33,000, $18,000, $18,000 and $36,000 for the years ending December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and thereafter, respectively.

5. Stockholders’ Equity

Initial Public Offering

On June 25, 2004, the Company completed an IPO of 6.0 million shares of common stock for proceeds to the Company of $31.9 million, net of underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses.  On July 23, 2004 the Company closed the sale of an additional 450,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise by the underwriters of an over-allotment option which resulted in proceeds to the Company of $2.4 million, net of underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses.

Public Offering

On November 9, 2005, the Company completed a public offering of 4.0 million shares of common stock for proceeds to the Company of $57.3 million, net of underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses.  The offering was made under a shelf registration statement and included the exercise by the underwriters of an over-allotment option of 528,000 shares of common stock.

Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended and restated, authorizes the Company to issue up to 7,500,000 shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.001, in one or more series. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of convertible preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock. The issuance of convertible preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and may adversely affect the market price of the common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock.

Upon the closing of the IPO in June 2004, 25,825,826 shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding automatically converted into 16,205,306 shares of common stock.  No shares of convertible preferred stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2006 or 2005.

Equity Incentive Plan

During 1999, the Company adopted the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which provides for the grant of incentive and non-statutory stock options and restricted stock purchase rights to employees,

71




directors and consultants of the Company. The Plan, as amended, authorizes the Company to issue up to 7,714,412 shares of common stock.  At December 31, 2006, the Company has repurchased a total of 131,153 shares and 2,398,910 shares remain available for grant under the Plan.  The Company issues new shares upon the exercise of stock options.

The Plan allows the Company to grant restricted stock purchase rights at no less than 85% of the fair value of the Company’s common stock as determined by the Board of Directors at the date of the grant. All restricted stock purchase rights vest in accordance with a vesting schedule determined by the Board of Directors, typically over a four-year period.  Under the Plan, 457,069 restricted stock purchase rights have been granted at exercise prices ranging from $0.35 to $0.94 per share, all of which have been exercised as of December 31, 2006, of which no shares are subject to repurchase.

Options granted under the Plan generally expire no later than 10 years from the date of grant (five years for a 10% stockholder). Options generally vest and become fully exercisable over a period of four years.  In certain cases, grants to officers, directors and consultants can be made fully exercisable at the date of grant. The exercise price of incentive stock options must be equal to at least the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, and the exercise price of non-statutory stock options may be no less than 85% of the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price of any option granted to a 10% stockholder may be no less than 110% of the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.  The Company has an option to repurchase all unvested shares, at the original purchase price, upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of employment with, or consulting services provided to, the Company for any reason.  At December 31, 2006, 59,426 shares of common stock were unvested and subject to repurchase.

The following is a further breakdown of the options outstanding as of December 31, 2006:

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Vested and Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Weighted

 

 

 

Weighted

 

Range of

 

 

 

Remaining

 

Average

 

 

 

Average

 

Exercise

 

Number of

 

Contractual

 

Exercise

 

Number of

 

Exercise

 

Prices

 

Options

 

Life

 

Price

 

Options

 

Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.74-6.00

 

495,135

 

6.3

 

$

0.91

 

410,041

 

$

0.93

 

$

6.02-6.02

 

776,708

 

7.4

 

$

6.02

 

442,661

 

$

6.02

 

$

6.30-9.50

 

719,288

 

7.9

 

$

8.69

 

342,526

 

$

8.69

 

$

11.78-15.89

 

547,893

 

8.8

 

$

13.71

 

129,436

 

$

13.09

 

$

16.25-18.99

 

950,850

 

9.1

 

$

16.33

 

11,634

 

$

18.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,489,874

 

8.0

 

$

9.86

 

1,336,298

 

$

5.94

 

 

As of December 31, 2006, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was $14.5 million and $9.5 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2006, the weighted average remaining contractual term for options vested and exercisable was 7.3 years.

72




The following is a summary of stock option and stock award activity under the Plan through December 31, 2006:

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

Number of

 

Average

 

 

 

Shares

 

Exercise Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2004

 

1,404,474

 

$

1.04

 

Granted

 

1,358,778

 

$

6.28

 

Exercised

 

(667,509

)

$

1.03

 

Cancelled

 

(103,033

)

$

4.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2004

 

1,992,710

 

$

4.46

 

Granted

 

753,733

 

$

9.88

 

Exercised

 

(196,270

)

$

3.14

 

Cancelled

 

(66,756

)

$

6.64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

2,483,417

 

$

6.15

 

Granted

 

1,355,290

 

$

15.50

 

Exercised

 

(337,514

)

$

5.16

 

Cancelled

 

(11,319

)

$

10.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

3,489,874

 

$

9.86

 

 

The total intrinsic value of stock option exercises during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $3.1 million, $2.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

During 2004, the Company adopted the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”), which allows all eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the lower of: (i) 85% of the fair market value on the first day of a two-year offering period; or (ii) 85% of the fair market value on the last date of each six-month purchase period within the two-year offering period.  Employees may authorize the Company to withhold up to 15% of their compensation during any purchase period, subject to certain limitations.  The Purchase Plan authorizes up to 673,096 shares to be granted.  At December 31, 2006, 273,755 shares of common stock have been issued under the Purchase Plan at an average price of $6.97 per share.

Shares Reserved for Future Issuance

The following shares of common stock are reserved for future issuance:

 

December 31,
2006

 

Common stock options granted and outstanding

 

3,489,874

 

Common stock options reserved for future grant

 

2,398,910

 

Common stock reserved under Purchase Plan

 

399,341

 

Total common stock shares reserved for future issuance

 

6,288,125

 

 

Shareholders’ Rights Plan

In February 2005, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”).  Terms of the Rights Plan provide for a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Shares”), of the Company.  The dividend was payable on February 21, 2005 to the stockholders of record on that date.  Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Shares”), at a price of $100.00 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, subject to adjustment.  Each one one-hundredth of

73




a share of Preferred Shares has designations and powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions which make its value approximately equal to the value of a Common Share.  The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2005 entered into between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as rights agent.

6. Income Taxes

Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are shown below (in thousands). A valuation allowance of $45.5 million and $37.0 million has been established to offset the net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, as realization of such assets is uncertain.

 

Years ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

33,465

 

$

28,819

 

Capitalized research and development

 

3,976

 

3,309

 

Research and development credits

 

3,830

 

3,159

 

Deferred revenue

 

2,128

 

704

 

Stock compensation

 

1,176

 

 

Other, net

 

889

 

969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

45,464

 

36,960

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

45,464

 

36,960

 

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

 

(45,464

)

(36,960

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

 

$

 

 

The provision for income taxes on earnings subject to income taxes differs from the statutory Federal rate at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, due to the following (in thousands):

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Federal income taxes at 35%

 

$

(8,070

)

$

(6,940

)

$

(6,900

)

State income tax, net of Federal benefit

 

(1,324

)

(963

)

(793

)

Tax effect on non-deductible expenses and credits

 

890

 

459

 

1,528

 

Increase in valuation allowance

 

8,504

 

7,444

 

6,165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

As a result of the adoption of SFAS 123R the Company recognizes windfall tax benefits associated with the exercise of stock options directly to stockholders’ equity only when realized.  Accordingly, deferred tax assets are not recognized for net operating loss carryforwards resulting from windfall tax benefits occurring from January 1, 2006 onward.  At December 31, 2006, deferred tax assets do not include excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of approximately $873,000.

At December 31, 2006, the Company had federal and California tax net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $93.9 million and $25.4 million, respectively. The federal and California tax loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2019 and 2009, respectively, unless previously utilized. The Company

74




also had federal and California research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately $2.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2019 unless previously utilized.

Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 382 and 383, use of the Company’s net operating loss and credit carryforwards may be limited if a cumulative change in ownership of more than 50% occurs within a three-year period.

7. Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

Year Ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 

Selected Quarterly Financial Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

2,411

 

$

3,215

 

$

3,204

 

$

3,400

 

Total operating expenses

 

9,913

 

10,321

 

9,246

 

9,648

 

Net loss

 

(6,628

)

(6,159

)

(5,015

)

(5,255

)

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(0.22

)

$

(0.21

)

$

(0.17

)

$

(0.17

)

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2005

 

 

 

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 

Selected Quarterly Financial Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

2,966

 

$

2,022

 

$

2,130

 

$

2,267

 

Total operating expenses

 

7,783

 

7,457

 

7,050

 

8,269

 

Net loss

 

(4,592

)

(5,185

)

(4,663

)

(5,390

)

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(0.18

)

$

(0.20

)

$

(0.18

)

$

(0.19

)

 

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Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

There were no changes in or disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on accounting and financial disclosure required to be reported under this Item 9.

Item 9A.     Controls and Procedures

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial and Business Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework , our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006.

Our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 has been audited by Ernst &Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Senomyx, Inc.

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting,” that Senomyx Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria).  Senomyx, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable

76




assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that Senomyx, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, Senomyx, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on the COSO criteria .

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the balance sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 of Senomyx, Inc. and our report dated February 20, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

 

 

San Diego, California

 

February 20, 2007

 

 

Item 9B.     Other Information

None.

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PART III

Certain information required by Part III of this Form 10-K is omitted from this report because registrant will file a definitive Proxy Statement within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 31, 2007, referred to as the Proxy Statement, and the information included therein is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 10.     Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information with respect to executive officers required by this item is set forth in Part I of this report.

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy that applies to our directors and employees (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller), and have posted the text of the policy on our website (www.senomyx.com) in connection with “Investor Relations” materials. In addition, we intend to promptly disclose (i) the nature of any amendment to the policy that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and (ii) the nature of any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the policy that is granted to one of these specified individuals, the name of such person who is granted the waiver and the date of the waiver on our website in the future.

The other information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement under the sections entitled “Election of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”

Item 11.     Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information from the Proxy Statement under the sections entitled “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.”

Item 12.     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information from the Proxy Statement under the sections entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans.”

Item 13.     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information from the Proxy Statement under the sections entitled “Election of Directors” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”

Item 14.     Principle Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is incorporated by herein by reference to the information from the Proxy Statement under the section entitled “Principal Accountant Fees and Services.”

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PART IV

Item 15.     Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)            1. Financial Statements

See Index to Financial Statements in Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

2. Financial Statement Schedules

All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or required, or the information required to be set forth therein is included in the Financial Statements or notes thereto included in Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K.

3. Exhibits

Exhibit
Footnote

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description of Document

(1)

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as currently in effect.

(1)

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws as currently in effect.

(2)

 

3.3

 

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on February 14, 2005.

(1)

 

4.1

 

Form of Common Stock Certificate.

(1)

 

4.2

 

Fourth Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement dated November 14, 2001, as amended February 27, 2002, between the Registrant and certain of its stockholders.

(2)

 

4.3

 

Form of Rights Certificate.

(2)

 

4.4

 

Rights Agreement, dated February 14, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Mellon Investor Services LLP.

(1)

 

10.1+

 

Form of Indemnity Agreement.

(1)

 

10.2+

 

Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder.

(1)

 

10.3+

 

2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Form of Offering Document thereunder.

(1)

 

10.4+

 

Employment letter agreement dated February 21, 2000 between the Registrant and Mark Zoller, Ph.D.

(1)

 

10.5+

 

Employment letter agreement dated June 2, 2003 between the Registrant and Kent Snyder.

(1)

 

10.6+

 

Employment letter agreement dated August 25, 2003 between the Registrant and Harry Leonhardt, Esq.

(1)

 

10.7+

 

Employment letter agreement dated September 8, 2003 between the Registrant and John Poyhonen.

(1)

 

10.8

 

Expansion Lease dated November 20, 1995 between Health Science Properties, Inc. and Sequana Therapeutics, Inc., as amended, and Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated July 12, 2000, as amended, between the Registrant and Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(1)

 

10.9*

 

Exclusive License and Bailment Agreement dated March 10, 2000 between the Registrant and the Regents of the University of California.

(1)

 

10.10*

 

Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated November 1, 2000, as amended April 16, 2002, between the Registrant and Aurora Biosciences Corporation.

(1)

 

10.11*

 

Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated December 6, 2000, as amended May 2, 2002, between the Registrant and Kraft Foods, Inc.

(1)

 

10.12*

 

Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated March 28, 2001, as amended July 26, 2002, November 5, 2002 and February 19, 2004 between the Registrant and Campbell Soup Company.

(1)

 

10.13*

 

Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated April 18, 2002, as amended October 23, 2003, between the Registrant and Nestec, Ltd.

 

79




 

(1)

 

10.14*

 

Collaborative Research, Development, Commercialization and License Agreement dated April 22, 2002 between the Registrant and the Coca-Cola Company.

(1)

 

10.17+

 

1999 Equity Incentive Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder.

(2)

 

10.18*

 

Collaborative Research and License Agreement, dated October 26, 2004, between the Registrant and Nestec Ltd.

(3)

 

10.19*

 

Second Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated April 18, 2002, as amended October 23, 2003, between the Registrant and Nestec, Ltd.

(4)

 

10.20*

 

Second Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated December 6, 2000, as amended May 2, 2002, between the Registrant and Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

(5)

 

10.21*

 

Third Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated December 6, 2000, as amended May 2, 2002 and April 29, 2005, between the Registrant and Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

(6)

 

10.22+

 

Summary Description of Senomyx, Inc. Incentive Cash Bonus Program.

(7)

 

10.23*

 

Lease Agreement between ARE-NEXUS CENTRE II, LLC and Registrant.

(7)

 

10.24

 

Seventh Amendment to Expansion Lease by and between ARE-11099 NORTH TORREY PINES, LLC, and Registrant.

(7)

 

10.25*

 

Amended and Restated Fourth Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated December 6, 2000, as amended May 2, 2002, April 29, 2005 and July 29, 2005, between the Registrant and Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

(8)

 

10.26*

 

Fourth Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated March 28, 2001, as amended July 26, 2002, November 5, 2002, February 19, 2004 and February 24, 2006 between the Registrant and Campbell Soup Company.

(8)

 

10.27*

 

Third Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated April 18, 2002, as amended October 23, 2003, April 17, 2005 and March 22, 2006 between the Registrant and Nestec, Ltd.

(8)

 

10.28*

 

Collaborative Research, Development, Commercialization and License Agreement dated March 23, 2006 between the Registrant and Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

(9)

 

10.29

 

Statement dated June 9, 2006 re: extension of Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated October 26, 2004 between the Registrant and Nestec, Ltd.

(10)

 

10.30

 

Description of director compensation provided to Jay Short.

(11)

 

10.31+

 

Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006 by and between the Registrant and Kent Snyder.

(11)

 

10.32+

 

Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006 by and between the Registrant and Mark J. Zoller, Ph.D.

(11)

 

10.33+

 

Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006 by and between the Registrant and Harry J. Leonhardt, Esq.

(11)

 

10.34+

 

Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006 by and between the Registrant and John Poyhonen.

 

 

10.35*

 

First Amendment to the Collaborative Research, Development, Commercialization and License Agreement dated March 23, 2006 between the Registrant and Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

 

 

10.36*

 

Collaborative Research, Commercialization and License Agreement dated October 6, 2006 between the Registrant and Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

 

 

10.37*

 

License Agreement between the Registrant and The Regents of the University of California dated October 11, 2006.

 

 

10.38*

 

Letter Agreement between the Registrant and The Regents of the University of California dated October 11, 2006.

 

 

10.39*

 

Fifth Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated December 6, 2000, as amended May 2, 2002, April 29, 2005, July 29, 2005 and December 9, 2005, between the Registrant and Kraft Foods

 

80




 

 

 

 

Global, Inc.

 

 

10.40+

 

Employment letter agreement dated March 14, 2006 between the Registrant and Sharon Wicker.

 

 

10.41+

 

Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006 by and between the Registrant and Sharon Wicker.

 

 

10.42

 

Statement dated January 9, 2007 re: extension of Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated October 26, 2004 between the Registrant and Nestec, Ltd.

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

24.1

 

Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page.

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Kent Snyder, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of John Poyhonen, Chief Financial and Business Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Kent Snyder, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, and John Poyhonen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial and Business Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


+              Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

*              Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions of this exhibit. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(1)           Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement File No. 333-113998 and incorporated herein by reference.

(2)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.

(3)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

(4)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

(5)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

(6)           Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

(7)           Filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

(8)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

(9)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

(10)         Filed as our Current Report on Form 8-k filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

(11)         Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

81




(b) Exhibits

See Item 15(a) above.

(c) Financial Statement Schedules

See Item 15(a) above.

82




 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Senomyx, Inc.

 

 

By:

/S/ KENT SNYDER

 

 

 

 

Kent Snyder

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive

 

 

 

Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: February 23, 2007

 

 

 

 

83




POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Kent Snyder, Mark Leschly and John Poyhonen, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their or his substitute or substituted, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ KENT SNYDER

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

February 23, 2007

Kent Snyder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ JOHN POYHONEN

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial and

 

February 23, 2007

John Poyhonen

 

Business Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ MARK LESCHLY

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

February 23, 2007

Mark Leschly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ STEPHEN A. BLOCK

 

Director

 

February 23, 2007

Stephen A. Block, Esq.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ MICHAEL HERMAN

 

Director

 

February 23, 2007

Michael E. Herman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ DENNIS F. O’BRIEN

 

Director

 

February 23, 2007

Dennis F. O’Brien

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ JAY M. SHORT

 

Director

 

February 23, 2007

Jay M. Short, Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/S/ CHRISTOPHER TWOMEY

 

Director

 

February 23, 2007

Christopher Twomey

 

 

 

 

 

84




 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Footnote

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description of Document

(1)

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as currently in effect.

(1)

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws as currently in effect.

(2)

 

3.3

 

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on February 14, 2005.

(1)

 

4.1

 

Form of Common Stock Certificate.

(1)

 

4.2

 

Fourth Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement dated November 14, 2001, as amended February 27, 2002, between the Registrant and certain of its stockholders.

(2)

 

4.3

 

Form of Rights Certificate.

(2)

 

4.4

 

Rights Agreement, dated February 14, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Mellon Investor Services LLP.

(1)

 

10.1+

 

Form of Indemnity Agreement.

(1)

 

10.2+

 

Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder.

(1)

 

10.3+

 

2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Form of Offering Document thereunder.

(1)

 

10.4+

 

Employment letter agreement dated February 21, 2000 between the Registrant and Mark Zoller, Ph.D.

(1)

 

10.5+

 

Employment letter agreement dated June 2, 2003 between the Registrant and Kent Snyder.

(1)

 

10.6+

 

Employment letter agreement dated August 25, 2003 between the Registrant and Harry Leonhardt, Esq.

(1)

 

10.7+

 

Employment letter agreement dated September 8, 2003 between the Registrant and John Poyhonen.

(1)

 

10.8

 

Expansion Lease dated November 20, 1995 between Health Science Properties, Inc. and Sequana Therapeutics, Inc., as amended, and Assignment and Assumption of Lease, dated July 12, 2000, as amended, between the Registrant and Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(1)

 

10.9*

 

Exclusive License and Bailment Agreement dated March 10, 2000 between the Registrant and the Regents of the University of California.

(1)

 

10.10*

 

Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated November 1, 2000, as amended April 16, 2002, between the Registrant and Aurora Biosciences Corporation.

(1)

 

10.11*

 

Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated December 6, 2000, as amended May 2, 2002, between the Registrant and Kraft Foods, Inc.

(1)

 

10.12*

 

Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated March 28, 2001, as amended July 26, 2002, November 5, 2002 and February 19, 2004 between the Registrant and Campbell Soup Company.

(1)

 

10.13*

 

Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated April 18, 2002, as amended October 23, 2003, between the Registrant and Nestec, Ltd.

(1)

 

10.14*

 

Collaborative Research, Development, Commercialization and License Agreement dated April 22, 2002 between the Registrant and the Coca-Cola Company.

(1)

 

10.17+

 

1999 Equity Incentive Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder.

(2)

 

10.18*

 

Collaborative Research and License Agreement, dated October 26, 2004, between the Registrant and Nestec Ltd.

(3)

 

10.19*

 

Second Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated April 18, 2002, as amended October 23, 2003, between the Registrant and Nestec, Ltd.

(4)

 

10.20*

 

Second Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated December 6, 2000, as amended May 2, 2002, between the Registrant and Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

(5)

 

10.21*

 

Third Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated December 6, 2000, as amended May 2, 2002 and April 29, 2005,

 

85




 

 

 

 

between the Registrant and Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

(6)

 

10.22+

 

Summary Description of Senomyx, Inc. Incentive Cash Bonus Program.

(7)

 

10.23*

 

Lease Agreement between ARE-NEXUS CENTRE II, LLC and Registrant.

(7)

 

10.24

 

Seventh Amendment to Expansion Lease by and between ARE-11099 NORTH TORREY PINES, LLC, and Registrant.

(7)

 

10.25*

 

Amended and Restated Fourth Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated December 6, 2000, as amended May 2, 2002, April 29, 2005 and July 29, 2005, between the Registrant and Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

(8)

 

10.26*

 

Fourth Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated March 28, 2001, as amended July 26, 2002, November 5, 2002, February 19, 2004 and February 24, 2006 between the Registrant and Campbell Soup Company.

(8)

 

10.27*

 

Third Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated April 18, 2002, as amended October 23, 2003, April 17, 2005 and March 22, 2006 between the Registrant and Nestec, Ltd.

(8)

 

10.28*

 

Collaborative Research, Development, Commercialization and License Agreement dated March 23, 2006 between the Registrant and Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

(9)

 

10.29

 

Statement dated June 9, 2006 re: extension of Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated October 26, 2004 between the Registrant and Nestec, Ltd.

(10)

 

10.30

 

Description of director compensation provided to Jay Short.

(11)

 

10.31+

 

Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006 by and between the Registrant and Kent Snyder.

(11)

 

10.32+

 

Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006 by and between the Registrant and Mark J. Zoller, Ph.D.

(11)

 

10.33+

 

Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006 by and between the Registrant and Harry J. Leonhardt, Esq.

(11)

 

10.34+

 

Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006 by and between the Registrant and John Poyhonen.

 

 

10.35*

 

First Amendment to the Collaborative Research, Development, Commercialization and License Agreement dated March 23, 2006 between the Registrant and Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

 

 

10.36*

 

Collaborative Research, Commercialization and License Agreement dated October 6, 2006 between the Registrant and Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

 

 

10.37*

 

License Agreement between the Registrant and The Regents of the University of California dated October 11, 2006.

 

 

10.38*

 

Letter Agreement between the Registrant and The Regents of the University of California dated October 11, 2006.

 

 

10.39*

 

Fifth Amendment to the Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated December 6, 2000, as amended May 2, 2002, April 29, 2005, July 29, 2005 and December 9, 2005, between the Registrant and Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

 

 

10.40+

 

Employment letter agreement dated March 14, 2006 between the Registrant and Sharon Wicker.

 

 

10.41+

 

Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006 by and between the Registrant and Sharon Wicker.

 

 

10.42

 

Statement dated January 9, 2007 re: extension of Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated October 26, 2004 between the Registrant and Nestec, Ltd.

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

24.1

 

Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page.

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Kent Snyder, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of John Poyhonen, Chief Financial and Business Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Kent Snyder, President, Chief Executive Officer and

 

86




 

 

 

 

Director, and John Poyhonen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial and Business Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


+              Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

*              Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to certain portions of this exhibit. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(1)           Filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement File No. 333-113998 and incorporated herein by reference.

(2)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.

(3)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

(4)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

(5)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

(6)           Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

(7)           Filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

(8)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

(9)           Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

(10)         Filed as our Current Report on Form 8-k filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

(11)         Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.

87



Exhibit 10.35

Execution Copy

***Text Omitted and Filed Separately

with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Confidential Treatment Requested

Under 17 C.F.R. Sections 200.80(b)(4)

and 240.24b-2.

FIRST AMENDMENT

TO

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIALIZATION
AND LICENSE AGREEMENT

This First Amendment is entered into as of October 6, 2006, by and between Senomyx, Inc. (“Senomyx”) and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (“Ajinomoto”).   Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meaning provided therefor in the First Collaboration Agreement (as defined below).

BACKGROUND

WHEREAS, Senomyx and Ajinomoto have previously entered into that certain Collaborative Research, Development, Commercialization and License Agreement, effective March 23, 2006 (the “First Collaboration Agreement”) , for […***…] Program I and […***…] Program II;

WHEREAS, concurrently with this First Amendment the parties are entering into that certain Collaborative Research, Commercialization and License Agreement , effective October 6, 2006 (the “Second Collaboration Agreement”) , for […***…] Program III (as defined therein); and

WHEREAS, under the Second Collaboration Agreement , the parties have agreed that Modifications (as defined in the Second Collaboration Agreement) will be […***…], subject to certain rights granted to Ajinomoto under […***…] Program II;

WHEREAS, the parties hereto have agreed to amend the First Collaboration Agreement, and enter into this First Amendment for the purpose of documenting such amendment as required by Section 17.7 of the First Collaboration Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, the parties hereby agree to amend the First Collaboration Agreement as follows.

AGREEMENT

1.                                        Appendix A to the First Collaboration Agreement is hereby amended by either adding or amending, as provided below, the following definitions:

“Ajinomoto […***…] Compound(s)” has the meaning set forth in the Second Collaboration Agreement.

“Modification(s)” has the meaning set forth in the Second Collaboration Agreement.   For the avoidance of doubt, Modifications do not include the Senomyx […***…] Compounds.

***Confidential Treatment Requested




“[…***…] Compounds” means all the compounds Controlled by Senomyx, except for […***…] Compounds, Senomyx […***…] Compounds and […***…] Modifications.

“Royalty Term” means, in the case of any […***…] Product and as to any country within the Territory, the period of time commencing on the first commercial sale of such […***…] Product in such country and ending upon the date that there no longer exists a Valid Claim in any Senomyx Patent Rights claiming the manufacture, use or sale of such […***…] Product (or Senomyx […***…] […***…] Compound or Selected Senomyx […***…] Compound licensed hereunder contained therein) in any country within the Territory in which such […***…] Product is sold, except that in the case of an […***…] Product containing a […***…] Modification the Royalty Term will be the […***…] Modification Royalty Term.  In the event that an […***…] Product contains a […***…] Modification and one or more other Senomyx […***…] Compounds or Senomyx […***…] Compounds, the applicable Royalty Term shall be the […***…] period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, jointly owned Ajinomoto Sole Inventions or […***…] will not […***…]; provided , however , that […***…].

“Senomyx […***…] Compounds” means […***…] Compounds that are […***…].

“[…***…] Test” means a determination of […***…] using an appropriate standard algorithm based on […***…] of the compounds to be […***…] to the parent Ajinomoto […***…] Compound.  Suitable […***…] for this purpose include, but are not limited to, […***…] as the parties may agree upon in writing from time to time.  If the […***…] is determined using […***…] for each of the molecules , then the results must agree, otherwise the [ …***… ] result will be the definitive result .

“[…***…] Modifications” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(E) of this Agreement.  […***…] Modifications shall be considered […***…] Compounds.

***Confidential Treatment Requested




“[…***…] Modifications” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(E) of this Agreement.

“[…***…] Modification Royalty Term” means, as to any […***…] Product containing a […***…] Modification and as to any country, the […***…] of (i) […***…] from the date of […***…] of the applicable [...***...] Product containing a Modification in such country, or (ii) [...***...] from the date of the applicable [...***...], as the case may be, regarding such [...***...] Product containing a Modification.

“[...***...] Field” means [...***...] Product Category I, [...***...] Product Category II, [...***...] Product Category III, [...***...] Product Category IV and [...***...] Product Category V.

“[...***...] Product Category V” means [...***...] for Senomyx [...***...] Compounds which are [...***...] Modifications.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the [...***...] Product Category V specifically excludes [...***...].  For the avoidance of doubt, Senomyx [...***...] Compounds which are [...***...] Modifications may be [...***...].

2.                                        Section 3.3 of the First Collaboration Agreement is hereby amended as described below.

2.1                                  The first sentence of the first paragraph of Section 3.3 of the First Collaboration Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“During the Collaborative Period, Senomyx will collaborate with Ajinomoto in [...***...] Program II on (i) an Exclusive basis with respect to [...***...] in [...***...] Product Category I in the Territory; (ii) a Co-Exclusive basis [...***...] in [...***...] Product Category II in the Territory; (iii) an Exclusive basis [...***...] in [...***...] Product Category II in the Territory; (iv) an Exclusive basis [...***...] in [...***...] Product Category III in the Territory; (v) an Exclusive basis [...***...] in [...***...] Product Category IV in the Territory; and (vi) an Exclusive basis [...***...] in  [...***...] Product Category V in the Territory.”

2.2                                  The fourth sentence of Section 3.3(B) of the First Collaboration Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

***Confidential Treatment Requested




“With respect to each Senomyx [...***...] Compound [...***...] in the course of [...***...] Program II, by no later than [...***...] immediately following the Collaborative Period (the “Selection Date”), Ajinomoto may, upon written notice to Senomyx, select up to [...***...] Senomyx [...***...] Compound(s) (including a maximum of [...***...] Modifications), or such larger reasonable number as the parties shall reasonably agree, for development; provided , however , that if a Regulatory Approval has been obtained with respect to a Senomyx [...***...] Compound at least [...***...] prior to the Selection Date, Ajinomoto may decide by a date which is [...***...] after the date of [...***...] whether Ajinomoto selects such compound or not; provided further , that Ajinomoto shall [...***...]”  Notwithstanding the immediately foregoing proviso, in no event shall Senomyx be relieved of its obligations [...***...] or Ajinomoto be deemed to [...***...] under Section 8.7 as a result of any such failure to select.

2.3                                  A new Section 3.3(E) is hereby added to the First Collaboration Agreement as follows:

“(E)         Modifications .  To the extent that either party makes a Modification with respect to any [...***...] Compound at any time during the longer of the Term or [...***...] from the date of the [...***...] with respect to such [...***...] Compound, then that party shall (i) promptly test such Modification using the [...***...] Test, (ii) notify the other party of the [...***...] of such Modification and the results of such [...***...] Test at the next meeting of the Steering Committee or, if such meetings are no longer taking place, within [...***...] following such Modification (“Modification Notice”) and (iii) thereafter provide the other party with any other information reasonably requested.  In the event that the results of such [...***...] Test indicate that any such Modification is [...***...] to any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound, then such Modification shall be deemed a “[...***...] Modification”.  Any Modification that is not a [...***...] Modification shall be deemed a “[...***...] Modification”.  For the avoidance of doubt, all Modifications are [...***...] of the Second Collaboration Agreement.  The rights and obligations of the parties with respect to patent prosecution and maintenance of Patent Rights claiming Modifications are set forth in Section 11.1 of the Second Collaboration Agreement.”

***Confidential Treatment Requested




3.                                        Section 7.5 of the First Collaboration Agreement is hereby amended as described below.

3.1                                  The first sentence of Section 7.5 of the First Collaboration Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:

“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.7, Ajinomoto will pay to Senomyx a royalty of [...***...] on [...***...] during the Royalty Term; provided , however , that the royalty rate of the sales of [...***...] Products in [...***...] Product Category III, [...***...] Product Category IV and ingredient supply applications within [...***...] Product Category V shall be [...***...] on [...***...].”

3.2                                  The third, fourth and fifth sentences of Section 7.5 of the First Collaboration Agreement are hereby amended and restated as follows:

“In the event that Ajinomoto sells [...***...] Products to Affiliates of Ajinomoto, royalties will be based on [...***...].  In all cases, sales by Ajinomoto (and its Affiliates) to Third Parties, including, without limitation, as provided for in (b) and (c) above, the sales price in such transactions shall be determined on an arms length basis.  Ajinomoto will provide Senomyx with a copy of [...***...] to an Affiliate, which shall be [...***...], provided that Ajinomoto may [...***...] other than the transfer price in any [...***...].  For the avoidance of doubt, (i) [...***...] Products in [...***...] Product Category III and [...***...] Product Category IV shall always be sold as a [...***...] and shall, in no event, be sold as [...***... ].”

4.                                        Section 8 of the First Collaboration Agreement is hereby amended as described below.

4.1                                  The first sentence of Section 8.2 of the First Collaboration Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“A non-exclusive, nontransferable (except as permitted under Sections 8.3 and 17.12), license under the Senomyx Technology to [...***...] Senomyx [...***...] Compound(s) [...***...] in [...***...] Product Category I, [...***...] Product Category II, [...***...] Pro duct Category III, [...***...]

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Product Category IV [...***...] and [...***...] Product Category V (with respect to [...***...] Modifications) in the Territory.”

4.2                                  A new Section 8.2(E) is hereby added to the First Collaboration Agreement as follows:

“(E)         [ ...***... ] Product Category V .  With respect to [...***...] Modifications, an Exclusive, nontransferable (except as permitted under Sections 8.3 and 17.12) license under the Senomyx Technology to (i) [...***...] Senomyx [...***...] Compounds solely for development of [...***...] Products in [...***...] Product Category V in the Territory; (ii) make, have made, use, sell, offer for sale, have sold, import and export [...***...] Products containing Selected Senomyx [...***...] Compounds in [...***...] Product Category V in the Territory; and (iii) make and have made Selected Senomyx [...***...] Compounds to be used by Ajinomoto and/or its Affiliates (only if pursuant to a permitted sublicense as provided for in Section 8.3) in [...***...] Products in [...***...] Product Category V in the Territory, subject to Section 13.”

4.3                                  A new Section 8.7 is hereby added to the First Collaboration Agreement as follows:

8.7         Restrictions on Use of [...***...] Modifications .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the First Collaboration Agreement or the Second Collaboration Agreement, Senomyx agrees that, during the longer of the Term or the term of the Second Collaboration Agreement, it will not [...***...]; provided , however , that in no event will this Section 8.7 prevent Senomyx from [...***...]. Anything in this Agreement or the Second Collaboration Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, for so long as an Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound remains [...***...], Senomyx [...***...], any [...***...] Modification of such Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound in [...***...]; provided , however , that in no event will this Section 8.8 prevent Senomyx from [...***...].”

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4.4                                  A new Section 8.8 is hereby added to the First Collaboration Agreement as follows:

8.8        Research License for Ajinomoto [ ...***... ] Compounds.   Pursuant to Section 8.4.1 of the First Collaboration Agreement, Ajinomoto hereby grants to Senomyx a [...***...] license to use any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound, following [...***...] with respect thereto, [...***...] under [...***...] Program II to discover Modifications.  For the avoidance of doubt, this license will not include the right to sub-license unless Ajinomoto gives its consent, which may be withheld for any reason.  “

5.                                        Section 15.4 of the First Collaboration Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Survival.   The obligations and rights of the parties under Sections 3.3(E), 4.1 (only with respect to [...***...] Modifications and only for so long as the Second Collaboration Agreement remains in effect) 7.10, 7.11, 8.4.2, 8.4.3, 8.7, 9, 10, 11.2 through 11.7, 14, 15, 16, 17, and Appendix A, will survive termination or expiration of this Agreement; provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Section 7.11 survive for more than [...***...].”

6 .                                        Except as specifically amended by this First Amendment, the terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

7 .                                        The parties will agree upon a press release to announce the execution of the Second Collaboration Agreement and this First Amendment and their material terms, the form of which press release is attached as Appendix C to the Second Collaboration Agreement.  Thereafter, Ajinomoto and Senomyx may each disclose to third parties the information contained in such press release without the need for further approval by the other party.

8 .                                        This First Amendment will be governed by the laws of the State of California, U.S.A., as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and to be performed entirely within such State.

9 .                                        This First Amendment shall be effective as of the date first written above.

1 0.                                  This First Amendment may be executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties, through their authorized officers, have executed this First Amendment as of the date set forth hereinabove .

SENOMYX, INC.

 

AJINOMOTO CO., INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kent Snyder

 

By:

/s/ Tohru Nishiyama

Name:

Kent Snyder

 

Name:

Tohru Nishiyama

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Title:

Member of the Board & Corporate Executive Deputy President

 

 

 

Date:

October 11, 2006

 

Date:

October 11, 2006

 

***Confidential Treatment Requested



Exhibit 10.36

***Text Omitted and Filed Separately with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.  Confidential Treatment Requested
Under 17 C.F.R. Sections 200.80(b)(4) and 240.24b-2.

Execution Copy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH , COMMERCIALIZATION
AND LICENSE AGREEMENT
FOR [...***...] PROGRAM III

BETWEEN

SENOMYX, INC.

AND

AJINOMOTO CO., INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

***Confidential Treatment Requested




COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH, COMMERCIALIZATION AND
LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR [...***...] PROGRAM III

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of October 6, 2006 (the “Effective Date”) by and between SENOMYX, INC., a Delaware Corporation having offices at 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, U.S.A. (“Senomyx”) and AJINOMOTO CO., INC., a Japanese Corporation, having its principal place of business at 15-1, Kyobashi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8315 , Japan (“Ajinomoto”).

BACKGROUND

Whereas, Ajinomoto and Senomyx have entered into a Collaborative Research, Development, Commercialization and License Agreement dated March 23, 2006, as amended by that certain First Amendment dated the date hereof (“First Collaboration Agreement”), whereunder the parties have agreed to collaborate on [...***...] Program I and [...***...] Program II and Senomyx has granted to Ajinomoto certain license and commercialization rights.  Ajinomoto and Senomyx desire to enter into this Agreement for an additional collaborative research and development program to discover and develop Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds during the Collaborative Period under the Research Plan for use in the Field and Territory (the “[...***...] Program III”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing promises and of the covenants, representations and agreements set forth below, the parties hereby agree as follows:

THE AGREEMENT

1.                                        Definitions .  Certain terms set forth in this Agreement with initial capitals are defined in Appendix A, which is incorporated herein by reference.  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement without definition shall have the meanings provided therefore in the First Collaboration Agreement.

2.                                        Steering Committee .  Within [...***...] of the Effective Date, the parties will establish a joint steering committee, which will be made up of representatives from the parties (the “Steering Committee”).  The Steering Committee will direct the efforts of [...***...] Program III.  The Steering Committee will consist of two (2) representatives designated by Senomyx and two (2) representatives designated by Ajinomoto.  Steering Committee members may delegate their voting powers to delegates from their respective companies.  Each member of the Steering Committee will have one (1) vote. The Steering Committee will meet at least four (4) times per year during the Collaborative Period, and thereafter from time to time, using mutually agreed upon meeting locations and formats including teleconferencing and videoconferencing. Each party shall bear its own expenses relating to the meetings and activities of the Steering Committee. Senomyx will prepare and deliver to the members of the Steering Committee minutes of such

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meetings for review and approval by both parties. Decisions of the Steering Committee will be made by unanimous vote, at a meeting where all four voting representatives are present, or by unanimous written consent.

3.                                        Collaborative Program .

3.1                                  Research Plan ; Staffing .

3.1.1                         Research Plan.  The parties will prepare the Research Plan within [...***...] from the Effective Date and will conduct [...***...] Program III pursuant thereto.  The Research Plan will be reviewed at the first meeting of the Steering Committee.  Senomyx will prepare the Research Plan and, after review and comment by Ajinomoto, the Steering Committee will authorize the same.

3.1.2                         Staffing .  Senomyx represents and warrants that the personnel it will provide to participate in [...***...] Program III are qualified to perform the work in the Research Plan.  Senomyx shall identify to Ajinomoto the Senomyx personnel, including their academic and work experience, who shall participate in [...***...] Program III.  Senomyx may change such personnel to other qualified personnel from time to time, in its reasonable discretion, provided that, to the extent reasonably possible, Senomyx shall notify Ajinomoto in advance of any such change and identify to Ajinomoto such new personnel, including their academic and work experience.

3.2                                  [...***...] Program III .   During the Collaborative Period, Senomyx will collaborate with Ajinomoto in [...***...] Program III on an Exclusive basis within the Field in the Territory.

3.2.1                         Research Plan .  The Research Plan for [...***...] Program III shall include [...***...].  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Ajinomoto shall not knowingly provide Senomyx with any [...***...] in [...***...] for [...***...].

3.2.2                         Responsibilities of the Parties .  During the Collaborative Period, Senomyx will use its reasonable commercial efforts using the applicable Research Fees provided under Section 6.1 to perform the activities outlined in the Research Plan.  [...***... ], Senomyx will prepare a data package for Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds describing the results of the research conducted pursuant to Section 3.2.1, subject to agreement of the

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parties on the contents of such data package. During the Collaborative Period, Ajinomoto will use its reasonable commercial efforts to perform the activities in accordance with the Research Plan, and the evaluation of the data package.  With respect to each Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound discovered in the course of [...***...] Program III, Ajinomoto may, upon written notice to Senomyx, select any such Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound(s) for development.  Ajinomoto will provide written notice to Senomyx of all Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds selected for development and any such compounds will be deemed Selected Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds.  During the Collaborative Period, Senomyx and Ajinomoto will cooperate in good faith to support the other party’s performance of the activities set forth in the Research Plan.  Upon expiration of the Collaborative Period, the parties’ research and development obligations pursuant to this Section 3.2 will expire.  Ajinomoto at all times shall be free to develop, use, commercialize, license and/or otherwise dispose of any and all such Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds, subject only to its obligations under this Agreement; provided , however , that if (i) at least [...***...] identified under [...***...] Program III is not selected as a Selected Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound(s) pursuant to this Section 3.2.2 by the Selection Date and (ii) Ajinomoto has not otherwise paid at least [...***...] under the First Collaboration Agreement or [...***...] under this Agreement, Ajinomoto will be precluded from [...***...] any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound without the written consent of Senomyx.  For the avoidance of doubt, Ajinomoto will not [...***...] any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound for which Ajinomoto has not notified Senomyx of its selection for development as a Selected Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound.

3 .2.3                         Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds At the Steering Committee meeting immediately following [...***...], Ajinomoto will notify the Steering Committee of the [...***...] in order to determine via review of the applicable data and information whether [...***...].   Such [...***...] shall be considered Confidential Information of Ajinomoto.  If such [...***...] is not determined by the Steering Committee to be a [...***...], and such [...***...] otherwise meets the definition of Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds, then it will be deemed to be an Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound [...***...].  If neither all the members of the Steering Committee nor the parties can agree whether such [...***...] is an [...***... ]

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[ ...***...], then either party may seek to resolve such dispute pursuant to the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section 16.4.  Ajinomoto must provide [...***...] to Senomyx by no later than [...***...] days immediately following the Collaborative Period.  If Senomyx is not provided [...***...] for a [...***...] within such period, [...***...].

3.2.4                         Exclusivity .  During the Collaborative Period, Senomyx [...***...].  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 3.2.3 will not be construed as [...***...] (subject to any obligations, including without limitation, any exclusivity obligations, in the First Collaboration Agreement).  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Ajinomoto at all times shall be free to [...***...]following the Collaborative Period, subject to its obligations under this Agreement.

3.3                                  Ajinomoto [...***...] Product Development and Commercialization .  Within [...***...] of Ajinomoto’s first selection of an Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound, Ajinomoto shall provide Senomyx with [...***...] of Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds, including plans for Ajinomoto [...***...] Product development, manufacturing and consumer acceptance testing.  Ajinomoto will provide, at each Steering Committee meeting or if such meetings are no longer taking place, then on a [...***...] basis, [...***...] reports to Senomyx, which will include, without limitation, [...***...] of any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound.  Such reports will be treated as Confidential Information of Ajinomoto.  Ajinomoto will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain Regulatory Approval for [...***...] Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound and will use commercially reasonable efforts to commercialize [...***...] Ajinomoto [...***...] Product containing one or more Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds within [...***...] from the Regulatory Approval Date for the first Regulatory Approval obtained for an Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound.  For the avoidance of doubt, Ajinomoto will be responsible for [...***...]

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[…***…] of Ajinomoto [...***...] Product prototypes.

3.4                                  Regulatory .  Regulatory matters shall be handled as follows.

3.4.1                         Regulatory Filings .  All regulatory filings for any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds and all Regulatory Approvals received or issued in connection therewith shall be [...***...].  Any data generated under this Agreement for an Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound that is required to submit or complete a regulatory filing or obtain Regulatory Approval (“Regulatory Filing Data”) shall be [...***...].

3.4.2                         Cost of Filings .  [...***...] will be responsible for the costs associated with the regulatory filings and the Regulatory Filing Data for the Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds.

3.4.3                         Notice of Regulatory Approval .  Upon selection of each Selected Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound, Ajinomoto will provide Senomyx with a nonbinding regulatory plan (“Regulatory Plan”).  The Regulatory Plan(s) will set forth the following [...***...].  Ajinomoto will provide, at each Steering Committee meeting or if such meetings are no longer taking place, then on a [...***...] basis, updates of the Regulatory Plan(s), which may be incorporated into the minutes of the Steering Committee.  Ajinomoto will notify Senomyx within [...***...] following [...***...] of any Regulatory Approval.

4.                                        Law and Regulation .  The [...***...] Compounds, Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds, Selected Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds, and any other materials provided by Senomyx under this Agreement must be used in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation, all import and export laws and regulations.

5.                                        Reporting .  During the Collaborative Period, each party will report to the other a written summary, the contents of which shall be determined by the parties following the Effective Date, of results of research and development work it carries out, if any, under this Agreement within [...***...] after each quarterly Steering Committee meeting.  The exchange of such report may be reasonably supplemented, at the request of the party receiving a report, by correspondence and/or, upon reasonable prior notice, visits to the other party’s facilities.  Subject to Section 3.2.3, anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Ajinomoto shall be under no obligation to report to Senomyx [...***... ]

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[…***…].  Each party shall promptly bring to the other party’s attention any [...***...] with respect to any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound.

6.                                        Financial Terms .

6.1                                  Research Fees .

6.1.1                         Research Fees .  During the Collaborative Period, Ajinomoto will pay Senomyx research fees for the work of Senomyx under [...***...] Program III (“Research Fees”).  The Research Fees for the first year of [...***...] Program III shall be US$[...***...] (which shall be equivalent to the cost of [...***...] for [...***...] Program III on the basis of US$[...***...] per FTE, including, without limitation, the cost of overhead, salaries and necessary materials and supplies for such FTEs).  The Research Fees for the second year of [...***...] Program III shall be a minimum of US$[...***...].  The Research Fees for the third year of [...***...] Program III shall be a minimum of US$[...***...].  The Research Fees will be paid in equal [...***...] installments payable in advance.  The first payment will be made within [...***...] following the Effective Date.  The Research Fees do not include:  [...***...].

6.1.2                         Reallocation of Research Fees .  The Steering Committee may, upon [...***...] written notice, reallocate Research Fees from [...***...] Program II, in whole or in part, under Section 7.3 of the First Collaboration Agreement to [...***...] Program III.  Such Research Fees reallocated from the First Collaboration Agreement [...***...].  In no event will Research Fees under this Agreement [...***...].  In the event all Research Fees are reallocated from [...***...] Program II to [...***...] Program III, Senomyx shall be [...***...] under Section 3 of the First Collaboration Agreement, and the period defined as the [ ...***...] in the First Collaboration Agreement [...***...].  For the avoidance of doubt, in the

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event of [...***...], the Selection Date for [...***...] Program II as set forth in Section 3.3(B) of the First Collaboration Agreement shall be [...***...] following [...***...].  For the avoidance of doubt, Ajinomoto must retain at least [...***...] allocated to [...***...] Program II in order to [...***...] thereunder.

6.2                                  Milestone Payments .  Ajinomoto will pay Senomyx the following non-creditable, non-refundable milestone payments within [...***...] of the occurrence, and written backup information to Ajinomoto from Senomyx, of the following milestone events for [...***...] Program III:

·                   Milestone 1 : [...***...]; provided, however , [...***...];

·                   Milestone 2 : [...***...]; provided, however , [...***...]; and

·                   Milestone 3 : [...***...]; provided, however , [...***...].

6.3                                  [...***...] for Ajinomoto [...***...] Products .

6.3.1                         [...***...]  In consideration for the use of Senomyx Technology in [...***...] Program III, pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.5, Ajinomoto will pay to Senomyx a [...***...] of

***Confidential Treatment Requested

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[...***...] on [...***...] during the [...***...] Term.  For the avoidance of doubt, there shall be [...***...]; provided , however , that Ajinomoto will pay the [...***...].  For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that one or more additional Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds is added to an Ajinomoto [...***...] Product, the [...***...] Term will [...***...].  In the event that Ajinomoto sells Ajinomoto [...***...] Products to Affiliates of Ajinomoto , the royalty [...***...] will be based on [...***... ].  In all cases, sales by Ajinomoto (and its Affiliates, licensees and sublicensees) to Third Parties, including, without limitation, as provided for in (b) and (c) above, the sales price in such transactions shall be determined [...***...].

6.3.2                         [...***...] Obligation Following Any Commercialization.   For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that at any time during or after the Term Ajinomoto commercializes any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound , Ajinomoto will be obligated to pay Senomyx [...***...], regardless of whether any such Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound is selected as a Selected Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Ajinomoto be obligated to pay [...***...] with respect to any Ajinomoto [...***...] Product for any period longer than the [...***...] Term.

6.4                                  Minimum Annual Royalties [...***...].

6.4.1                         Minimum Annual Royalty [...***...] Amount.   One single minimum annual royalty [...***...] (“MAR”) structure will apply to Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds, Senomyx [...***...] Compounds and Selected Senomyx [...***...] Compounds.  Such structure shall be the structure set forth in Section 7.6 of the First Collaboration Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference and will apply to Ajinomoto

***Confidential Treatment Requested

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[...***...] Compounds .  If MAR payments have not been triggered or if the application of the MAR provisions is reset with respect to Senomyx [...***...] Compounds and/or Selected Senomyx [...***...] Compounds, then with respect to any triggering by Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds of future MAR obligations, Ajinomoto’s obligation to meet the MAR will commence on the first day of the calendar quarter immediately following the day when Ajinomoto first sells Ajinomoto [...***...] Products in (x) [...***...] and/or (y) [...***...] (as the case may be).  Ajinomoto’s obligations to meet the MAR will continue throughout the [...***...] Term for Ajinomoto [...***...] Products.

6.4.2                         Calculation of the MAR.  The amount by which the aggregate amount of [...***...] for a Minimum Annual Royalty Year (as defined below) is less than the amount of the relevant MAR shall be paid by Ajinomoto to Senomyx within [...***...] from the end of that Minimum Annual Royalty Year; provided , however , that a “Minimum Annual Royalty Year” for each of (i) [...***...], shall mean each twelve-(12)-month period commencing on the earlier of the Commercialization Date or the first date of commencement of Ajinomoto’s obligation to meet the MAR with respect to any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound, as the case may be, and each anniversary thereof.  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, with respect to the MAR for (i) [...***...], the aggregate amount of earned royalties [...***...] in [...***...] and the pro rata share of earned royalties [...***...] outside of the First Collaboration Agreement Territory applicable to [...***...] shall be used to determine whether a MAR payment is due with respect to [...***...], and (ii) [...***...], the aggregate amount of earned royalties [...***...] in the First Collaboration Agreement Territory [...***...], and the pro rata share of earned royalties [...***...] outside of the First Collaboration Agreement Territory applicable to the First Collaboration Agreement Territory [...***...] shall be used to determine whether a MAR payment is due with respect to such [...***...].   By way of example, for any Minimum Annual Royalty Year :  (i) all earned royalties [...***...] of Ajinomoto [...***...] Products in the First Collaboration Agreement Territory for such Minimum Annual Royalty Year will be creditable towards the MAR applicable during such Minimum Annual Royalty Year; and (ii) all

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earned royalties [...***...] of Ajinomoto [...***...] Products outside of the First Collaboration Agreement Territory for such Minimum Annual Royalty Year will be creditable on a pro rata basis to the MAR applicable during such Minimum Annual Royalty Year for each of [...***...] and [...***...] other than [...***...].

6.4.3                         Pro Ration of the MAR.   In the event of the expiration or termination of this Agreement, the MAR for the final Minimum Annual Royalty Year shall be calculated by [...***...].

6.4.4                         Reset of MAR.  The reset provision of Section 7.6.4 of the First Collaboration Agreement will apply to Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds through the [...***...] Term and, therefore, by way of example, if the MAR is triggered with respect to Senomyx [...***...] Compounds and/or Selected Senomyx [...***...] Compounds, and if [...***...] or more elapses after cessation of the sale of a product consisting of or containing Senomyx [...***...] Compounds and/or Selected Senomyx [...***...] Compounds before Ajinomoto’s first sale of an Ajinomoto [...***...] Product, then the application of the MAR provisions shall start anew from the first year MAR amount provided for in Section 7.6.1 of the First Collaboration Agreement.

6.5                                  Payment Terms.   The [...***...] due under Section 6.3 will be paid within [...***...] after the end of each calendar [...***...] period in which such [...***...] are earned during the [...***...] Term for [...***...].  With each such [...***...] payment, Ajinomoto (or its respective Affiliate) will furnish to Senomyx a [...***...] statement in sufficient detail to permit confirmation of the accuracy of the [...***...] payment made, which sets forth on a country-by-country basis the [...***...], the [...***...] payable in United States dollars, the method used to calculate the [...***...], the exchange rate used and [...***...].

6.6                                  Currency of Payment . All payments to be made under this Agreement, including the [...***...] payable to Senomyx by Ajinomoto, will be paid in United States dollars by wire transfer or other mutually acceptable means to a bank account designated by Senomyx.  With respect to each

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quarter, for countries other than the United States, whenever conversion of payments from any foreign currency are required, such conversion will be made at [...***...].

6.7                                  Taxes Withheld .  Any income or other tax that Ajinomoto or any of its Affiliates is required by a government agency to withhold and pay on behalf of Senomyx with respect to milestone payments, [...***...] or any other payments payable under this Agreement will be deducted from and offset against such [...***...] prior to remittance to Senomyx; provided , however , that in regard to any tax so deducted, Ajinomoto will give or cause to be given to Senomyx such assistance as may reasonably be necessary to enable Senomyx to claim exemption from or credit for the tax so deducted, and in each case will without delay furnish to Senomyx proper evidence of the taxes paid on Senomyx’s behalf.

6.8                                  Late Payment .  In the event that any payment, including [...***...] payments, due hereunder is not made when due, the payment will accrue interest from that date due at the rate of [...***...] per annum; provided , however , that in no event will such rate exceed the maximum legal annual interest rate.  The payment of such interest will not limit the receiving party from exercising any other rights it may have as a consequence of the lateness of any payment.

6.9                                  Records of [...***...] and [...***...] Calculations .  During the [...***...] Term and for a period of [...***...] thereafter, Ajinomoto will keep complete and accurate records of [...***...] in sufficient detail to allow the accrued [...***...] to be determined accurately in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles of the relevant country and to verify the [...***...] payments pursuant to Section 6.3.  Senomyx, following reasonable prior written notice to Ajinomoto, will have the right [...***...] in order to verify the accuracy of the reports of [...***...] and [...***...] payments.  [...***...].  Senomyx will bear [...***...] unless [...***...]

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[…***…], in which event, Ajinomoto will bear [...***...].  In all events, Ajinomoto will pay any underpayment with interest in accordance with Section 6.8 and Senomyx shall refund any overpayment with interest in accordance with Section 6.8.  Senomyx acknowledges that the information concerning [...***...] payments reports, and all other information learned [...***...] constitutes the Confidential Information of Ajinomoto, but Senomyx may disclose the same to the extent necessary for Senomyx to enforce its rights under this Agreement or if disclosure is required by law or falls under an exception under Section 9.4; provided , however , that in the event of such disclosure, Senomyx shall observe the provisions of the second paragraph of Section 9.4.

7.                                        License Grants .

7.1                                  From Ajinomoto to Senomyx, Inc.

7.1.1                         [...***...].  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Ajinomoto hereby grants to Senomyx a non-exclusive nontransferable (except as provided under Section 16.12) license to use [...***...] in the continental United States of America for the sole purpose of performing its obligations under this Agreement.  Unless otherwise agreed to by Ajinomoto, in no event shall Senomyx use [...***...] except to [...***...] pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

7.1.2                         Possible Future Grants.  If Ajinomoto identifies any [ ...***...] that may be relevant or useful for the research purposes under this Agreement, [...***...] license for Senomyx to use the relevant [...***...] for the [...***...].  For the avoidance of doubt, this license will not include the right to sub-license unless Ajinomoto gives its consent, which may be withheld for any reason.

7.1.3                         [...***...] Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, [...***...] a license to any [...***...] for the sole purpose of practicing the licenses granted pursuant to Section 7.1.2.

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7. 2                                 From Senomyx to Ajinomoto .   Senomyx hereby grants to Ajinomoto a non-exclusive, non-transferable license, with the right to sublicense as provided in Section 8.7.2 below , under Senomyx Technology covering [...***...] solely to [...***...] Ajinomoto [...***...] Products; provided , however such license shall not include a license to [...***...].  For the avoidance of doubt, this license only applies to [...***...] Compounds d etermined to be Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds under Section 3.2.3.

8.                                        Ownership of Intellectual Property .

8.1                                  Retention of Rights .  Senomyx retains all rights in Senomyx Technology not expressly licensed, assigned or jointly owned pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  Ajinomoto retains all rights in Ajinomoto Technology not expressly licensed, assigned or jointly owned pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement is intended to convey or transfer ownership or the grant of any license or sublicense by one party to the other party of any rights in any Confidential Information, Patent Rights or Know-How Controlled by a party.

8.2                                  Senomyx Sole Inventions .  Senomyx will own all Inventions and other Know-How made solely by its employees and agents under this Agreement, [...***...] (the “Senomyx Sole Inventions”), and all claims within Patent Rights claiming such Inventions and Know-How.  Senomyx hereby irrevocably assigns to Ajinomoto all right, title and interest in and to any such Senomyx Sole Inventions [...***...] that consist of improvements to the Ajinomoto Technology, excluding Jointly Owned Technology (“Ajinomoto Improvements”), and all claims within Patent Rights claiming such Senomyx Sole Inventions, subject to any license granted to Senomyx pursuant to Section 7.  In the event that Senomyx is legally unable to assign such rights to Ajinomoto, then Senomyx agrees either to waive the enforcement of such rights against Ajinomoto and any sublicensees and assignees, or to grant Ajinomoto an Exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, fully paid-up license, with right to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicense, to such rights, subject to any license granted to Senomyx pursuant to Section 7.

8.3                                  Ajinomoto Sole Inventions .  Ajinomoto will own all Inventions and other Know-How made solely by its employees and agents under this Agreement, [...***...], (“Ajinomoto Sole Inventions”), and all claims within Patent Rights claiming such

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Inventions and Know-How.  Ajinomoto hereby irrevocably assigns to Senomyx all right, title and interest in and to any such Ajinomoto Sole Inventions [...***...] that consist of improvements to the Senomyx Technology, excluding Jointly Owned Technology (“Senomyx Improvements”) and all claims within Patent Rights claiming such Ajinomoto Sole Inventions.  In the event that Ajinomoto is legally unable to assign such rights to Senomyx, then Ajinomoto agrees either to waive the enforcement of such rights against Senomyx and any sublicensees and assignees, or to grant Senomyx an Exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, fully paid-up license, with right to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicense, to such rights.   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, at no time during or for [...***...] after the Term will Ajinomoto file Patent Rights disclosing Senomyx Confidential Information.

8.4                                  Joint Inventions.   All Inventions and other Know-How made under this Agreement jointly by employees or agents of Senomyx and employees or agents of Ajinomoto (the “Joint Inventions”) and all claims within Patent Rights claiming such Joint Inventions will be owned jointly by Ajinomoto and Senomyx.  Ajinomoto hereby irrevocably assigns to Senomyx all interest in and to any Joint Inventions made in the course of [...***...] Program III during the Collaborative Period that consist of Senomyx Improvements and all claims within Patent Rights claiming such Joint Inventions.  In the event that Ajinomoto is legally unable to assign such rights to Senomyx, then Ajinomoto agrees either to waive the enforcement of such rights against Senomyx and any sublicensees and assignees, or to grant Senomyx an Exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, fully paid-up license, with right to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicense, to such rights.  Senomyx hereby irrevocably assigns to Ajinomoto all interest in and to any Joint Inventions made in the course of [...***...] Program III during the Collaborative Period that consist of Ajinomoto Improvements, and all claims within Patent Rights claiming such Joint Inventions, subject to any licenses granted to Senomyx pursuant to Section 7.  In the event that Senomyx is legally unable to assign such rights to Ajinomoto, then Senomyx agrees either to waive the enforcement of such rights against Ajinomoto and any sublicensees and assignees, or to grant Ajinomoto an Exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, fully paid-up license, with right to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicense, to such rights, subject to any license granted to Senomyx pursuant to Section 7.

8.5                                  Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds .  As between the parties, Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds and, subject to Section 8.6 with respect to Modifications,  all claims within Patent Rights claiming compositions of matter and/or use of and/or methods or processes for making such

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Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds shall be owned solely by [...***...].  For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 8.5 shall not be construed as granting rights to [...***...] to [...***...] Compounds Known to [...***...] or to any Patent Rights, which claim such [...***...] Compounds Known to [...***...], owned or Controlled by [...***...] prior to [...***...] of the applicable Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound.  [...***...] hereby irrevocably assigns to [...***...] all interest in and to any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds and, subject to Section 8.6 with respect to Modifications, all claims within Patent Rights claiming compositions of matter and/or use of and/or methods or processes for making such Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds.  In the event that [...***...] is legally unable to assign such rights to [...***...], then subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, [...***...], [...***...] agrees either to waive the enforcement of such rights against [...***...], or to grant [...***...] an Exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide fully paid-up [...***...].

8.6                                  Modifications .  The parties acknowledge that the intent of this Agreement is to find Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds which are [...***...].  Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Sections 8.2, 8.3, or 8.4 hereof or in the First Collaboration Agreement, any Modifications [...***...], with respect to any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound at any time during the longer of the term of the First Collaboration Agreement or [...***...] from the date of the [...***...] with respect to such Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound and, subject to Section 8.5 with respect to Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds, all claims within Patent Rights claiming the composition of matter and and/or use of and/or methods or processes for making any such Modifications will be [...***...], subject to the licenses granted to [...***...].  Ajinomoto hereby irrevocably assigns to [...***...] all interest in and to the composition of matter and/or use of and/or methods or processes for making any such Modifications and, subject to Section 8.5 with respect to Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds, all claims within Patent Rights claiming compositions of matter and/or use of and/or methods or processes for making such Modifications.  In the event that [...***...] is legally unable to assign such rights to [...***...], then [...***...] agrees either to waive the enforcement of such rights against

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[...***...], or to grant [...***...] an Exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, fully paid up license, with right to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicense, to such rights.  [ ...***...]

8.7                                  Non- Limitations on License to [...***...] Compounds; Limitation on Licenses under Section 7.2 .

8.7.1                         License of [...***...] Compounds.  Subject to the limitations in Section 8.7.2, [...***...] may license or sublicense rights to [...***...] Compounds to third parties, including without limitation, its Affiliates, on the condition that [...***...].  [...***...] will agree to be responsible for and to [...***...] by any of [...***...].  Any licenses or sublicenses to [...***...] Compounds will be subject to written license agreements.  [...***...] agrees to cause each of its permitted licensees or sublicensees to agree in writing (i) to assign to [...***...], directly or via [...***...], all interest in and to the composition of matter and/or use of and/or methods or processes of making [...***...] and all claims within Patent Rights claiming compositions of matter and/or use of and/or methods or processes of making such [...***...], and (ii) that in the event that any such licensee or sublicensee is legally unable to assign such rights to [...***...], directly or via [...***...], then such licensee or sublicensee shall either waive the enforcement of such rights against [...***...] and its licensees and sublicensees, or grant [ ...***...], directly or via [...***...] , an Exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, fully paid up license, with right to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicense, to such rights.  [...***...] will notify [...***...] of each license and sublicense and the identity of the licensees and sublicensees thereof and will provide [...***...] with a copy of [...***...], which shall be [...***...], provided that [...***...] may [...***...], other than [...***...] for [...***...] Products, [...***...]

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[...***... ].  Licenses or sublicenses by [...***...] to Third Parties shall be [...***...].

8.7.2                         Sublicense under Section 7.2 .  Except as provided below, Ajinomoto may not sublicense its rights under Section 7.2 to third parties.  Ajinomoto may sublicense its rights under Section 7.2 to any Affiliates, on the condition that [...***...], if any.

8.8                                  Other Inventions .  Any Inventions not included in Sections 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 or 8.6 will be owned by their inventors, including, without limitation, (i) any Invention by an Ajinomoto scientist that is not a Joint Invention or a Senomyx Improvement made [...***...] shall be owned solely by Ajinomoto; or (ii) any Invention by a Senomyx scientist that is not a Joint Invention or an Ajinomoto Improvement made [...***...] shall be owned solely by Senomyx.

8.9                                  Inventorship and Assignment .  Subject to the provisions of this Section 8, United States federal intellectual property law will determine inventorship of and ownership of patentable inventions, including, without limitation, Inventions conceived jointly by the parties and Inventions conceived solely by one party or the other.  Subject to the provisions of Section 5, each of Senomyx and Ajinomoto agrees to promptly disclose to the other party Inventions and Know-How owned or to be owned by such other party pursuant to the provisions of Section 8, and to execute all documentation necessary to perfect all assignments of Inventions, including without limitation, Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds and Modifications, and all claims within Patent Rights claiming any such Inventions, and effect the agreements with respect to ownership contemplated under this Section 8.

8.10                            CREATE Act.   The parties intend for this Agreement to qualify for the benefits of the Cooperative Research and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) Act (35 U.S.C. § 103(c)).  Accordingly, each party agrees, without demanding any further consideration therefor, at the request of the other party, to do (and cause its employees to do) all lawful and just acts that may be or become necessary for evidencing, maintaining, recording and perfecting the benefits of the CREATE Act.

8.11                            Markings .   [...***...] shall have the exclusive right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether and how [...***...] shall mark any [...***...] Products (or their containers or labels) with any notice of Patent Rights.

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9.                                        Treatment of Confidential Information; Publicity .

9.1                                  Confidentiality .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of Senomyx and Ajinomoto agrees that, during the Term and for a period of [...***...] thereafter, it will keep confidential, and will cause its Affiliates to keep confidential, all of the other party’s Confidential Information.  Neither Senomyx nor Ajinomoto nor any of their respective Affiliates will use the other party’s Confidential Information, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement.

9.2                                  Disclosure to Related Parties .  Senomyx and Ajinomoto each agree that any disclosure to any of its Affiliates, or to its or their respective directors, officers, employees contractors, consultants, licensees, sublicensees or agents of the other party’s Confidential Information will be made only if and to the extent necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this Agreement and to exercise the rights granted to it hereunder, will be limited to the extent consistent with such responsibilities and rights, and will be provided only to such persons or entities who are under an obligation of confidentiality no less stringent than as set forth in this Agreement.  Each party will use reasonable efforts to take such action, and to cause its Affiliates to take such action, to preserve the confidentiality of the other party’s Confidential Information, which will be the same efforts as it would customarily take to preserve the confidentiality of its own Confidential Information.

9.3                                  Return of Confidential Material Upon Termination .  Upon termination of this Agreement, each party, upon the other party’s request, will return or destroy all Confidential Information, including without limitation, any Know-How licensed under this Agreement, received from the other party, including without limitation all samples and copies and extracts of documents and all Confidential Information stored in machine readable form, within [...***...] of the date of receipt of the request of such other party; provided , however , that one copy of the Confidential Information may be retained in a secure location with limited access for ensuring legal compliance with any ongoing obligation of confidentiality.

9.4                                  Exceptions to Confidential Information .  Confidential Information will not include any information which the receiving party can prove by competent written evidence:

9.4.1                         is now, or hereafter becomes, through no act or failure to act on the part of the receiving party, generally known or available;

9.4.2                         is known by the receiving party prior to receiving such information, as evidenced by its records;

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9.4.3                         is hereafter furnished to the receiving party without restriction as to disclosure or use by a third party lawfully entitled to furnish such information;

9.4.4                         is independently developed by the employees, agents or contractors of the receiving party without the aid, application or use of the disclosing party’s Confidential Information; or

9.4.5                         is the subject of a written permission to disclose provided by the disclosing party.

A party may also disclose the other party’s Confidential Information where required to do so by law, legal process, securities related regulations or by stock exchange rules; provided , however , that, in such event, the party required to disclose such information must give advance written notice of such disclosure to the other party to the extent reasonably possible and must cooperate with the other party’s efforts to seek at its expense, at the request of the other party, all confidential treatment and protection for such disclosure as is permitted by applicable laws, regulations and rules; provided further that the relevant party may disclose the other party’s Confidential Information only to those persons to whom disclosure is so required.  Anything in this Section 9.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the exceptions provided in Sections 9.4.2 and 9.4.4 above shall not apply to information developed by Ajinomoto, independently and/or jointly with Senomyx, that constitutes an Ajinomoto Improvement or information developed by Senomyx, independently and/or jointly with Ajinomoto, that constitutes a Senomyx Improvement.

9.5                                  Confidential Information Regarding this Agreement .  The parties agree that the terms and conditions of this Agreement will be considered Confidential Information of both parties.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may disclose such terms and conditions in legal proceedings or as are required to be disclosed in its financial statements, by law, legal process, securities related regulations or by stock exchange rules, or under an obligation of confidentiality to bona fide permitted potential sublicensees.  Either party will have the further right to disclose such terms and conditions regarding this Agreement under an obligation of confidentiality to any [...***...].  Senomyx agrees not to discuss [...***...].

9.6                                  Confidential Research Information.   Subject to the provisions of Sections 3.5 and 8 regarding ownership of certain regulatory data and intellectual property, the parties agree that all results and data generated from the research and development by a party under [...***...] Program III will be owned [...***...] and considered Confidential

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Information of [...***...] subject to the confidentiality requirements of this Section 9.  Senomyx will not provide to a Third Party any [...***...] provided to it by [...***...].  Ajinomoto will not provide to a Third Party any [...***...] provided to it by Senomyx.

9.7                                  Use of Data for Promotional Purposes.   Either party may (i) make public statements regarding Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds or Ajinomoto [...***...] Products by announcing the achievement of milestones, following consultation with the other party and with the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, and (ii) without the prior consent of the other party, make public statements regarding the overall general success rate(s) achieved by and/or for its customers under this Agreement; provided , however , that it may not disclose any chemical structures, screens, or the other party’s identity.

9.8                                  Permitted Use and Disclosures .  Each party may use or disclose the other party’s Confidential Information to the extent such information is included in the Ajinomoto Technology, Senomyx Technology or Joint Inventions, and to the extent such use or disclosure is reasonably necessary and permitted in the exercise of the rights granted hereunder, in filing or prosecuting patent applications, prosecuting or defending litigation, complying with applicable governmental or stock exchange regulations, or court orders or otherwise submitting information to tax or other governmental authorities, conducting taste testing, submitting information for regulatory applications, or making a permitted sublicense or otherwise exercising rights expressly granted to the other party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided , however , that if a party is required to make any such disclosure of the other party’s Confidential Information, other than pursuant to a confidentiality agreement, it will give reasonable advance notice of such disclosure to the other party where reasonably possible and, save to the extent inappropriate in the case of patent applications, will use its reasonable efforts to secure confidential treatment of such Confidential Information in consultation with the other party prior to such disclosure (whether through protective orders or otherwise) and disclose only the minimum necessary to comply with such requirements.

9.9                                  Publication of Results .  The parties acknowledge that scientific lead-time is a key element of the value of the research and development activities under [...***...] Program III and further agree that scientific publications must be strictly monitored to prevent any adverse effect from premature publication of results of the research or development activities hereunder.  At least [...***...] days prior to submission of any material related to the research or development activities hereunder for publication or presentation, the submitting party shall provide to the other party a draft of such material for its review and comment.  The receiving party shall provide any comments to the submitting party within [...***...] days of

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receipt of such materials.  No publication or presentation with respect to the research or development activities hereunder shall be made unless and until the other party’s comments on the proposed publication or presentation have been addressed and changes have been agreed upon and any information reasonably determined by the other party to be Confidential Information has been removed.  If requested by the other party, the submitting party shall withhold material from submission for publication or presentation for an additional [ ...***...] to allow for the filing of a patent application or the taking of such measures to establish and preserve proprietary rights in the information in the material being submitted for publication or presentation.

9.10                            Press Releases.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties will agree upon a press release to announce the execution of this Agreement and its material terms, the form of which press release is attached as Appendix B to this Agreement.  Thereafter, Ajinomoto and Senomyx may each disclose to third parties the information contained in such press releases as described in Appendix B without the need for further approval by the other party.  Additional press releases or other similar public communication by either party relating to this Agreement shall be approved in advance by the other party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and disclosures of information for which consent has previously been obtained, and information of a similar nature to that which has been previously disclosed publicly in accordance with this Agreement, shall not require advance approval.

10.                                  Intellectual Property Enforcement and Defense of Claims .

10.1                            Notice of Infringement .  If Senomyx or Ajinomoto determines that any Ajinomoto Technology or Jointly Owned Technology is being infringed by a Third Party’s activities and that such infringement could affect the exercise by the parties of their respective rights and obligations under this Agreement, it shall promptly notify the other party in writing and provide such other party with any evidence of such infringement that is reasonably available.  Promptly after the receipt of such written notice, the parties shall meet and discuss in good faith how to stop such infringement.  The pursuing party shall consider in good faith any comments from the other party and shall keep the other party reasonably informed of any steps taken to stop such infringement.

10.2                            Ajinomoto Patent Rights.   With respect to Ajinomoto Patent Rights, Ajinomoto shall have the exclusive right to take action to remove such infringement using commercially appropriate steps, including without limitation, the filing of an infringement suit or other similar action.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Ajinomoto (i) fails to take commercially appropriate steps to remove any infringement of any Ajinomoto Patent Rights covering Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds as a

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composition of matter and/or use and/or methods or processes for making within [...***...] following its receipt of written notice of such infringement, or (ii) earlier notifies Senomyx of its intent not to take such steps, then Senomyx shall have the right to do so at its expense; provided , however , that if Ajinomoto has commenced negotiations with an alleged infringer for discontinuance of such infringement within such [...***...] period, Ajinomoto shall have an additional [...***...] to conclude its negotiations before Senomyx may bring suit for such infringement or take other similar action.

10.3                            Jointly Owned .  With respect to Jointly Owned Technology, [...***...] shall have the first right to take action to remove such infringement using commercially appropriate steps, including without limitation, the filing of an infringement suit or other similar action.  In the event [...***...] fails to take commercially appropriate steps to remove any infringement of any such Jointly Owned Technology within [...***...] following notice of such infringement, or earlier notifies [...***...] of its intent not to take such steps, then [...***...] shall have the right to do so at its expense; provided , however , that if [...***...] has commenced negotiations with an alleged infringer for discontinuance of such infringement within such ninety (90) day period, [...***...] shall have an additional [...***...] to conclude its negotiations before [...***...] may bring suit for such infringement or take other similar action.

10.4                            Other Technology .  With respect to technology of a party that is not Ajinomoto Technology or Jointly Owned Technology, the owner of such technology shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to take action to stop such infringement.

10.5                            Recovery .  Any amounts recovered by a party pursuant to Section 10.2 or 10.3 whether by settlement or judgment, shall be used to reimburse the parties for their reasonable costs and expenses in making such recovery (which amounts shall be allocated pro rata, in accordance with the relative amount of expenses incurred by each party, if insufficient to cover the aggregate amount of such expenses), with any remainder being retained by the party [...***...].

10.6                            Third Party Litigation .  In the event that a Third Party institutes a patent or other infringement suit (including any suit alleging the invalidity or unenforceability of the Patent Rights of a party or its Affiliates) against either party or its respective Affiliates or permitted licensees under this Agreement during the Term, alleging that the Exploitation of the Ajinomoto [...***...] Products or any other activities hereunder, infringes one or more Patent Rights or other intellectual property rights held by such

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Third Party (an “Infringement Suit”), the parties shall cooperate with one another in defending such suit.  With respect to Jointly Owned Technology, the parties shall jointly direct and control any Infringement Suit with respect to Ajinomoto [...***...] Products or any Jointly Owned Technology.  Each party shall have the sole right to direct and control (including the right to cease to defend, settle or compromise) any Infringement Suit with respect to its Technology.  The parties shall [...***...] of any costs and expenses of such defense with respect to the Joint Technology.

11.                                  Patent Prosecution and Maintenance .  Each party, at its sole cost, will have the right to file, prosecute and maintain patents and patent applications associated with Inventions owned by or assigned to such party under this Agreement, Subject to 11.1 below.  The parties shall cooperate on filing, prosecution and maintaining patents and patent applications associated with Jointly Owned Technology and will [...***...].

11.1                            [...***...] Compounds .  Notwithstanding Section 12 of the First Collaboration Agreement,

11.1.1                   Trade Secret Protection .  [...***...] shall decide, in its sole discretion, whether to retain any [...***...] Compound [...***...] as Confidential Information of [...***...], [...***...] shall be under no obligation to file or prosecute any such Patent Rights covering any [...***...] Compound and [...***...] will continue to be bound by, among other obligations, its obligations under the last sentence of Section 8.7 of the First Collaboration Agreement for so long as such [...***...] Compound remains Confidential Information of [...***...].

11.1.2                   Drafting of Initial Patent Filings .  If [...***...] decides to file Patent Rights covering an [...***...] Compound, [...***...] will have the right to file and prosecute Patent Rights claiming such [...***...] Compound according to the terms of this Section 11.1.  In the event that [...***...] decides to file any patent application claiming any [...***...] Compound, [...***...] may include in such draft patent application claims to [...***...].  [...***...] will have the primary responsibility for drafting the specifications and claims for [...***...] Compounds and [...***...].  [...***...] will have the primary responsibility for drafting the specifications and claims for [...***...].

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11.1.3                   Review Process for Initial Patent Filings.   Whether or not any [...***...] are included in a patent application provided for in Section 11.2.1, [...***...] will provide such proposed patent application to [...***...] for review and comment at least [...***...] before filing and shall allow [...***...] from the date of receipt in which to comment in order to add claims and supporting specification language covering any [...***...].  In connection with any such patent application, Senomyx and Ajinomoto acknowledge that [...***...] controls the drafting of claims covering [...***...], in accordance with the definitions thereof and other provisions related thereto.  [...***...] will incorporate [...***...] to comply with [...***...] to revise or add claims and specification language covering [...***...].  [...***...] shall comply with [...***...] to include in such patent application claims covering and/or expanding the scope of any existing claims covering [...***...].  If no answer is received from [...***...] within [...***...] of receipt of the proposed patent application, [...***...] shall be free to submit such proposed patent application.

11.1.4                   Prosecution.  With respect to patent applications filed in accordance with this Section 11.1, the parties will discuss and agree at least [...***...] before the due date of thirty-month National Phase filings, in which countries/regions to file patent applications claiming such compounds.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, [...***...] may file in any country/region notwithstanding that [...***...].  [...***...] agrees to keep [...***...], including, without limitation, by [...***...] for review and comment in good time to enable [...***...] to meet any deadline by which an action must be taken.  [...***...] shall hold all such information disclosed to it under this Section 11.1 as Confidential Information under Section 9.

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11.1.5                   Abandonment.   [...***...] may, at any time after filing Patents Rights claiming any [...***...] Compounds, but before the publication thereof, withdraw such filing, whether or not any claims [...***...] are contained therein, without [...***...], and such [...***...] Compound shall continue to be Confidential Information of [...***...]; provided , however , that [...***...] shall inform [...***...] prior to such withdrawal.  For the avoidance of doubt, in such case [...***...] may [...***...].  If [...***...] does not wish to file a National Phase application in any country, or [...***...] otherwise elects to abandon the prosecution or maintenance of Patent Rights filed in accordance with this Section 11.1 in a particular country/region at any time following publication, then in each such case, [...***...] will [...***...] to meet any deadlines by which an action must be taken to establish or preserve any such Patent Rights in such country/region and [...***...] of such Patent Rights [...***...] in such country/region.  If [...***...] elects to [...***...], then [...***...] shall notify [...***...] of such election and (i) [...***...] shall, [...***...] (x) reasonably cooperate with [...***...] in this regard, and (y) [...***...] such Patent Rights in such country/region, (ii) [...***...] shall be deemed to [...***...] with respect to claimed [...***...] Compounds and to retain any licenses provided for in the First Collaboration Agreement to Modifications claimed by such Patent Rights and (iii) [...***...] shall [...***...].

11.1.6                   Modifications .  This Section 11.1 shall not be construed as granting Ajinomoto any right, title or interest in or to any Patent Rights owned by Senomyx including, without limitation, [...***...].

11.1.7                   Documents provided by Ajinomoto to Senomyx under this Section 11.1 shall be in English.

12.                                  Manufacturing.   For the avoidance of doubt, Senomyx will [...***...] for Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds.

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13.                                  Term, Early Conclusion and Termination .

13.1                            Term .  The term of this Agreement will begin on the Effective Date and will continue through the end of the last-to-expire [...***...] Term, unless terminated earlier by either party or both parties in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13 (the “Term”).

13.2                            Termination by Ajinomoto .  During the Collaborative Period, Ajinomoto will have the right to terminate this Agreement without cause [...***...] prior written notice to Senomyx; provided , however , if such termination occurs prior to the end of the Collaborative Period, to provide for the orderly wind down of research activities under [...***...] Program III, Ajinomoto shall [...***...].  After the Collaborative Period, Ajinomoto will have the right to terminate this Agreement without cause upon [...***...] prior written notice to Senomyx.

13.3                            Termination By Mutual Agreement .  The parties may terminate this Agreement at any time, in whole or in part, by mutual written agreement executed by both parties.

13.4                            Termination for Breach . Either party has the right to terminate this Agreement at any time in the event of a material breach of this Agreement by the other party (including without limitation a material breach of one or more representations and warranties), provided that the breaching party has not cured such breach within [...***...] after written notice thereof by the non-breaching party.  The terminating party, upon termination of this Agreement, may [...***...].

13.5                            Termination Upon Insolvency.   Either party may terminate this Agreement if, at any time, the other party shall file in any court or agency pursuant to any statute or regulation of any state, country or jurisdiction, a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency or for reorganization or for an arrangement or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee of that party or of its assets, or if such other party proposes a written agreement of composition or extension of its debts, or if such other party shall be served with an involuntary petition against it, filed in any insolvency proceeding, and such petition shall not be dismissed within [...***...] after the filing thereof, or if such other party shall propose or be a party to any dissolution or liquidation, or if such other party shall make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors.

13.6                            Limitation of Liability .  NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER PARTY WILL SEEK OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR [...***...]

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[...***...] IN EXCESS OF [...***...] IN THE AGGREGATE UNDER ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY , INCLUDING TORT, CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND NEITHER PARTY WILL SEEK OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR [...***...] (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION 13 OR SECTION 15).

14.                                  Effect of Expiration or Termination .

14.1                            Termination of Licensed Rights.  Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 13 , any licenses granted by Ajinomoto pursuant to Section 7 shall immediately terminate and all rights, title and interest in and to any Ajinomoto Technology granted thereunder will revert to and become the sole property of Ajinomoto.  Subject to the provisions of Section 14.2, upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 13 , any licenses granted by Senomyx pursuant to Section 7 shall immediately terminate and all rights, title and interest in and to any Senomyx Technology granted thereunder will revert to and become the sole property of Senomyx.

14.2                            Accrued Rights.   Upon expiration of the last to expire [...***...] Term, provided that Ajinomoto has fully paid any and all [...***...] owed pursuant to Section 6 throughout any and all [...***...] Term(s), [...***...] under [...***...].  Termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason shall be without prejudice to any rights that shall have accrued to the benefit of a party prior to such termination or expiration. Such termination or expiration shall not relieve a party from obligations that are expressly indicated to survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event of termination of this Agreement by Ajinomoto pursuant to Sections 13.4 or 13.5, Ajinomoto shall be [...***...] after the effective date of the termination (“Termination Date”), (ii) [...***...] pursuant to Section 13.2, and (iii) if the Termination Date falls on a date prior to the end of a Minimum Annual Royalty Year, [...***...] applicable to such Minimum Annual Royalty Year.

14.3                            Survival .  The obligations and rights of the parties under Sections 3.2.2, 3.2.3 (except for the first sentence), 3.3, 3.4, 6.2 through 6.9, 8, 9, 10.2 through 10.6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and Appendix A, will survive termination or expiration of this Agreement; provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in no event shall Sections 3.3 and 3.4.3 survive after [...***...] for any Ajinomoto

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[...***...] Compound; and (ii) in no event shall Section 10.2 (except for the first sentence) survive [...***...] for any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound covered by any such Ajinomoto Patent Rights.

15.                                  Warranties and Indemnification .

15.1                            Mutual Representations and Warranties. The parties make the following representations and warranties to each other:

15.1.1                   Corporate Power. Each party hereby represents and warrants that as of the Effective Date such party (i) is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions of this Agreement; (ii) has the requisite power and authority and the legal right to own and operate its property and assets, to lease the property and assets it operates under lease, and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted; and (iii) is in compliance with all requirements of applicable law, except to the extent that any noncompliance would not have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

15.1.2                   Due Authorization. Each party hereby represents and warrants that as of the Effective Date such party (i) has the requisite power and authority and the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; and (ii) has taken all necessary action on its part to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and to authorize the performance of its obligations hereunder and the grant of rights extended by it hereunder.

15.1.3                   Binding Agreement. Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other that as of the Effective Date (i) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on its behalf and is a legal and valid obligation binding upon it and is enforceable in accordance with its terms; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party does not conflict with any requirement of applicable law or regulation or stock exchange rule or any provision of the articles of incorporation, bylaws or any similar instrument of such party, as applicable, in any material way, (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party does not conflict with any agreement, instrument or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a party or by which it may be bound, nor violate any law or regulation, or order of any court, governmental body or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction or authority over it; and (iv) all necessary consents, approvals and authorizations of all governmental authorities and

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other persons required to be obtained by it in connection with this Agreement have been obtained.

15.1.4                   Litigation.   Neither party is aware of any pending or threatened litigation (and has not received any communication) that alleges that such party’s activities related to this Agreement has violated, or that by conducting the activities as contemplated herein such party would violate, any of the intellectual property rights of any other party.

15.1.5                   Debarment.   Neither party nor any of its Affiliates has been debarred or is subject to debarment and neither such party nor any of its Affiliates will use in any capacity, in connection with the activities to be performed under this Agreement, any party who has been debarred pursuant to Section 306 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended, or the Japanese equivalent, or who is the subject of a conviction described in such section.  Each party will inform the other party in writing immediately if it or any party who is performing services hereunder is debarred or is the subject of a conviction described in Section 306 or its Japanese equivalent, or if any action, suit, claim, investigation or legal or administrative proceeding is pending or, to such party’s knowledge, is threatened, relating to the debarment or conviction of such party or any party performing activities hereunder.

15.2                            Representations, Warranties and Covenants Regarding Senomyx Technology. Senomyx represents, warrants and covenants as follows:  (i) as of the Effective Date, Senomyx is either the legal or beneficial owner or Controls the Senomyx Technology; (ii) as of the Effective Date, to the best of Senomyx’s knowledge, there is no Third Party claim, lawsuit or threat of a lawsuit relating to the Senomyx Technology and Senomyx is not aware of any threats or warnings of such a Third Party suit; and (iii) Senomyx has not, as of the Effective Date, and except as otherwise permitted under this Agreement, will not for the duration of the Term, enter into any research program or grant any rights in Senomyx Technology to any Third Party that would conflict with the exercise of the rights granted to Ajinomoto under this Agreement.

15.3                            Representations, Warranties and Covenants Regarding Ajinomoto Technology .  Ajinomoto represents, warrants and covenants as follows:  (i) as of the Effective Date, Ajinomoto is either the legal or beneficial owner or Controls and has the lawful right to license the Ajinomoto Technology to Senomyx in accordance with Section 7; (ii) as of the Effective Date, to the best of Ajinomoto’s knowledge, there is no Third Party claim, lawsuit or threat of a lawsuit relating to the Ajinomoto Technology and Ajinomoto is not aware of any threats or warnings of such a Third Party suit; (iii) Ajinomoto has not, as of the Effective Date, and

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except as otherwise permitted under this Agreement, will not for the duration of the Term, enter into any research program or grant any rights in Ajinomoto Technology to any Third Party that would conflict with the exercise of the rights granted to Senomyx under this Agreement; and (iv) as of the Effective Date, no intellectual property rights of any Third Party are included in the Ajinomoto Technology being licensed to Senomyx under Section 7.

15.4                            Warranty Disclaimer.

15.4.1                   EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, (1)  SENOMYX (INCLUDING ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS) EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO SENOMYX TECHNOLOGY; AND (2) SENOMYX FURTHER DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY (i) OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF SENOMYX TECHNOLOGY OR SENOMYX PATENT RIGHTS; (ii) THAT THE PRACTICE OF SENOMYX TECHNOLOGY WILL NOT INFRINGE A PATENT, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK OR OTHER RIGHT OF A THIRD PARTY; AND (iii) REGARDING THE PATENTABILITY OF ANY SENOMYX TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SENOMYX TECHNOLOGY CLAIMED IN PATENT APPLICATIONS AS PART OF SENOMYX PATENT RIGHTS.

15.4.2                   EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, (1)  AJINOMOTO (INCLUDING ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS) EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO AJINOMOTO TECHNOLOGY; AND (2) AJINOMOTO FURTHER DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY (i) OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF AJINOMOTO TECHNOLOGY OR AJINOMOTO PATENT RIGHTS; (ii) THAT THE PRACTICE OF AJINOMOTO TECHNOLOGY WILL NOT INFRINGE A PATENT, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK OR OTHER RIGHT OF A THIRD PARTY; AND (iii) REGARDING THE PATENTABILITY OF ANY AJINOMOTO TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, AJINOMOTO TECHNOLOGY CLAIMED IN PATENT APPLICATIONS AS PART OF AJINOMOTO PATENT RIGHTS.

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15.5                            Indemnification of Ajinomoto.  Senomyx shall indemnify Ajinomoto, its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively, “Ajinomoto Indemnitees”), and defend and save each of them harmless, from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) (collectively, “Losses”) in connection with any and all Third Party suits, investigations, claims or demands (collectively, “Third Party Claims”) arising from or occurring as a result of (a) any material breach by Senomyx of this Agreement; (b) any representation or warranties made by Senomyx herein having been incorrect or misleading in any material respect; (c) any gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Senomyx or its Affiliates in performing any activity contemplated by this Agreement (for the avoidance of doubt, failure by Senomyx to disclose to Ajinomoto a [...***...]; (d) a material violation of any contractual or fiduciary duty owed by any Senomyx Indemnitee (as defined in Section 15.6) to a Third Party; (e) any alleged or actual misappropriation or infringement of any Third Party’s intellectual property rights by a Senomyx Indemnitee; or (f) any alleged or actual misappropriation or infringement of any Third Party’s intellectual property rights arising out of any use of the Senomyx Technology (except for Jointly Owned Technology).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Senomyx shall have no obligation to indemnify an Ajinomoto Indemnitee to the extent, and only to the extent, that Ajinomoto has an obligation to indemnify any Senomyx Indemnitee pursuant to Section 15.6 for any such Losses.

15.6                            Indemnification of Senomyx.  Ajinomoto shall indemnify Senomyx, its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively “Senomyx Indemnitees”), and defend and save each of them harmless, from and against any and all Losses in connection with any and all Third Party Claims arising from or occurring as a result of (a) any material breach by Ajinomoto of this Agreement; (b) any representation or warranties made by Ajinomoto herein having been incorrect or misleading in any material respect; (c) any gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Ajinomoto or its Affiliates in performing any activity contemplated by this Agreement (for the avoidance of doubt, failure by Ajinomoto to disclose to Senomyx a [...***... ]; (d) any development, manufacturing, formulation, handling, storage, shipment, sale or other disposition of an Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound by or through Ajinomoto or its Affiliates or its

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permitted licensees; (e) a product liability claim on any [...***...] Product ; (f) a material violation of any contractual or fiduciary duty owed by any Ajinomoto Indemnitee to a Third Party; (g) any alleged or actual misappropriation or infringement of any Third Party’s intellectual property rights by an Ajinomoto Indemnitee; or (h) any alleged or actual misappropriation or infringement of any Third Party intellectual property rights arising out of any use of the Ajinomoto Technology (except for Jointly Owned Technology).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ajinomoto shall have no obligation to indemnify a Senomyx Indemnitee, except to the extent, and only to the extent, Senomyx has an obligation to indemnify any Ajinomoto Indemnitee pursuant to Section 15.5 for any such Losses.

15.7                            Notice of Claim.   The indemnified party shall give the indemnifying party prompt written notice (an “Indemnification Claim Notice”) of any Losses or discovery of fact upon which such indemnified party intends to base a request for indemnification under Section 15.5 or Section 15.6, but in no event shall the indemnifying party be liable for any Losses that result from any delay in providing such notice.  Each Indemnification Claim Notice must contain a description of the claim and the nature and amount of such Loss (to the extent that the nature and amount of such Loss are known at such time).  The indemnified party shall furnish promptly to the indemnifying party copies of all papers and official documents received in respect of any Losses.  All indemnification claims in respect of a party, its Affiliates or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the “Indemnitees” and each an “Indemnitee”) shall be made solely by such party to this Agreement (the “Indemnified Party”).

15.8                            Control of Defense.   At its option, the indemnifying party may assume the defense of any Third Party Claim by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party within [...***...] after the indemnifying party’s receipt of an Indemnification Claim Notice.  The assumption of the defense of a Third Party Claim by the indemnifying party shall not be construed as an acknowledgment that the indemnifying party is liable to indemnify any Indemnitee in respect of the Third Party Claim, nor shall it constitute a waiver by the indemnifying party of any defenses it may assert against any Indemnitee’s claim for indemnification.  Upon assuming the defense of a Third Party Claim, the indemnifying party may appoint as lead counsel in the defense of the Third Party Claim any legal counsel selected by the indemnifying party.  In the event the indemnifying party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall immediately deliver to the indemnifying party all original notices and documents (including without limitation, court papers) received by any Indemnitee in connection with the Third Party Claim.  Should the indemnifying party assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party or any other Indemnitee for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such

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Indemnified Party or other Indemnitee in connection with the analysis, defense or settlement of the Third Party Claim.  In the event that it is ultimately determined that the indemnifying party is not obligated to indemnify, defend or hold harmless an Indemnitee from and against the Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall reimburse the indemnifying party for any and all costs and expenses (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees and costs of suit) and any Losses incurred by the indemnifying party in its defense of the Third Party Claim with respect to such Indemnitee.

15.9                            Right to Participate in Defense.   Without limiting the provisions of Section 15.8, any Indemnitee shall be entitled to participate in, but not control, the defense of such Third Party Claim and to engage counsel of its choice for such purpose; provided , however , that such engagement shall be at the Indemnitee’s own expense unless (a) the engagement thereof has been specifically authorized by the indemnifying party in writing, (b) the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense and engage counsel in accordance with Section 15.8 (in which case the Indemnified Party shall control the defense), or (c) in the Indemnitee’s reasonable judgment, a material conflict of interest between the Indemnitee and the indemnifying party exists in respect of such Third Party Claim, provided that, in any event, the other provisions of this Section 15.9 shall continue to apply to such Third Party Claim.

15.10                      Settlement.   With respect to any Losses relating solely to the payment of money damages in connection with a Third Party Claim and that will not result in the Indemnitee’s becoming subject to injunctive or other relief or otherwise adversely affect the business of the Indemnitee in any manner, and as to which the indemnifying party shall have acknowledged in writing the obligation to indemnify the Indemnitee hereunder, the indemnifying party shall have the sole right to consent to the entry of any judgment, enter into any settlement or otherwise dispose of such Loss, on such terms as the indemnifying party, in its sole discretion, shall deem appropriate.  With respect to all other Losses in connection with Third Party Claims, where the indemnifying party has assumed the defense of the Third Party Claim in accordance with Section 15.8, the indemnifying party shall have authority to consent to the entry of any judgment, enter into any settlement or otherwise dispose of such Loss provided it obtains the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).  The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement or other disposition of a Loss by an Indemnitee that is reached without the written consent of the indemnifying party.  Regardless of whether the indemnifying party chooses to defend or prosecute any Third Party Claim, no Indemnitee shall admit any liability with respect to, or settle, compromise or discharge, any Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party, except in the

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event the Indemnified Party has assumed control of the defense of such Third Party Claim pursuant to Section 15.9(b).

15.11                      Cooperation.   Regardless of whether the indemnifying party chooses to defend or prosecute any Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall, and shall cause each other Indemnitee to, cooperate in the defense or prosecution thereof and shall furnish such records, information and testimony, provide such witnesses and attend such conferences, discovery proceedings, hearings, trials and appeals as may be reasonably requested in connection therewith.  Such cooperation shall include access during normal business hours afforded to the indemnifying party to, and reasonable retention by the Indemnified Party of, records and information that are reasonably relevant to such Third Party Claim, and making Indemnitees and other employees and agents available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder, and the indemnifying party shall reimburse the Indemnified Party for all its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.

15.12                      Expenses.   Except as provided above, the reasonable and verifiable costs and expenses, including without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel, incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with any claim shall be reimbursed on a calendar quarter basis by the indemnifying party, without prejudice to the indemnifying party’s right to contest the Indemnified Party’s right to indemnification and subject to refund in the event the indemnifying party is ultimately held not to be obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Party.

16.                                  Miscellaneous .

16.1                            Force Majeure .  Neither party shall be held liable or responsible to the other party or be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement for failure or delay in fulfilling or performing any term of this Agreement when such failure or delay is caused by or results from events beyond the reasonable control of the non-performing party, including without limitation, fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, landslides, embargoes, shortages, epidemics, quarantines, war, acts of war (whether war be declared or not) or terrorism, insurrections, riots, civil commotion, strikes, lockouts or other labor disturbances, acts of God or acts, omissions or delays in acting by any governmental authority.  The non-performing party shall notify the other party of such force majeure within [...***...] after such occurrence by giving written notice to the other party stating the nature of the event, its anticipated duration, and any action being taken to avoid or minimize its effect.  The suspension of performance shall be of no greater scope and no longer duration than is necessary and the non-performing party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to remedy its inability to perform; provided , however , that in the

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event the suspension of performance continues for [...***...] after the date of the occurrence, the parties shall meet to discuss in good faith how to proceed in order to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement.

16.2                            Governing Law and Jurisdiction .  This Agreement will be governed by the laws of [...***...], as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and to be performed entirely within such state.

16.3                            Binding Effect .  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the parties.  Any assignment not in accordance with this Agreement will be void.

16.4                            Dispute Resolution.

16.4.1                   Negotiation .  The parties recognize that disputes or controversies as to certain matters may from time to time arise during the Term, which relate to either party’s rights and/or obligations hereunder (“Disputes”).  It is the objective of the parties to establish procedures to facilitate the resolution of Disputes arising under this Agreement in an expedient manner by mutual cooperation and negotiation.  The parties agree that prior to any arbitration concerning this Agreement, Senomyx’s duly authorized representative and Ajinomoto’s duly authorized representative will meet in person or by video-conferencing in a good faith effort to resolve any disputes concerning this Agreement.  Within [...***...] of a formal request by either party to the other party, either party may, by written notice to the other party, have such dispute referred to their respective officers designated or their successors, for attempted resolution by good faith negotiations, such good faith negotiations to begin within [...***...] after such notice is received.

16.4.2                   Arbitration.   Any Dispute arising out of or relating to any provision of or in connection with this Agreement or the interpretation, enforceability, performance, breach, termination or validity hereof, including, without limitation, this arbitration clause, shall be solely and finally settled by binding arbitration pursuant to [...***...].  Any such arbitration shall be held in [...***...].  There shall be [...***...] and [...***...]

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[…***…].  In such latter case, each party shall name [...***...].  Within [...***...] following appointment of the arbitrator or arbitrators, if there are to be [...***...], the arbitrator(s) will hold a conference with the parties to the arbitration to establish a schedule pursuant to which an award will be rendered within [...***...] of such conference.   Each party hereto shall bear its own costs and expenses, but the compensation and costs and expenses of the arbitrators shall be borne equally between the parties participating in the arbitration.  The English language shall be used in any and all arbitral proceedings and all documents, exhibits and other evidence shall be translated into the English language.  Judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator(s) , including without limitation, an award for specific performance or equitable relief as provided below, may be entered in any court having jurisdiction or application may be made to such court for confirmation of such award or a judicial acceptance of such award, and for an order of enforcement, or other legal remedy, as the case may be.  The parties hereby waive all jurisdictional defenses in connection with any arbitration hereunder or the enforcement of an order or award rendered pursuant thereto (assuming that the terms and conditions of this arbitration clause have been complied with) and defenses based on the general invalidity of the underlying agreement or this arbitration clause.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will a demand for arbitration be made, or effective if made, following the time when the institution of a legal or equitable proceeding based on such claim, dispute or other matter in question would be barred by the applicable statute of limitations.

16.4.3                   Specific Performance .  Each party hereby acknowledges that the remedies at law of the other Party for a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement may be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, any party, upon posting any bond as determined by the arbitral tribunal, and in addition to all other remedies that may be available, shall be entitled to seek, from the arbitral tribunal, equitable relief in the form of specific performance, injunctions or any other equitable remedy deemed appropriate to such arbitral tribunal.

16.4.4                   Interlocutory Relief .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 16.4, either party may seek immediate injunctive or other interim relief from any court of competent jurisdiction with respect to any breach of Sections 8 or 9 hereof, or otherwise to enforce and protect the Patent Rights, copyrights, trademarks, or

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other intellectual property rights Controlled by such party. In addition, arbitration will not be used to resolve disputes concerning Patent Rights Controlled by either party.  Disputes concerning Patent Rights, including, without limitation, Disputes concerning patent ownership, claim language, claim scope and issues of validity will be settled in a court of law.  Any arbitration ruling that relies on an interpretation of Patent Rights will have no binding effect in a court of law on any Patent Rights related to this Agreement, unless such Patent Rights have been adjudicated in a court of law.

16.4.5                   Cumulative Remedies .  Subject to Section 13.6, all remedies available to either party for breach of this Agreement are cumulative and may be exercised concurrently or separately, and the exercise of any one remedy will not be deemed an election of such remedy to the exclusion of any other remedy.

16.5                            Severability .  If any term, covenant or condition of this Agreement or the application thereof to any party or circumstance is, to any extent, held to be invalid or unenforceable, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such term, covenant or condition to parties or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, will not be affected thereby and each term, covenant or condition of this Agreement will be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law; the parties covenant and agree to renegotiate any such term, covenant or condition or the application thereof in good faith in order to provide a reasonably acceptable alternative to the term, covenant or condition of this Agreement or the application thereof that is held invalid or unenforceable, it being the intent of the parties that the basic purposes of this Agreement are to be effectuated.

16.6                            Independent Contractors .  It is expressly agreed that Ajinomoto and Senomyx will be independent contractors and that the relationship between the parties will not constitute a partnership or agency of any kind.  Neither Ajinomoto nor Senomyx will have the authority to make any statements, representations or commitments of any kind, or to take any action, which will be binding on the other party, without the prior written authorization of the other party to do so.

16.7                            Entire Agreement; Amendment .  This Agreement sets forth all of the covenants, promises, agreements, warranties, representations, conditions and understandings between the parties with respect to [...***...] Program III, and supersedes and terminates all prior agreements and understandings between the parties, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, including without limitation, that certain Evaluation Agreement, dated March 23, 2006, between the parties hereto, which is hereby terminated and of no further force or effect.  There are no covenants, promises,

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agreements, warranties, representations, conditions or understandings, either oral or written, between the parties other than as set forth in this Agreement.  No subsequent alteration, amendment, change or addition to this Agreement will be binding upon the parties unless reduced to writing and signed by the respective authorized officers of the parties.  This Agreement will not be strictly construed against either party.  Any conflict between the terms set forth in the text of this Agreement and the terms of any Appendix hereto will be resolved in favor of the text of this Agreement.

16.8                            Waiver .  Any waiver of any rights under this Agreement shall only be effective if in writing and signed by the party waiving such right.  The waiver by either party of any rights will not operate or be construed as a waiver of the subsequent exercise of the same right or remedy or any of the other rights of such party or of any remedies provided in this Agreement and no failure of or delay in exercising any rights or remedy shall operate as a waiver of such right or remedy.

16.9                            Construction .  The term “Article” or “Section” can refer to any single paragraph level found in this Agreement or any collection of multiple paragraphs thereunder.

16.10                      No Third Party Beneficiaries .  No Third Party, including without limitation, any employee of any party to this Agreement (except as specifically provided in this Agreement), will have or acquire any rights by reason of this Agreement.  Nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to make the parties partners of each other or any Third Party.

16.11                      Notices .  Any request, notices or communications provided for in this Agreement to be made by either party to the other party must be in writing, in English, and will be made by prepaid air mail or overnight courier with return receipt addressed to the other party at its address set forth below.  Any such notice or communication may also be given by hand, or facsimile to the appropriate designation.  Notices will be sent:

If to Senomyx, to:

Senomyx, Inc.

 

11099 North Torrey Pines Road

 

La Jolla, CA 92037

 

U.S.A.

 

Facsimile number: (858) 404-0750

 

Attention: General Counsel with a copy
to the President

 

If to Ajinomoto, to:

Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

 

15-1, Kyobashi 1-chome,

 

Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8315,

 

Japan

 

39




 

 

Facsimile number: [...***...]

 

Attention: [...***...]

 

 

 

With a copy to: [...***...]

 

By like notice, either party may specify or change an address to which notices and communications must be thereafter sent.  Notices sent by mail, facsimile or overnight carrier will be effective upon receipt and notices given by hand will be effective when delivered.

16.12                      Assignment .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, neither party may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement in any country to any third party without the prior written consent of the non-assigning party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld; provided , however , that either party may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other party [...***...] to any Affiliate.  [...***...]  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such assignment to an Affiliate will not relieve the assigning party of its responsibilities for performance of its obligations under this Agreement.  This Agreement will survive any merger or consolidation of either party with or into another party and, [...***...].  Any assignment in contravention of the provisions of this Section 16.12 shall be null and void ab initio .

16.13                      Headings.  The headings and captions in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no way define, describe, extend or limit the scope or intent of this Agreement or the intent of any provision contained in this Agreement.

16.14                      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

***Confidential Treatment Requested

40




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties, through their authorized officers, have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

SENOMYX, INC.

 

AJINOMOTO CO., INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kent Snyder

 

By:

/s/ Tohru Nishiyama

 

 

 

Name: Kent Snyder

 

Name: Tohru Nishiyama

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Title:

Member of the Board & Corporate

 

 

Executive Deputy President

 

 

 

Date:

October 11, 2006

 

Date:

October 11, 2006

 

 

41




APPENDIX A - DEFINITIONS

“Affiliate” means any corporation, company, partnership, joint venture, association or other entity, which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with a party.  As used in this definition, the term “control” means direct or indirect beneficial ownership of at least [...***...] (or such lesser percentage which is the maximum allowed to be owned by a foreign corporation in a particular jurisdiction) of the outstanding securities having voting rights for the election of directors in a corporation or of the comparable equity interest in any other type of entity.

“Agreement” means this agreement, together with all appendices attached to it, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time hereafter by a written agreement executed by authorized representatives of both parties.

“Ajinomoto Know-How” means, to the extent useful for purposes of the activities to be conducted under this Agreement, Know-How Controlled by Ajinomoto as of the Effective Date [...***...] and Know-How under Jointly Owned Technology.

“Ajinomoto Patent Rights” means, to the extent useful for purposes of the activities to be conducted under this Agreement, Patent Rights Controlled by Ajinomoto as of the Effective Date [...***...] and Patent Rights under Jointly Owned Technology, including, without limitation, any Patent Rights containing one or more claims to an Invention made solely by employees or agents of Ajinomoto.

“Ajinomoto Technology” means Ajinomoto Patent Rights and Ajinomoto Know-How.

“Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound(s)” means any [...***...] Compound(s) [...***...] under [...***...] Program III that is [...***...].

“[...***...] Materials” means [...***...] which [...***...] Compounds in connection with [...***...] Program III.

“Ajinomoto [...***...] Product” means [...***...]

***Confidential Treatment Requested

42




“Collaborative Period” means the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending [ ...***...] thereafter.

“[...***...] Term” means the lesser of (i) [...***...] from [...***...] on a country-by-country basis or (ii) [...***...] from [...***...] .

“Confidential Information” of a party means all Inventions, Know-How or other information, including, without limitation, information and material (whether or not patentable) regarding technology, products, research, development, manufacturing, marketing, finances, personnel or other business information or objectives which is designated as “Confidential” or “Proprietary” in writing by the disclosing party, whether by letter or by the use of an appropriate stamp or legend, prior to or at the time any such Inventions, Know-How or other information is disclosed by the disclosing party to the other party.  Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, Inventions, Know-How or other information which is orally, electronically or visually disclosed by a party will constitute Confidential Information of a party if the disclosing party, within [...***...] after such disclosure, delivers to the other party a human or machine readable written document or documents describing the Inventions, Know-How or other information and referencing the place and date of such oral, visual, electronic or written disclosure and the names of the persons to whom such disclosure was made and identifies such Inventions, Know-How or other information as “Confidential” or “Proprietary”.  [...***...].

“Control” or “Controlled” means, with respect to intellectual property, possession by a party, as of the Effective Date or during the Term, of the ability to grant a license or sublicense in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without violating the terms of any agreement by such party with any Third Party.

“Exclusive” means exclusive even as to the party granting the license; provided , however , that [...***...].

“Exploit” or “Exploitation” means to make, have made, import, use, sell, offer for sale, or otherwise dispose of, including without limitation, all discovery, research, development, registration, modification, enhancement, improvement, manufacture, storage, formulation, exportation, transportation, distribution, promotion and marketing activities related thereto.

***Confidential Treatment Requested

43




“Field” means [...***...].

“First Collaboration Agreement Territory” means the territory defined as “Territory” in the First Collaboration Agreement.

“FTE” means the annual full time equivalent of one (1) Senomyx scientist.

“[...***...]” means [...***...].

“Important Country” means [...***...].

“Invention(s)” means any invention, including, without limitation, any new and useful process, method, or composition of matter, or improvement, whether or not patentable.

“Joint ly Owned Technology” means Know-How and/or Patent Rights with respect to Joint Inventions that are jointly owned by Ajinomoto and Senomyx.  [...***...]

“Know-How” means information and data, whether or not patentable, which is not generally known to the public, including, without limitation, designs, concepts, formulae, software, techniques, practices, processes, methods, knowledge, skill, experience, expertise, technical information, and data, including pharmacological, toxicological and clinical test data, analytical and quality control data, patent and legal data or marketing, sales and manufacturing data.

“Known” means (i) known to Ajinomoto [...***...] on or prior to the Effective Date, which may be [...***...] by Senomyx under this Agreement, (ii) known to Senomyx [...***...], as disclosed on [...***...], which list may be updated from time to time [...***...], or (iii) generally available or known to the public as an Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound; provided , however , that notwithstanding (ii) above, no compounds [...***...] with respect to an [...***...] Compound shall be Known with respect to such [...***...] Compound.  The parties shall [...***...] and, within [...***...] of the Effective Date, shall agree upon [...***...].

“Modification” means modifications, derivatives, analogues, homologues or isomers of any Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds such that the modification, derivative, analogue, homologue or isomer does not meet the definition of an [...***...].

“[...***...] Materials” means [...***...] materials, whether [...***...] or otherwise, [...***...]

***Confidential Treatment Requested

44




[…***…] thereof and materials [...***...].

“Net Sales” means, with respect to [...***...], the gross amount invoiced by Ajinomoto and its Affiliates and/or permitted licensees and/or permitted sublicensees on any [...***...] of the [...***...], less the following items:

i)                  [...***...];

ii)               [...***...];

iii)            [...***...]; and

iv)           [...***...]  that is borne [...***...].

Net Sales will be determined from the books and records of Ajinomoto, its Affiliates and/or its permitted licensees, maintained in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied of the country where [...***...].  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Net Sales involving [...***...] by Ajinomoto or an Affiliate of Ajinomoto shall [...***...].

“Patent Rights” means all rights associated with all U.S. or foreign (including regional authorities such as the European Patent Office) utility or provisional patents or patent applications, including any improvements, continuations, continuations-in-part, or divisionals or any substitute or equivalent applications, and any patent issuing thereon, including any reissue, reexamination or extension thereof.

“Regulatory Approval” means any regulatory approvals, licenses, permits or consents issued by any governmental authority , authorizing the use of the Ajinomoto [...***...] Compounds in food products for human consumption.

“Regulatory Approval Date” means the date that a Regulatory Approval is granted that will allow an Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound to be manufactured, used and/or sold in a particular country.

“Research Plan” means the detailed scientific research plan that defines the key activities, responsibilities of the parties, research milestones and timeline for [...***...] Program III to

***Confidential Treatment Requested

45




be conducted under this Agreement.  The Research Plan is incorporated by reference into this Agreement and will be maintained in the records of the Steering Committee.

“Selected Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound(s)” means the Ajinomoto [...***...] Compound(s) selected by Ajinomoto for development.

“Selection Date” means [...***...] immediately following the [...***...].

“Senomyx Know-How” means any Know-How, including Know-How under Jointly Owned Technology, which is not covered by the Senomyx Patent Rights, but which is necessary or useful for purposes of the activities to be conducted under this Agreement, and which is Controlled by Senomyx or its Affiliates as of the Effective Date [...***...].

“Senomyx Patent Rights” means any Patent Rights, including Patent Rights under Jointly Owned Technology, that are necessary or useful for purposes of the activities to be conducted under this Agreement, and which are Controlled by Senomyx or its Affiliates as of the Effective Date [...***...].

“Senomyx Technology” means the Senomyx Patent Rights and Senomyx Know-How.

“Territory” means [...***...].

“Third Party(ies)” means any party other than a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of Senomyx or Ajinomoto.

[...***...] Compound(s)” means compounds that [...***...].

“[...***...] Program I” has the meaning set forth in the First Collaboration Agreement.

“[...***...] Program II” has the meaning set forth in the First Collaboration Agreement.

***Confidential Treatment Requested

46




APPENDIX B

FORM OF PRESS RELEASE

SENOMYX ANNOUNCES A SECOND COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH,

COMME RCIALIZATION AND LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH AJINOMOTO CO., INC.

 

New Agreement Focuses on Natural Flavor Ingredients

Senomyx and Ajinomoto Also Expand their First Collaborative Agreement

LA JOLLA, CA — September 30, 2006 — Senomyx, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNMX), a leading company focused on using proprietary technologies to discover and develop novel flavor ingredients for the packaged food and beverage industry, announced today that it has entered into a second research,  commercialization, and license agreement with Ajinomoto Co., Inc., a market leader in food and culinary products. During the three-year collaborative period, the company will work with Ajinomoto on the discovery of specific natural flavor ingredients.  The agreement also covers exclusive worldwide commercialization of these new flavor ingredients in all product categories.  Ajinomoto has agreed to pay Senomyx research funding and specified payments upon the achievement of milestones.  Upon commercialization, Senomyx will be entitled to payments based on sales of Ajinomoto products containing any flavor ingredients discovered under the agreement.

“We are extremely pleased to establish our second collaboration with Ajinomoto, a leading worldwide food product manufacturer,” said Kent Snyder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Senomyx.  “We believe this natural ingredient initiative provides additional value to Senomyx by opening new market opportunities to reach consumers preferring all natural ingredients.”

Senomyx and Ajinomoto entered into their first collaborative agreement in March 2006 for the discovery and development of novel flavor ingredients on an exclusive basis in the soup, sauce, culinary aids and noodle product categories, and on a co-exclusive basis in the bouillon product category, within Japan and other Asian markets.  The companies have expanded this agreement to include the use of certain novel flavor ingredients in virtually all product categories in these geographic regions.

“Senomyx’s strategy is to leverage our discovery and development capabilities by establishing collaborations with market leaders seeking to create a competitive advantage for their products,” added Snyder.  “It is especially rewarding to us when existing collaborators extend their partnerships with the company.  We are privileged to strengthen our relationship with Ajinomoto by both entering into a

47




second collaboration for natural flavor ingredients and expanding our original agreement.  Senomyx now has nine product discovery and development collaborations with six of the world’s foremost packaged food and beverage companies: Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell Soup, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, and Nestlé,” Snyder noted.

About Senomyx, Inc. (www.senomyx.com)

Senomyx is a leading company focused on using proprietary taste receptor-based assays, screening technologies and optimization chemistry to discover and develop novel flavors, flavor enhancers and taste modulators for the packaged food and beverage industry. Senomyx’s current programs focus on the development of flavors, flavor enhancers and taste modulators in the savory, sweet, salt and bitter taste areas. Senomyx has entered into product discovery and development collaborations with six of the world’s leading packaged food and beverage companies: Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell Soup Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Kraft Foods Global, Inc. and Nestlé SA.

About Ajinomoto Co., Inc.      ( www.ajinomoto.com)

Ajinomoto is one of the world’s top amino acids and food products manufacturers and is renowned for its technology and the quality of its products. Its business, established in 1909, is conducted all over the world and has an annual turnover of around US$10 billion.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this press release that are not a description of fact are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding potential payments under our collaboration with Ajinomoto, plans for our taste receptor research, commercial potential, future products or additional collaborations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by us that any of our plans, projections or future financial, scientific or business objectives will be achieved.  Our actual results may differ materially from any projected future results set forth in this release as a result of the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business including, without limitation, difficulties or delays in developing, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing our flavors, flavor enhancers, taste modulators and related technologies; whether we will be able to further extend or expand our collaboration with Ajinomoto or enter into additional collaborations; our ability to collect royalties under our collaborations; the progress and timing of our scientific programs; changes in the laws or regulations of the United States and other countries that could adversely affect our and our collaborators’ ability to develop and commercialize our products; whether any of our collaborations will result in the discovery and development of novel flavors, flavor enhancers or taste modulators, improve the nutritional profile of products incorporating them or otherwise enhance our market position; our ability to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology and to maintain and enforce our licensing arrangements with various third party licensors;  our ability to define the scope and validity of patent protection for our products and technologies; competition from other companies and flavor manufacturers and other risks detailed in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and we undertake no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

48




Contact:

Gwen Rosenberg

Senomyx, Inc.

Executive Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

858-646-8369

gwen.rosenberg@senomyx.com

 

49



Exhibit 10.37

***Text Omitted and Filed Separately
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Confidential Treatment Requested
Under 17 C.F.R. Sections 200.80(b)(4)
and 240.24b-2.

LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

BETWEEN

 

SENOMYX, INC.

 

AND

 

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

 

FOR

 

CASE NO. SD1998-D06
CASE NO. SD1999-A15
CASE NO. SD1999-A29
CASE NO. SD1999-B68
CASE NO. SD1999-C03
CASE NO. SD1999-C04
CASE NO. SD2000-A45

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

Recitals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 1:

Definitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 2:

Grant

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 3:

Consideration

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 4:

Reports, Records and Payments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 5:

Patent Matters

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 6:

Governmental Matters

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 7:

Termination of Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 8:

Limited Warranty and Indemnification

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 9:

Use of Names and Trademarks

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 10:

Miscellaneous Provisions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A:

Common Interest Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B:

Patent Rights

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit C:

Technology

 

 

 




LICENSE AGREEMENT

This agreement (“Agreement”) is made by and between  Senomyx, Inc., a Delaware corporation having an address at 11099 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037 (“LICENSEE”), and The Regents of the University of California, a California corporation having its statewide administrative offices at 1111 Franklin Street, Oakland, California 94607-5200 (“UNIVERSITY”), represented by its San Diego campus having an address at University of California, San Diego, Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Services, Mail Code 0910, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0910 (“UCSD”).

This Agreement is effective on the date of the last signature (“Effective Date”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS , the inventions disclosed in UCSD Disclosure Dockets  as listed below:
***The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank***

1




 

UCSD Disclosure
Docket No.

 

OTT
Disclosure
Docket No.

 

Title

 

 

 

 

 

1998-D06

 

1998-306

 

[...***...]

 

 

 

 

 

1999-A15

 

1999-015

 

[...***...]

 

 

 

 

 

1999-A29

 

1999-029

 

[...***...]

 

 

 

 

 

1999-B68

 

1999-168

 

[...***...]

 

 

 

 

 

1999-C03

 

1999-203

 

[...***...]

 

 

 

 

 

1999-C04

 

1999-204

 

[...***...]

 

 

 

 

 

2000-A45

 

2000-045

 

[...***...]

 

collectively, (“Invention”), were made in the course of research at UCSD by Dr. Charles Zuker   and his associates (hereinafter and collectively, the “UCSD Inventors”) and/or in the course of research at the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) by Dr. Nicholas Ryba and associates (hereinafter and collectively, the  “NIH Inventors”) and are covered by Patent Rights as defined below;

WHEREAS , the UCSD Inventors are employees of UNIVERSITY, and they are obligated to assign all of their right, title and interest in the Invention to UNIVERSITY;

***Confidential Treatment Requested

2




WHEREAS, Dr. Zuker is also an employee of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (“HHMI”) with a laboratory at UCSD;

WHEREAS, HHMI assigned its right and title in the Invention to UNIVERSITY under the terms of an interinstitutional agreement between HHMI and UNIVERSITY (UC Control No. 1986-18-0017, “HHMI Interinstitutional Agreement”), and accordingly, UNIVERSITY has the sole responsibility to manage Invention and any patent rights associated therewith on behalf of both parties;

WHEREAS, under the terms of the HHMI Interinstitutional Agreement, HHMI has reserved a nonexclusive, paid-up, royalty-free, irrevocable license, with no right to sublicense others, to make and use the Invention, Technology and Patent Rights for research purposes;

WHEREAS , the NIH Inventors, in accordance with their patent agreement with NIH, have assigned to NIH their interest in any patent rights covering Inventions made during the course of their employment with NIH;

WHEREAS , under the terms of an interinstitutional agreement between NIH and UNIVERSITY (UC Control No. 2000-18-0542, “NIH Interinstitutional Agreement”, UNIVERSITY is granted the exclusive right to manage the invention on behalf of both parties;

WHEREAS , the research was sponsored in part by the Government of the United States of America and as a consequence this license is subject to overriding obligations to the Federal Government under 35 U.S.C. §§ 200-212 and applicable regulations;

WHEREAS, UNIVERSITY and LICENSEE (through its predecessor in interest, Ambryx) had previously entered into an exclusive license agreement dated March 10, 2000 (UC Control #2000-04-0441, “Previous Agreement”) for certain rights in Invention;

WHEREAS , LICENSEE has, since the execution of the Previous Agreement, developed certain inventions that are complementary and closely related to Invention (“Related Inventions” as defined in 1.21 below);

WHEREAS , with this Agreement LICENSEE and UNIVERSITY mutually desire to replace the Previous Agreement and to contemporaneously enter into a Common Interest Agreement, attached as Exhibit A to (i) optimize the patent protection strategy for both Invention and Related Invention, and (ii) better define the rights, obligations, including royalty obligation, and intents of both parties;

WHEREAS , UNIVERSITY and LICENSEE mutually desire that Invention and Related Invention be developed and utilized to the fullest possible extent so that their  benefits can be enjoyed by the general public;

3




WHEREAS , LICENSEE understands that UNIVERSITY may publish or otherwise disseminate information concerning the Invention and Technology (as defined below) at any time and that LICENSEE is paying consideration thereunder for its early access to the Invention and Technology, not continued secrecy therein.

NOW, THEREFORE , the parties agree:

ARTICLE 1.  DEFINITIONS

The terms, as defined herein, shall have the same meanings in both their singular and plural forms.

1.1  “Affiliate” means any business entity which is bound in writing by LICENSEE to the terms set forth in this Agreement and in which LICENSEE owns or controls, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding stock or other voting rights entitled to elect directors, or in which LICENSEE is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by at least fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding stock or other voting rights entitled to elect directors; but in any country where the local law does not permit foreign equity participation of at least fifty  percent (50%), then an “Affiliate” includes any company in which LICENSEE owns or controls or is owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, the maximum percentage of outstanding stock or voting rights permitted by local law.

1.2  “Sublicense” means an agreement into which LICENSEE enters with a third party that is not an Affiliate for the purpose of (i) granting certain rights under the licenses to Patent Rights and/or Property Rights granted to LICENSEE pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this Agreement; (ii) granting an option to certain rights under the licenses to Patent Rights and/or Property Rights granted to LICENSEE pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this Agreement; or (iii) forbearing the exercise of any rights under the licenses to Patent Rights and/or Property Rights, granted to LICENSEE under Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this Agreement (by way of illustration, but not limitation, an example of (iii) would be if LICENSEE enters into an agreement under which LICENSEE receives consideration from a third party for not selling a Licensed Product). “Sublicensee” means a third party with whom LICENSEE enters into a Sublicense.  For the avoidance of doubt, “Sublicense” does not include agreements into which LICENSEE enters with a third party covering its own technology other than University’s interest in Related Inventions or Related Patent Rights.

1.3  “Field” means all fields of use.

1.4  “Territory” means worldwide.

4




1.5  “Term” means the period of time beginning on the Effective Date and, unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, ending on the date there no longer exists a Valid Claim in a Patent Right licensed under this Agreement.

1.6  “Patent Rights” means UNIVERSITY’s rights in the patents and patent applications listed in Exhibit B, disclosing and claiming the Invention, filed by Inventors and assigned to or otherwise managed by UNIVERSITY under the HHMI Interinstitutional Agreement and the NIH Interinstitutional Agreement; and continuing applications thereof including divisions, substitutions, and continuations-in-part (but only to extent the claims thereof are supported in the specification of the parent application); any patents issuing on said applications including reissues, reexaminations and extensions; and any corresponding foreign applications or patents.

1.7  “Technology” means the biological materials relating to the Invention provided by the Inventors to LICENSEE and are listed in Exhibit C.  Technology shall include, in whole or in part, but not be limited to, any derivative, compound with common nucleotide sequence, homolog, ortholog, or analog thereof which the Inventors provided to LICENSEE prior to Effective Date or may provide during the Term of this Agreement.

1.8  “Sponsor Rights” means all the applicable provisions of any license to the United States Government and HHMI as set forth in the recitals above.

1.9  “Licensed Method” means any process or method that uses Related Patent Rights (as later defined in 1.18) or is covered by Patent Rights, the use of which would constitute in a particular country, but for the license granted to LICENSEE under this Agreement, an infringement, an inducement to infringe or contributory infringement, of any pending or issued claim within Patent Rights pending in such country were they issued in a patent at the time of the infringing activity in that country.

1.10 “Licensed Product” means any service, composition or product that uses or is identified with the use of (i) Related Patent Rights;  (ii) Licensed Method; or (iii) Patent Rights, the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale, or importation of which would constitute in a particular country, but for the license granted to LICENSEE under this Agreement, an infringement, an inducement to infringe or contributory infringement, of any pending or issued claim within the Patent Rights in such country were they issued in a patent at the time of the infringing activity in that country.   For the avoidance of doubt, Licensed Product does not include Enabled Products.

1.11 “Net Sales” means:

(i) in the case of Section 3.1(c)(i)-3.1(c)(iv), the total of the gross invoice prices of Licensed Products sold or leased by LICENSEE, Sublicensee, Affiliate, or any combination thereof, less the sum of the following actual and customary deductions where

5




applicable and separately listed:  cash, trade, or quantity discounts; sales, use, tariff, import/export duties or other excise taxes imposed on particular sales (except for value-added and income taxes imposed on the sales of Licensed Product in foreign countries); transportation charges; or credits to customers because of rejections or returns; and

(ii) in the case of 3.1(c)(v) and 3.1(c)(vi), revenue received for lease or license of Enabled Products by LICENSEE, Sublicensee, Affiliate, or any combination thereof, not including any Excluded Revenue.

For purposes of calculating Net Sales, transfers to a  Sublicensee or an Affiliate of Licensed Product or Enabled Product under this Agreement for (i) end use (but not resale) by the  Sublicensee or Affiliate shall be treated as sales by LICENSEE at list price of LICENSEE, or (ii) resale by a Sublicensee or an Affiliate shall be treated as sales at the list price of the Sublicensee or Affiliate.

1.12                            “Patent Costs” means all out-of-pocket expenses for the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of all United States and foreign patents included in Patent Rights.  Patent Costs shall also include reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for patentability opinions, inventorship determination, preparation and prosecution of patent application, re-examination, re-issue, interference, and opposition activities related to patents or applications in Patent Rights.

1.13                            “Combination Product” means any product which is a Licensed Product or Enabled Product and contains other product(s) or product component(s) that is not an excipient, diluent, adjuvant, buffer and the like and (i) does not use Technology Patent Rights, or Related Patent Rights; (ii) the sale, use or import by itself does not contribute to or induce the infringement of Patent Rights and does not misappropriate Property Rights (as defined by 1.19 below; (iii) is sold separately by LICENSEE, its Sublicensee or an Affiliate; and (iv) enhances the market price of the final product(s) sold, used or imported by LICENSEE, its Sublicensee, or an Affiliate.  Notwithstanding (iii) above, if said product(s) or product component(s) is not sold separately, the parties shall negotiate in good faith the fair market value of the component(s).  Any dispute between the parties regarding such fair market value shall be resolved in accordance with Section 3.4.

1.14                            “Patent Product” means any composition or product that (i) uses or is covered by the claims of Patent Rights or Related Patent Rights, (ii) that is produced by or practices  the Licensed Method, or (iii) the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale, or importation of which would constitute in a particular country, but for the license granted to LICENSEE under this Agreement, an infringement, an inducement to infringe or contributory infringement, of any pending or issued Valid Claim within the Patent Rights or University’s interest in Related Patent Rights in such country had such rights not been owned by LICENSEE.   Patent Product is a Licensed Product.  For the avoidance of doubt, Patent Product does not include Enabled Products.

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1.15                            “Patent-Enabled Identified Product” means any composition or product that (i) the use, sale, manufacture or import of it does not infringe Patent Rights or Related Patent Rights but  (ii) is identified using Patent Rights, Related Patent Rights or Patent Product.

1.16                            “Technology Product” means any composition or product that (i) does not infringe Patent Rights or Related Patent Rights but (ii) uses Property Rights or comprises, in whole or in part, Technology or derivatives thereof.  Technology Product is a Licensed Product.

1.17                            “Technology-Enabled Identified Product” means any composition or product that (i) the manufacture, use, sale, or import of it does not infringe Patent Rights or Related Patent Rights and does not misappropriate Property Rights but (ii) is identified using Technology, in whole or in part, Technology Product or any derivative thereof.

1.18                            “Related Patent Rights” means LICENSEE’s rights in any patents and patent applications filed by LICENSEE or its agents during the period commencing on the Effective Date of the Previous Agreement and ending on the expiration of the Term, and claiming Related Inventions.

1.19                            “Property Rights” means all of UNIVERSITY’S right, title and interest in the tangible personal property embodied in the Technology. Tangible personal property rights are defined in the California Civil Code Title 2, Article 1.  Tangible property is defined in Black’s Law Dictionary as “All property which is touchable and has real existence (physical) whether it is real or personal.” Black’s Law Dictionary, Fifth Edition, pg. 1096.

1.20                            “Excluded Revenue” means (i) the cost of raw material, labor, direct and indirect cost (where such direct and indirect costs do not exceed 125% of the cost for raw materials and labor), and (ii) any consideration that LICENSEE receives for research funding (including license fees and milestones specifically intended for the reimbursement of research or regulatory costs as demonstrated by written record), reimbursement of patent filing, patent prosecution, patent maintenance, royalties paid or payable under Section 3.1(d) or (f), Sublicense fees paid or payable under Section 3.1(e) or other expenses (as agreed upon in writing by the parties).  The parties agree that license fees and milestones under LICENSEE’s collaboration agreements entered into prior to the Effective Date were intended for reimbursement of research costs and therefore constitute Excluded Revenue.

1.21                            “Related Inventions” means the inventions disclosed in U.S. Patent No. […***…] and any corresponding foreign applications or patents.

1.22                            “Valid Claim” means a claim of a patent or patent application within the Patent Rights in any country that (i) has not expired; (ii) has not been disclaimed; (iii) has not been

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cancelled or superseded, or if cancelled or superseded, ahs been reinstated; (iv) has not been admitted to be invalid or unenforceable through reissue, disclaimer or otherwise and (v) has not been revoked, held invalid, or otherwise declared unenforceable or not allowable by a tribunal or patent authority of competent jurisdiction over such claim in such country from which no further appeal may be taken.

1.23                            “Sublicense Fees” means payments paid by a Sublicensee in consideration for a Sublicense, but excluding consideration that LICENSEE receives for reimbursement of patent filing, patent prosecution, patent maintenance, and earned royalties.

1.24                            “Enabled Products” means Patent-Enabled Identified Products and Technology-Enabled Identified Products.

ARTICLE 2.  GRANTS

2.1  License.

(a)           Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement and subject to Sponsor’s Rights, including the licenses granted to the United States Government and those reserved by HHMI set forth in the Recitals, UNIVERSITY and LICENSEE hereby terminate the Previous Agreement and UNIVERSITY grants to LICENSEE, and LICENSEE hereby agrees and accepts, a license under Patent Rights to make and have made, to use and have used, to sell and have sold, to offer for sale, and to export and import Licensed Products and to practice Licensed Methods and a license under Property Rights to make and have made, to use and to sell Technology, in the Field within the Territory.  To the extent that LICENSEE sells Technology, LICENSEE shall prohibit its customers from reselling, redistributing, or propagating Technology.  For the avoidance of doubt, for so long as UNIVERSITY has granted to LICENSEE the above rights and licenses set forth in this Section 2.1, LICENSEE, Affiliates and Sublicensees have the right to make and have made, to use and have used, to sell and have sold, to offer for sale, and to export and import Enabled Products and their third party customers shall have the right to sell Enabled Products independent of UNIVERSITY.

The license granted herein is exclusive for Patent Rights.  The license granted herein is exclusive for Technology, subject to (i) the Reservation of Rights in Section 2.3; and (ii) the […***…] and HHMI’s policy on research tools.

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, after expiration (but not termination) of this Agreement, LICENSEE shall have a fully paid up license under Property Rights to make, have made, use and to sell Technology in the Field within the Territory.

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2.2  Sublicense.

(a)  The license granted in Paragraph 2.1 includes the right of LICENSEE to grant Sublicense(s) to third parties during the Term but only for as long as the license is exclusive for Patent Rights.

(b)  With respect to Sublicense(s) granted pursuant to Paragraph 2.2(a), LICENSEE shall:

(i) to the extent non-cash Sublicense revenue is received by LICENSEE or its Affiliate from a Sublicensee under a Sublicense granted pursuant to Paragraph 2.2(a), value such non-cash Sublicense revenue at its fair market value as of the date of receipt. Any dispute between the parties regarding such fair market value shall be resolved in accordance with Section 3.4;

(ii)  to the extent applicable, include all of the rights of and obligations due to UNIVERSITY and HHMI (and, if applicable, the Sponsor’s Rights) and contained in this Agreement;

(iii)  promptly provide UNIVERSITY with a copy of each Sublicense issued; and

(iv)  collect and guarantee payment of all payments due, directly or indirectly, to UNIVERSITY from Sublicensees and summarize and deliver all reports due, directly or indirectly, to UNIVERSITY from Sublicensees.

(c)  Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, UNIVERSITY, at its sole discretion, shall determine whether LICENSEE shall cancel or assign to UNIVERSITY any and all Sublicenses.

2.3  Reservation of Rights.   UNIVERSITY reserves the right to:

(a)  use the Invention, Technology and Patent Rights for educational and research purposes;

(b)  publish or otherwise disseminate any information about the Invention and Technology at any time to the extent such information does not contain LICENSEE’s Confidential Information; and

(c)  allow other nonprofit institutions to use Invention, Technology and Patent Rights for educational and research purposes in their facilities.

ARTICLE 3.  CONSIDERATION

3.1  Fees and Royalties.   The parties hereto understand that the fees and royalties payable by LICENSEE to UNIVERSITY under this Agreement are partial consideration for the license

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granted herein to LICENSEE under Technology, and Patent Rights. LICENSEE shall pay UNIVERSITY:

(a) in recognition of the consideration paid under the Previous Agreement, and the mutual promises and consideration recited in the contemporaneously-executed Common Interest Agreement, no license or issue fee is due under this Agreement;

(b)  license maintenance fees of […***…] per year, due and payable on or before February 28, 2007, and annually thereafter on each anniversary through year 2013;  provided however, that LICENSEE’s obligation to pay this fee shall […***…].

(c)  an earned royalty of:

(i)            […***…] of Net Sales of Patent Products by LICENSEE, an Affiliate, or a Sublicensee ;  [By way of illustration, but not limitation, an example would be sale by LICENSEE  (or an Affiliate or Sublicensee) of receptor kits where such kits infringe a claim under Patent Rights.  In such event, UNIVERSITY is entitled to […***…] of LICENSEE’s Net Sales or, in the case of a Sublicense, to […***…] of Sublicensee’s Net Sales of such kits.]

(ii)           […***…] of Net Sales of Technology Products by LICENSEE,an Affiliate, or a Sublicensee; [By way of illustration, but not limitation, an example would be sale by LICENSEE (or an Affiliate or Sublicensee) of receptor kits where such kits do not infringe a claim under Patent Rights but use Property Rights.  In such event, UNIVERSITY is entitled to […***…] of LICENSEE’s Net Sales or, in the case of a Sublicense, to […***…] of Sublicensee’s Net Sales of such kits.]

(iii)          […***…] of Net Sales of Patent-Enabled Identified Products by LICENSEE, an Affiliate, or a Sublicensee;  [By way of illustration, but not limitation, an example would be direct sale by LICENSEE (or an Affiliate or Sublicensee of Patent Rights) of a compound identified by LICENSEE (or, in the case of an Affiliate or Sublicensee, a compound identified by such Affiliate or Sublicensee) using the Patent Rights.  In such event, UNIVERSITY is entitled to […***…] of LICENSEE’s Net Sales or, in the case of a Sublicense, to […***…] of Sublicensee’s Net Sales.]

(iv)          […***…] of Net Sales of Technology-Enabled Identified Products by LICENSEE, an  Affiliate, or a Sublicensee;  [By way of illustration, but not limitation, an example would be direct sale by LICENSEE (or direct sale by an Affiliate or Sublicensee of Property Rights) of a compound identified by LICENSEE (or, in the case of an Affiliate or Sublicensee, a compound identified by such Affiliate or Sublicensee) using the Technology Product.  In such event, UNIVERSITY is entitled to […***…] of LICENSEE’s Net Sales or, in the case of a Sublicense, to […***…] of Sublicensee’s Net Sales.]

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(v)           […***…] of Net Sales received by LICENSEE, an Affiliate or a Sublicensee from a third party for lease or license of Patent-Enabled Identified Products; [By way of illustration, but not limitation, examples would be: (a) sale by a LICENSEE collaborator, which collaborator is not a Sublicensee of the Patent Rights or Property Rights, of a compound identified by LICENSEE using the Patent Rights; and (b) in the event of a Sublicense of Patent Rights or Property Rights, sale by a Sublicensee’s collaborator of a compound identified by Sublicensee using the Patent Rights.  The parties acknowledge that the current agreements between LICENSEE and its collaborators fall under this royalty scheme and UNIVERSITY is entitled to […***…] of LICENSEE’s Net Sales (i.e. royalty revenue) to its collaborators.  In the case of (a) above, UNIVERSITY is entitled to […***…] of LICENSEE’s Net Sales to its collaborator (not […***…] of the collaborator’s Net Sales).  In the case of (b) above, UNIVERSITY is entitled to […***…] of Sublicensee’s Net Sales (i.e. royalty revenue) to its collaborator (not […***…] of the collaborator’s Net Sales).  For the avoidance of doubt, this (v) does not apply to Sublicenses of Patent Rights or Property Rights.]

(vi)          […***…] of Net Sales received by LICENSEE , an Affiliate or a Sublicensee from a third party for lease or license of Technology-Enabled Identified Products; [By way of illustration, but not limitation, examples would be: (a) sale by a LICENSEE collaborator, which collaborator is not a Sublicensee of the Patent Rights or Property Rights, of a compound identified by LICENSEE using the Property Rights; and (b) in the event of a Sublicense of Patent Rights or Property Rights, sale by a Sublicensee’s collaborator of a compound identified by Sublicensee using the Property Rights.  In the case of (a) above, UNIVERSITY is entitled to […***…] of LICENSEE’s Net Sales (i.e. royalty revenue) to its collaborator (not […***…] of the collaborator’s Net Sales).  In the case of (b) above, UNIVERSITY is entitled to […***…] of Sublicensee’s Net Sales (i.e. royalty revenue) to its collaborator (not […***…] of the collaborator’s Net Sales).  For the avoidance of doubt, this (v) does not apply to Sublicenses of Patent Rights or Property Rights.]

provided, however, that the earned royalty due on Net Sales of Combination Product by LICENSEE and/or its Affiliate(s) shall be calculated as below:

Earned Royalties due UNIVERSITY = [A/(A+B)] x Royalty Rate on Net Sales of the Licensed Products or Enabled Products x Net Sales of Combination Product, where:

A is the separately listed sale price of the Licensed Product/Enabled Product or Licensed Product/Enabled Product components; and

B is the separately listed sale prices of the individual products or product components, respectively, that satisfied the requirements outlined in Paragraph 1.13.

For (v) and (vi) above, Net Sales shall not include Excluded Revenue.

For the avoidance of doubt, if LICENSEE has solely licensed a compound(s) identified through screening with the Patent Rights but has not Sublicensed the Patent Rights, […***…] of LICENSEE’s Net Sales will be due.  In the event of an overlap of 3.1(c)(i) — 3.1(c)(vi) above, there shall be no

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double royalty, but only the higher royalty shall be paid, for any single Licensed Product or Enabled Product.

(d)           in the case of Sublicenses to Patent Rights or Property Rights (and not  licenses solely to Patent-Enabled Identified Products or Technology-Enabled Identified Products) […***…] of all Sublicense Fees received by LICENSEE  from its Sublicensees.  In the event of an overlap with 3.1(c)(i) — 3.1(c)(vi) above, there shall be no double payment obligation, and only the higher royalty shall be paid.

(e)           beginning the calendar year of 2014, if the total earned royalties paid by LICENSEE, under Paragraph 3.1(c), on behalf of LICENSEE, its Sublicensee or Affiliate, in any such calendar year, cumulatively amounts to less than the following:

US Dollars payable to UNIVERSITY:

 

Calendar year:

 

[...***...]

 

2014

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

2018

 

 

(“ minimum annual royalty ”), LICENSEE shall pay to UNIVERSITY a minimum annual royalty on or before February 28 following the last quarter of such calendar year the difference between amount noted above and the total earned royalty paid by LICENSEE for such calendar year under Paragraph 3.1(c); provided, however, that for all calendar years succeeding 2018, and until the termination of this Agreement, the minimum annual royalty shall be […***…] per year.

All fees and royalty payments specified in Paragraphs 3.1(a) through 3.1(e) above shall be paid by LICENSEE pursuant to Paragraph 4.3 and shall be delivered by LICENSEE to UNIVERSITY as noted in Paragraph 10.1.

3.2  Patent Costs.   LICENSEE shall reimburse UNIVERSITY all […***…] Patent Costs incurred in the Territory within […***…] following the date an itemized invoice is sent from UNIVERSITY to LICENSEE.

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3.3  Due Diligence.

(a)           LICENSEE shall, either directly or through its Affiliate(s) or Sublicensee(s):

(i)       […***…]

(b)           If LICENSEE fails to perform any of its obligations specified in Paragraphs 3.3(a)(i)-(x), then UNIVERSITY shall have the right and option to […***…].  This right, if exercised by

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UNIVERSITY, supersedes the rights granted in Article 2.  To exercise the […***…] for lack of diligence required in this Section 3.3(b), UNIVERSITY will give the LICENSEE written notice of the deficiency.  LICENSEE will have sixty (60) days to cure the deficiency.  If Licensee does not cure the deficiency within sixty (60) days after the written notice takes effect and does not demonstrate to UNIVERSITY’s satisfaction, by written, tangible evidence, that such default has been cured, then UNIVERSITY may, at its option, […***…] by giving Licensee a second written notice.  Any notice given by either party will be subject to Section 10.1 (Notices).  If the licenses granted to LICENSEE are […***…].

3.4   Valuation Dispute Resolution.   In the event of a dispute between the parties regarding (i) the fair market value as of the date of receipt of any non-cash Net Sales received by LICENSEE or its Affiliate, or (ii) the fair market value of LICENSEE’s product(s) or product component(s) that is a valid part of a Combination Product, the parties shall then submit their assessment to arbitration by a single arbitrator under the rules of the American Arbitration Association.   […***…] shall bear all fees and costs of the arbitrators.

ARTICLE 4.  REPORTS, RECORDS AND PAYMENTS

4.1  Reports.

(a)           Progress Reports .

(i)            Beginning six months after Effective Date and ending on the date of first commercial sale of a Licensed Product or Enabled Product in the United States, LICENSEE shall report to UNIVERSITY progress covering LICENSEE’s (and Affiliate’s and Sublicensee’s) activities for the preceding six months to develop and test all Licensed Products and Licensed Methods, and Enabled Products and obtain governmental approvals necessary for marketing the same.  Such semi-annual reports shall be due within sixty days of the reporting period and include a summary of work completed, summary of work in progress, current schedule of anticipated events or milestones, market plans for introduction of Licensed Products and Enabled Products and summary of resources (dollar value) spent in the reporting period.

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(ii)           LICENSEE shall also report to UNIVERSITY, in its immediately subsequent progress report, the date of first commercial sale of a Licensed Product or Enabled Product in each country.

(b)           Royalty Reports.   After the first commercial sale of a Licensed Product or Enabled Product anywhere in the world, LICENSEE shall submit to UNIVERSITY quarterly royalty reports on or before each February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30 of each year.  Each royalty report shall cover LICENSEE’s (and each Affiliate’s and Sublicensee’s) most recently completed calendar quarter and shall show, to the extent such information is made available to LICENSEE:

(i)            the gross sales, deductions as provided in Paragraph 1.11, and Net Sales during the most recently completed calendar quarter and the royalties, in US dollars, payable with respect thereto;

(ii)           the number of each type of Licensed Product and/or Enabled Product sold;

(iii)          Sublicense fees and royalties received during the most recently completed calendar quarter in US dollars, payable with respect thereto;

(iv)          the method used to calculate the royalties; and

(v)           the exchange rates used.

If no sales of Licensed Products or Enabled Products have been made and no Sublicense revenue has been received by LICENSEE during any reporting period, LICENSEE shall so report.

4.2   Records & Audits.

(a)           LICENSEE shall keep, and shall require its Affiliates and Sublicensees to keep, accurate and correct records of all Licensed Products manufactured, used, and sold, and Sublicense fees received under this Agreement.  Such records shall be retained by LICENSEE for at least five (5) years following a given reporting period.

(b)           All records shall be available during normal business hours for inspection at the expense of UNIVERSITY by UNIVERSITY’s Internal Audit Department or by a Certified Public Accountant selected by UNIVERSITY and in compliance with the other terms of this Agreement for the sole purpose of verifying reports and payments or other compliance issues.  Such inspector shall not disclose to UNIVERSITY any information other than information relating to the accuracy of reports and payments made under this Agreement or other compliance issues.  In the event that any such inspection shows an under reporting and underpayment in excess of five percent (5%) for any twelve-month (12-month) period, then LICENSEE shall pay the cost of the audit as well as any additional sum that would have  been payable to

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UNIVERSITY had the LICENSEE reported correctly, plus an interest charge at a rate of ten percent (10%) per year.  Such interest shall be calculated from the date the correct payment was due to UNIVERSITY up to the date when such payment is actually made by LICENSEE.  For underpayment not in excess of five percent (5%) for any twelve-month (12-month) period, LICENSEE shall pay the difference within thirty (30) days without interest charge or inspection cost.  Any overpayments shall be credited to LICENSEE’s royalty obligations for the next royalty period.

4.3  Payments .

(a)           All fees reimbursements and royalties due UNIVERSITY shall be paid in United States dollars and all checks shall be made payable to “The Regents of the University of California”, referencing UNIVERSITY’s taxpayer identification number, 95-6006144, and sent to UNIVERSITY according to Paragraph 10.1 (Correspondence).  When Licensed Products are sold in currencies other than United States dollars, LICENSEE shall first determine the earned royalty in the currency of the country in which Licensed Products were sold and then convert the amount into equivalent United States funds, using the exchange rate quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the last business day of the applicable reporting period.

(b)           Royalty Payments.

(i)            Royalties will accrue in each country for the duration of one or more Valid Claims in Patent Rights in that country and will be payable to UNIVERSITY (a) under Sections 3.1(c)(i)-(iv) when Licensed Products or Enabled Products are invoiced, or if not invoiced, when delivered to a third party or Affiliate; and (b) under Sections 3.1(c)(v) and 3.1(c)(vi) when royalty revenues are received by LICENSEE on Enabled Products.

(ii)           LICENSEE shall pay earned royalties quarterly on or before February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30 of each calendar year.  Each such payment shall be for earned royalties accrued within LICENSEE’s most recently completed calendar quarter.

(iii)          Royalties earned on sales occurring or under Sublicense granted pursuant to this Agreement in any country outside the United States shall not be reduced by LICENSEE for any withholding taxes, fees or other charges imposed by the government of such country on the payment of royalty income, except that all payments made by LICENSEE in fulfillment of UNIVERSITY’s tax liability in any particular country may be credited against earned royalties or fees due UNIVERSITY for that country.  […***…].

(iv)          If at any time legal restrictions prevent the prompt remittance of part or all royalties by LICENSEE with respect to any country where a Licensed Product is sold or a Sublicense is granted pursuant to this Agreement, LICENSEE shall convert the amount owed to

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UNIVERSITY into US currency and shall pay UNIVERSITY directly from its US sources of fund for as long as the legal restrictions apply.

(v)           LICENSEE shall not collect royalties from, or be obligated to pay royaties on Licensed Products or Enabled Products sold to the account of the US Government or any agency thereof as provided for in the license to the US Government.

(vi)          In the event that any patent or patent claim within Patent Rights is held invalid in a final decision by a patent office from which no appeal or additional patent prosecution has been or can be taken, or by a court of competent jurisdiction and last resort and from which no appeal has or can be taken, all obligation to pay royalties based solely on that patent or claim or any claim patentably indistinct therefrom shall cease as of the date of such final decision.  LICENSEE shall not, however, be relieved from paying any royalties that accrued before the date of such final decision, that are based on another patent or claim not involved in such final decision.

(c)           Late Payments.  In the event royalty, reimbursement and/or fee payments are not received by UNIVERSITY when due, LICENSEE shall pay to UNIVERSITY interest charges at a rate of ten percent (10%) per year.  Such interest shall be calculated from the date payment was due until actually received by UNIVERSITY.

ARTICLE 5.  PATENT MATTERS

5.1  Patent Prosecution and Maintenance .

(a)           Provided that LICENSEE has reimbursed UNIVERSITY for Patent Costs pursuant to Paragraph 3.2, UNIVERSITY shall diligently prosecute and maintain the United States and, if available,  foreign patents, and applications in Patent Rights using counsel of its choice. UNIVERSITY shall provide LICENSEE with copies of all relevant documentation relating to such prosecution and LICENSEE shall keep this documentation confidential.  The counsel shall take instructions only from UNIVERSITY, and all patents and patent applications in Patent Rights shall be assigned solely to UNIVERSITY.

(b)           UNIVERSITY shall consider amending any patent application in Patent Rights to include claims reasonably requested by LICENSEE to protect the products contemplated to be sold by LICENSEE under this Agreement.

(c)           LICENSEE may elect to terminate its reimbursement obligations with respect to any patent application or patent in Patent Rights upon three (3) months’ written notice to UNIVERSITY.  UNIVERSITY shall use reasonable efforts to curtail further Patent Costs for such application or patent when such notice of termination is received from LICENSEE.  UNIVERSITY, in its sole discretion and at its sole expense, may continue prosecution and

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maintenance of said application or patent, and LICENSEE shall have no further license with respect thereto.  Non-payment of any portion of Patent Costs with respect to any application or patent may be deemed by UNIVERSITY as an election by LICENSEE to terminate its reimbursement obligations with respect to such application or patent.  The University is not obligated to file, prosecute, or maintain Patent Rights outside of the territory at any time or to file, prosecute, or maintain Patent Rights to which Licensee has terminated its License hereunder.

5.2   Patent Infringement .

(a)           In the event LICENSEE  knows that one or more third parties are substantially infringing the Patent Rights under this Agreement, LICENSEE  will promptly notify UNIVERSITY  in writing and provide UNIVERSITY with reasonable evidence of such infringement.

(b)           Both parties to this Agreement acknowledge that during the period and in a jurisdiction where the LICENSEE  has exclusive rights under this Agreement, neither party will notify a third party other than NIH and HHMI that an infringement of Patent Rights occurred without first obtaining consent of the other party.  Both parties will use their best efforts in cooperation with each other to terminate the infringement without litigation.

(c)           If the LICENSEE desires that Patent Rights be enforced against infringers, and the LICENSEE  has exclusive rights under Patent Rights, the LICENSEE  either may request UNIVERSITY  to take legal action against the patent infringer or may request permission from UNIVERSITY  to file suit against the patent infringer.  LICENSEE’s  request must be made in writing and must include reasonable evidence of the infringement and resulting damages to the LICENSEE.  If the infringing activity has not been abated within ninety (90) days following the effective date of LICENSEE’s request, then UNIVERSITY and the NIH will have the right to elect one of the following:

(i)            commence suit on their own account; or

(ii)           refuse to participate in a suit against the patent infringer.

UNIVERSITY  and NIH will give written notice of their election to the LICENSEE  within one hundred (100) days following the effective date of LICENSEE’s written request.  The LICENSEE, thereafter, may bring suit for patent infringement if and only if UNIVERSITY and the NIH elects not to commence suit and if the infringement occurred during the period and in a jurisdiction where the LICENSEE  had exclusive rights under this Agreement.  In the event LICENSEE  elects to bring suit in accordance with this Paragraph, UNIVERSITY  and NIH may thereafter join such suit at their own expense.

(d)           The party who brought the suit will pay for all legal costs and will recover any and all recoveries; provided, however, that if UNIVERSITY  and/or the NIH brought suit on their own account, then the parties and the NIH may share in the expense and the recoveries will be

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allocated in the following order: (a) each party will be reimbursed in equal amounts for attorney’s costs, fees, and other related expenses (to the extent that each party paid for such costs, fees, and expenses) until all such costs, fees, and expenses are reimbursed; and (b) each party will share equally in any remaining amount in proportion to the share of expenses paid by each party.

(e)           Each party will cooperate with the others during litigation proceedings instituted hereunder but at the expense of the party who brought the suit.  The party bringing suit will control such litigation, except that UNIVERSITY  may be represented by counsel of its choice in any suit brought by the LICENSEE.

5.3  Patent Marking.   LICENSEE shall mark all Licensed Products made, used or sold under the terms of this Agreement, or their containers, in accordance with the applicable patent marking laws.

ARTICLE 6.  GOVERNMENTAL MATTERS

6.1  Governmental Approval or Registration.   If this Agreement or any associated transaction is required by the law of any nation to be either approved or registered with any governmental agency, LICENSEE shall assume all legal obligations to do so.  LICENSEE shall notify UNIVERSITY if it becomes aware that this Agreement is subject to a United States or foreign government reporting or approval requirement.  LICENSEE shall make all necessary filings and pay all costs including fees, penalties, and all other out-of-pocket costs associated with such reporting or approval process.

6.2  Export Control Laws.   LICENSEE shall observe all applicable United States and foreign laws with respect to the transfer of Licensed Products and related technical data to foreign countries, including, without limitation, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations.

6.3  Preference for United States Industry .  If LICENSEE sells a Patent Product or Combination Product that consists of a Patent Product in the US, LICENSEE shall manufacture said product substantially in the US.

ARTICLE 7.  TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT

7.1  Termination by UNIVERSITY. If LICENSEE fails to perform or violates any material term of this Agreement, then UNIVERSITY may give written notice of default (“Notice of Default”) to LICENSEE.  If LICENSEE fails to cure the default within sixty (60) days of the Notice of Default, UNIVERSITY may terminate this Agreement and the license granted herein by a second written notice (“Notice of Termination”) to LICENSEE.  If a Notice of Termination is sent to LICENSEE, this Agreement shall automatically terminate on the effective date of that notice.

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Termination shall not relieve LICENSEE of its obligation to pay any fees owed at the time of termination and shall not impair any accrued right of UNIVERSITY.

7.2  Termination by LICENSEE.

(a)           LICENSEE shall have the right at any time and for any reason to terminate this Agreement upon a ninety (90)-day written notice to UNIVERSITY.  Said notice shall state LICENSEE’s reason for terminating this Agreement.

(b)           Any termination under Paragraph 7.2(a) shall not relieve LICENSEE of any obligation or liability accrued under this Agreement prior to termination or rescind any payment made to UNIVERSITY or action by LICENSEE prior to the time termination becomes effective.  Termination shall not affect in any manner any rights of UNIVERSITY arising under this Agreement prior to termination.

7.3  Survival on Termination.   The following Paragraphs and Articles shall survive the termination of this Agreement:

(a)           Article 4 (REPORTS, RECORDS AND PAYMENTS);

(b)                                  Paragraph 7.4 (Disposition of Licensed Products on Hand);

(c)           Paragraph 8.2 (Indemnification);

(d)           Article 9 (USE OF NAMES AND TRADEMARKS);

(e)           Paragraph 10.2 hereof (Secrecy);

(f)            Paragraph 10.5 (Failure to Perform); and

(g)                                  Paragraph 10.12 (HHMI Third Party Beneficiary Status).

7.4  Disposition of Licensed Products on Hand.   Upon termination of this Agreement, LICENSEE may dispose of all previously made or partially made Licensed Product within a period of […***…] days of the effective date of such termination provided that the sale of such Licensed Product by LICENSEE, its Sublicensees, or Affiliates shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement, including but not limited to the rendering of reports and payment of royalties required under this Agreement.

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ARTICLE 8.  LIMITED WARRANTY AND INDEMNIFICATION

8.1  Limited Warranty.

(a)           UNIVERSITY warrants that it has the lawful right to grant this license.

(b)           The license granted herein and the associated Technology are provided “AS IS” and without WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY or WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE or any other warranty, express or implied.  UNIVERSITY makes no representation or warranty that the Licensed Product, Licensed Method or the use of Patent Rights, Technology or Related Patent Rights or Related Inventions will not infringe any other patent or other proprietary rights.

(c)           In no event shall:

(i)            UNIVERSITY be liable for any incidental, special or consequential damages resulting from exercise by LICENSEE of the  license granted herein or the use of the Invention, Licensed Product, Licensed Method or Technology; or

(ii)           LICENSEE  be liable for any incidental, special or consequential damages resulting from exercise by UNIVERSITY of the  license granted herein or the use of the Invention, Licensed Product, Licensed Method or Technology.

(d)           Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as:

(i)            a warranty or representation by UNIVERSITY or LICENSEE as to the validity or scope of any Patent Rights or Related Patent Rights;

(ii)           a warranty or representation that anything made, used, sold or otherwise disposed of under any license granted in this Agreement is or shall be free from infringement of patents of third parties;

(iii)          an obligation to bring or prosecute actions or suits against third parties for patent infringement except as provided in Paragraph 5.2 hereof;

(iv)          conferring by implication, estoppel or otherwise any license or rights under any patents of UNIVERSITY other than Patent Rights as defined in this Agreement, regardless of whether those patents are dominant or subordinate to Patent Rights; or

(v)           an obligation to furnish any know-how not provided in Patent Rights and Technology; or

(vi)          an obligation to update Technology.

21




8.2  Indemnification.

(a)           LICENSEE shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend UNIVERSITY, its officers, employees, and agents; the sponsors of the research that led to the Invention; and the Inventors of the patents and patent applications in Patent Rights and their employers against any and all claims, suits, losses, damage, costs, fees, and expenses resulting from or arising out of exercise of this license or any Sublicense.  This indemnification shall include, but not be limited to, any product liability.

HHMI and its trustees, officers, employees and agents (collectively, “HHMI Indemnitees”), will be indemnified, defended by counsel acceptable to HHMI, and held harmless by LICENSEE from and against any claim, expense, damage, deficiency, liability, cost, loss or obligation of any kind or nature (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses of defense), (collectively, “Claims”), based upon, arising out of, or otherwise relating to this Agreement, including without limitation any cause of action relating to product liability.  The previous sentence will not apply to any Claim that is determines with finality by a court of competent jurisdiction to result solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of an HHMI Indemnitee.

(b)           LICENSEE, at its sole cost and expense or through its collaborators, shall insure its activities in connection with the work under this Agreement and obtain, keep in force and maintain insurance or an equivalent program of self insurance as follows:

(i)            comprehensive or commercial general liability insurance (contractual liability included) with limits of at least:  (A) each occurrence, one million dollars (US$1,000,000); (B) products/completed operations aggregate, five million dollars (US$5,000,000); (C) personal and advertising injury,one million dollars (US$1,000,000); and (D) general aggregate (commercial form only), five million dollars (US$5,000,000); and

(ii)           the coverage and limits referred to above shall not in any way limit the liability of LICENSEE.

(c)           LICENSEE shall furnish UNIVERSITY with certificates of insurance showing compliance with all requirements.  Such certificates shall: (i) provide for thirty (30) day advance written notice to UNIVERSITY of any modification; (ii) indicate that UNIVERSITY and HHMI have been endorsed as an additional insured under the coverage referred to above; and (iii) include a provision that the coverage shall be primary and shall not participate with nor shall be excess over any valid and collectable insurance or program of self-insurance carried or maintained by UNIVERSITY or HHMI.

(d)           UNIVERSITY shall notify LICENSEE in writing of any claim or suit brought against UNIVERSITY or HHMI in respect of which UNIVERSITY or HHMI intends to invoke the provisions of this Article.  LICENSEE shall keep UNIVERSITY informed on a current basis of its defense of any claims under this Article.

22




ARTICLE 9.  USE OF NAMES AND TRADEMARKS

9.1           Nothing contained in this Agreement confers any right to use in advertising, publicity, or other promotional activities any name, trade name, trademark, or other designation of either party hereto (including contraction, abbreviation or simulation of any of the foregoing).  Unless required by law, the use by LICENSEE of the name, “The University of California” or the name of any campus of the University Of California is prohibited, without the express written consent of UNIVERSITY.

9.2           LICENSEE may not use the name of HHMI or of any HHMI employee (including Dr. Charles Zuker in a manner that reasonably could constitute an endorsement of a commercial product or service; but that use for other purposes, even if commercially motivated, is permitted provided that (1) the use is limited to accurately reporting factual events or occurrences, and (2) any reference to the name of HHMI or any HHMI employees in press releases or similar materials intended for public release is approved by HHMI in advance.

9.3           UNIVERSITY may disclose to the Inventors and HHMI the terms and conditions of this Agreement upon their request.  If such disclosure is made, UNIVERSITY shall request the Inventors and HHMI not disclose such terms and conditions to others.

9.4           UNIVERSITY may acknowledge the existence of this Agreement and the extent of the grant in Article 2 to third parties, but UNIVERSITY shall not disclose the financial terms of this Agreement to third parties, except where UNIVERSITY is required by law to do so, such as under the California Public Records Act.

ARTICLE 10.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

10.1                         Correspondence.   Any notice or payment required to be given to either party under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been properly given and effective:

          (a)  on the date of delivery if delivered in person, or

          (b)  five (5) days after mailing if mailed by first-class or certified mail, postage paid, to the respective addresses given below, or to such other address as is designated by written notice given to the other party.

If sent to LICENSEE:

Senomyx, Inc.

11099 N. Torrey Pines Road

La Jolla, CA 92037

Attention: General Counsel with copy to President

23




Phone:  (858) 646-8300

Fax:  (858) 404-0750

If sent to UNIVERSITY by mail:

University of California, San Diego

Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Services

9500 Gilman Drive

Mail Code 0910

La Jolla, CA 92093-0910

Attention:  Assistant Vice Chancellor

If sent to UNIVERSITY by courier:

University of California, San Diego

Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Services

10300 North Torrey Pines Road

Torrey Pines Center North, First Floor

La Jolla, CA 92037

Attention:  Assistant Vice Chancellor

For wire payments to UNIVERSITY:

24




All payments due UNIVERSITY and made by wire transfers shall include an additional wire transfer fee of twenty-five dollar (US$25) to the amount due. Wire transfers shall be made using the following information:

 

UCSD receiving bank name:

Bank of America

 

UCSD bank account no.:

1233-0-18188

 

UCSD bank routing (ABA) no.:

0260-0959-3

 

UCSD bank account name:

Regents of UC

 

UCSD bank ACH format code:

CTX

 

UCSD bank CHIPS address:

0959

 

UCSD bank SWIFT address:

BOFAUS3N

 

UCSD bank address:

Bank of America
PO Box 37025
San Francisco, CA 94137
U.S.A.

 

 

 

 

UCSD addendum information:

Reference UCSD-TechTIPS

CASE No. SD1998-D06
CASE No. SD1999-A15
CASE No. SD1999-A29
CASE No. SD1999-B68
CASE No. SD1999-C03
CASE No. SD 1999-C04
CASE No. SD2000-A45

Department contact:
Financial Manager

 

A fax copy of the transaction receipt should be sent to Financial Manager at:  (858) 534-7345. […***…]

10.2                                                                            Secrecy.

(a) LICENSEE and UNIVERSITY will treat and maintain the other party’s proprietary business, patent prosecution, technical information and other Confidential Information, including the negotiated terms of this Agreement and any progress reports and royalty reports (“Confidential Information”) in confidence using at least the same degree of care as the receiving party uses to protect its own Confidential Information of a like nature from the date of disclosure until […***…] after the termination or expiration of this Agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt, this confidentiality obligation will apply to the information disclosed under the Previous Agreement.

***Confidential Treatment Requested

25




(b) LICENSEE and UNIVERSITY may disclose Confidential Information to their employees, agents, consultants, contractors and, in the case of LICENSEE, its Sublicensees, provided that such parties are bound by a like duty of confidentiality as that found in this Section 10.2 (Secrecy).  LICENSEE and UNIVERSITY will use Confidential Information only as expressly permitted under this Agreement.

(c)  All written Confidential Information will be labeled or marked confidential or proprietary.  If the Confidential Information is orally disclosed, it will be reduced to writing or some other physically tangible form, marked and labeled as confidential or proprietary by the disclosing party and delivered to the receiving party within thirty (30) days after the oral disclosure.

(d) Nothing contained herein will in any way restrict or impair the right of LICENSEE or UNIVERSITY to use or disclose any Confidential Information:

(i)                                                          that recipient can demonstrate by written records was previously known to it prior to its disclosure by the disclosing party;

(ii)                                                       that recipient can demonstrate by written records is now, or becomes in the future, public knowledge other than through acts or omissions of recipient;

(iii)                                                    that recipient can demonstrate by written records was lawfully obtained without restrictions on the recipient from sources independent of the disclosing party;

(iv)                                                   that UNIVERSITY is required to disclosed pursuant to the California Public Records Act or other applicable law; and

(v)                                                      is independently developed by the employees, agents or contractors of receiving party, without the aid, application, or use of Confidential Information disclosed hereunder as shown by written record.

LICENSEE or UNIVERSITY also may use or disclose Confidential Information that is required to be disclosed (i) to a governmental entity or agency in connection with seeking any governmental or regulatory approval, governmental audit, or other governmental contractual requirement (ii) by law or regulation, provided that the recipient uses reasonable efforts to give the party owning the Confidential Information sufficient notice of such required disclosure to allow the party owning the Confidential Information reasonable opportunity to object to, and to take legal action to prevent, such disclosure.   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, either party may disclose the material terms of this Agreement in legal proceedings or as are required to be disclosed in its financial statements or by law.  Either party will have the further right to disclose the material terms of this Agreement to potential sublicensees, or under an obligation of confidentiality to any potential acquirer, merger partner, bank, venture capital firm, or other financial institution to obtain financing.

(e) Upon termination of this Agreement, LICENSEE and UNIVERSITY will destroy or return any of the disclosing party’s Confidential Information in its possession within fifteen (15) days following the termination of this Agreement.  LICENSEE and UNIVERSITY will provide each

26




other, within thirty (30) days following termination, with written notice that such Confidential Information has been returned or destroyed.  Each party may, however, retain one copy of such Confidential Information for archival purposes with respect to determining compliance with this Agreement.

(f) With regard to Technology, the Licensee agrees destroy all copies of the Technology at the termination (but not expiration) of this Agreement within […***…] following the effective date of such termination.

10.3                         Assignability.   This Agreement is binding upon and will inure to the benefit of UNIVERSITY, its successors and assigns, but will be personal to the LICENSEE.  This Agreement will not be assigned by the LICENSEE to any third party without the prior written consent of UNIVERSITY, except that LICENSEE can assign this Agreement to its successor without prior written consent of UNIVERSITY provided that LICENSEE has sold all or substantially all of its business assets or in connection with the acquisition of LICENSEE.  Any other attempt by LICENSEE to assign this Agreement is void unless LICENSEE obtains the prior written consent of UNIVERSITY.

10.4                         No Waiver.   No waiver by either party of any breach or default of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver as to any subsequent and/or similar breach or default.

10.5                         Failure to Perform.   In the event of a failure of performance due under this Agreement and if it becomes necessary for either party to undertake legal action against the other on account thereof, then the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees in addition to costs and necessary disbursements.

10.6                         Governing Laws.   THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE INTERPRETED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, but the scope and validity of any patent or patent application shall be governed by the applicable laws of the country of the patent or patent application.

10.7                         Force Majeure.   A party to this Agreement may be excused from any performance required herein if such performance is rendered impossible or unfeasible due to any catastrophe or other major event beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, war, riot, and insurrection; laws, proclamations, edicts, ordinances, or regulations; strikes, lockouts, or other serious labor disputes; and floods, fires, explosions, or other natural disasters.  When such events have abated, the non-performing party’s obligations herein shall resume.

10.8                         Headings.   The headings of the several sections are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

***Confidential Treatment Requested

27




10.9                         Entire Agreement.  This Agreement embodies the entire understanding of the parties and supersedes all previous communications, representations or understandings, either oral or written, between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof.

10.10                       Amendments.   No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding on the parties unless made in writing and signed on behalf of each party.

10.11                       Severability.   In the event that any of the provisions contained in this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had never been contained in it.

10.12                       HHMI Third Party Beneficiary Status.  HHMI is not a party to this Agreement and has no liability to LICENSEE, Affiliates, any sublicense, or user of anything covered in this Agreement, but HHMI is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Agreement and certain of its provisions are for the benefit of HHMI and are enforceable by HHMI in its own name.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , both UNIVERSITY and LICENSEE have executed this Agreement, in duplicate originals, by their respective and duly authorized officers on the day and year written.

SENOMYX, INC.:

 

THE REGENTS OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA:

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kent Snyder

 

By:

/s/ Alan Paau

(Signature)

 

(Signature)

 

 

 

Kent Snyder

 

Alan S. Paau, M.B.A, Ph.D.

 

 

 

President & CEO

 

Assistant Vice Chancellor,

 

 

Technology Transfer &

 

 

Intellectual Property Services

 

 

 

Date:

Oct 11, 2006

 

Date:

Oct 11, 2006

 

28




Exhibit A

Common Interest Agreement

[…***…]

 

***Confidential Treatment Requested

29




Exhibit B

Patent Rights

30




[…***…]

 

***Confidential Treatment Requested

31




Exhibit C

Technology

32




[…***…]

 

***Confidential Treatment Requested

33



Exhibit 10.38

***Text Omitted and Filed Separately with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Confidential Treatment Requested
Under 17 C.F.R. Sections 200.80(b)(4) and 240.24b-2.

 

 

ALAN S. PAAU, Ph.D., MBA

 

TELEPHONE:

858.534.5815

 

 

FAX:

858.534.7345

 

 

E-MAIL:

apaau@ucsd.edu

ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR

 

 

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES

 

 

9500 GILMAN DRIVE, MC - 0910

 

 

LA JOLLA, CA 92093-0910

 

 

 

October 11, 2006

Mr. Kent Snyder

President and Chief Executive Officer

Senomyx, Inc.

11099 North Torrey Pines Road

La Jolla, CA  92037

 

Subject:

Letter Agreement

Cases:

SD2001-F10 (OTT case no. 2001-510): [***]

 

SD2004-B00 (OTT case no. 2004-100): [***]

 

 

Dear Mr. Snyder:

The Regents of the University of California (“UNIVERSITY”), represented by its San Diego campus Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Services (9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0910) offers to  Senomyx, Inc. (“COMPANY”)  an exclusive opportunity to secure an exclusive license to the above-referenced inventions (“Inventions”) under the terms and conditions of the attached license agreement “2006 License Agreement.”

This offer shall be deemed accepted by COMPANY by signature below , and shall terminate the sooner of (i) the date the Inventions are included in the 2006 License Agreement, or (ii) […***…] from the date of this Letter Agreement. This offer shall be open for […***…] from the date of this letter (“Term”) and may be extended, in writing, by mutual consent of UNIVERSITY and COMPANY.  This offer is further contingent on UNIVERSITY successfully obtaining from NIH and from HHMI the sole management responsibility of the Inventions.

The Letter Agreement has the following terms and conditions:

1.                                        UNIVERSITY is a coassignee, along with the National Institutes of Health “NIH”, on UCSD case 2001-F10.  Within a reasonable time from the date of execution of the necessary interinstitutional agreement to designate UNIVERSITY as sole manager of the patent rights, UNIVERSITY will amend the 2006 License Agreement to include the patent rights directly arising from this Invention.

2.                                        UNIVERSITY is a coassignee, along with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute “HHMI”, on UCSD case 2004-B00.  Within a reasonable time from official, written notice from HHMI that case has been added to the existing  interinstitutional agreement to designate UNIVERSITY as sole manager of the patent rights, UNIVERSITY will amend the 2006 License Agreement to include the patent rights directly arising from this Invention.

***Confidential Treatment Requested




3.                                        COMPANY shall reimburse UNIVERSITY for […***…]. COMPANY shall pay UNIVERSITY within […***…] of the date on any invoice sent by UNIVERSITY to COMPANY for such reimbursement.  Nonpayment or partial payment of any such invoice shall be deemed to be a material breach of the Letter Agreement, subject to a cure period of […***…].  UNIVERSITY will notify COMPANY of such breach and, if such breach has not been cured within […***…] of such written notice, UNIVERSITY, at their option, may terminate the Letter Agreement by written notification to COMPANY.

4.                                        Upon addition of each Invention to the 2006 License Agreement, the Letter Agreement shall terminate (for each Invention) on the date such license becomes effective.

5.                                        COMPANY agrees that any information that either party shares with the other under this Letter Agreement shall remain confidential.

6.                                        If the Letter Agreement becomes terminated by reason of expiration of the Term or extension thereof, or, subject to the cure period in Section 3 above, nonpayment by COMPANY of any invoice for […***…], then UNIVERSITY shall have no further obligation to COMPANY with respect to the Invention.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Alan Paau

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Paau, Ph.D., MBA

 

 

Assistant Vice Chancellor

 

 

ACCEPTED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kent Snyder

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Kent Snyder

 

 

 

 

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

October 11, 2006

 

 

 

Copy:     File

***Confidential Treatment Requested




 

Exhibit A

2006 License Agreement



Exhibit 10.39

***Text Omitted and Filed Separately
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Confidential Treatment Requested
Under 17 C.F.R. Sections 200.80(b)(4)
and 240.24b-2.

FIFTH AMENDMENT
TO THE
COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND LICENSE AGREEMENT

THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT TO THE COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND LICENSE AGREEMENT (the “Fifth Amendment” ) is entered into as of October 29, 2006 (the “Fifth Amendment Effective Date ”) by and between SENOMYX, INC. ( “Senomyx” ), a Delaware corporation, having a principal place of business at 11099 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, and KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL, INC. , a Delaware corporation ( “Kraft” ) having offices at 801 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL 60025.

WHEREAS, Senomyx and Kraft entered into that certain Collaborative Research and License Agreement dated as of December 6, 2000, as amended by that certain First Amendment dated May 2, 2002, that certain Second Amendment dated April 29, 2005, that certain Third Amendment dated July 29, 2005, that certain Fourth Amendment dated December 9, 2005 and that certain Amended and Restated Fourth Amendment dated December 9, 2005 (collectively, the “Agreement” );

  WHEREAS, within […***…] days of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date, Senomyx shall submit to Kraft a written report regarding […***…], which the Steering Committee has determined to be reasonable within the meaning of Section 3.1.1(C)(ii), thereby completing Senomyx’s obligations under the […***…] Phase (capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Fifth Amendment shall have the meanings given such terms in the Agreement); and

WHEREAS, in recognition of Senomyx’s completion of its obligations under the […***…], Senomyx and Kraft wish to amend the Agreement to shift the remaining research funding from the […***…] Phase to the […***…] Phase;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and of the covenants, representations and agreements set forth below, the parties hereby agree to amend the Agreement as follows:

1.                                       Senomyx, within […***…] days of the Fifth Amendment Effective date, shall submit to Kraft a written report regarding […***…]. Upon receipt thereof by Kraft, the parties agree that Senomyx’s obligations under the […***…] Phase shall be completed pursuant to Section 3.1.1(C) of the Agreement.  The parties’ rights and obligations with respect to the […***…] Phase of the Collaborative Program under Sections 3, 9 and 10 of the Agreement will continue only with respect to […***…].

2.                                       Pursuant to Section 9.2(B) of the Agreement, Kraft will pay Senomyx a milestone payment of […***…] within […***…] days of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date.

3.                                       Section 3.1.1(B) of the Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:

***Confidential Treatment Requested




“During the Collaborative Period which will continue through […***…] for the […***…] Phase, Kraft will evaluate […***…] and may select […***…] for further development by notifying Senomyx of such selection in writing on or before expiration of the Collaborative Period.  Upon such notification, […***…] will become a […***…] Compound.”

4.                                       Section 9.1 of the Agreement is hereby modified such that all research funding from the […***…] Phase is shifted to the […***…] Phase as of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date.  Accordingly, beginning on December 9, 2006 and through the end of the December 8, 2007, Kraft will pay Senomyx at an annual rate of […***…] for the […***…] Phase.  From December 9, 2007, Kraft will pay Senomyx at an annual rate of […***…] through the end of the Collaborative Period for the […***…] Phase.  These payments will be made […***…] and on an […***…], provided that, with respect to the change in funding rate, payments for any period at a particular funding rate for less than one […***…] of the Collaborative Period will be based on the pro rata portion of the […***…] installment based on the actual number of days in such […***…] at the applicable funding rate. Kraft shall have the right to terminate the […***…] Phase of the Agreement by providing Senomyx with thirty (30) days advance written notice prior to the second anniversary date (December 9, 2007) of the Effective Date of the Restated Fourth Amendment  (the “No Go Notification”).

5.                                       Except as specifically amended by this Fifth Amendment, the terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

6.                                       This Fifth Amendment will be governed by the laws of the State of California, as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and to be performed entirely within such State.

7.                                       This Fifth Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties, through their authorized officers, have executed this Fifth Amendment as of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date.

SENOMYX, INC.

 

KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kent Snyder

 

By:

/s/ Todd Abraham

 

 

 

Name: Kent Snyder

 

Name: Todd Abraham

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Title: VP Global Research & Technology Strategy

 

 

 

Date:

October 31, 2006

 

Date:

November 6, 2006

 

***Confidential Treatment Requested



EXHIBIT 10.40

March 13, 2006

Sharon Wicker

6420 East Bay Lane

Richland, MI 49083

Dear Sharon:

Thank you for spending time with me and the Senomyx team these past few weeks to discuss the exciting opportunity we have for you as we build our organization.  We all believe this position is an ideal match for your talents and experience and that you will be a great fit for our executive team.

We are pleased to extend to you an offer to join Senomyx, Inc. (the “Company” ) as our Senior Vice President of Commercial Development and Chief Strategy Officer .  This position will report directly to me.  As a new team member, you have the opportunity to help create a legacy through your valuable contributions, and I look forward to your first day, April 24, 2006.

The following terms apply and will constitute your employment agreement with the Company (the “Agreement” ).

1.                                       EMPLOYMENT.

1.1           Term.  The term of this Agreement shall begin on your first day of work for the Company, which is scheduled for April 24, 2006, and shall continue until terminated in accordance with Section 4 herein.

1.2           Title .  You shall have the title of Senior Vice President of Commercial Development and Chief Strategy Officer of the Company and shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO” ).  You shall serve in such other capacity or capacities as the Company may from time to time prescribe.

1.3           Duties.  You shall do and perform all services, acts or things necessary or advisable to manage and conduct the business of the Company and which are normally associated with the position of Senior Vice President of Commercial Development and Chief Strategy Officer, consistent with the bylaws of the Company.  Your duties will also include participation in Board of Directors meetings and senior level management committee meetings as specified by the CEO.  As a Company employee, you will be expected to comply with Company policies and acknowledge in writing that you have read the Company’s Employee Handbook.  The Company’s Employee Handbook may be modified from time to time at the sole discretion of the Company.

1




1.4           Location .  Unless otherwise agreed in writing, you shall perform services pursuant to this Agreement at the Company’s offices located in San Diego, California, or at any other place at which the Company maintains an office; provided, however, that the Company may from time to time require you to travel temporarily to other locations in connection with the Company’s business.

2.                                       LOYAL AND CONSCIENTIOUS PERFORMANCE; NONCOMPETITION.

2.1           Loyalty .  During your employment by the Company you shall devote your full business energies, interest, abilities and productive time to the proper and efficient performance of your duties under this Agreement.

2.2           Covenant not to Compete .  Except with the prior written consent of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board” ), you will not, while employed by the Company, or during any period during which you are receiving compensation or any other consideration from the Company, engage in competition with the Company and/or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, or joint ventures currently existing or which shall be established during your employment by the Company (collectively, “Affiliates” ) either directly or indirectly, in any manner or capacity, as adviser, principal, agent, affiliate, promoter, partner, officer, director, employee, stockholder, owner, co-owner, consultant, or member of any association or otherwise, in any phase of the business of developing, manufacturing and marketing of products or services which are in the same field of use or which otherwise compete with the products or services or proposed products or services of the Company and/or any of its Affiliates.

2.3           Agreement not to Participate in Company’s Competitors .  During your employment by the Company, you agree not to acquire, assume or participate in, directly or indirectly, any position, investment or interest known by you to be adverse or antagonistic to the Company, its business or prospects, financial or otherwise or in any company, person or entity that is, directly or indirectly, in competition with the business of the Company or any of its Affiliates.  Ownership by you, as a passive investment, of less than two percent (2%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any corporation with one or more classes of its capital stock listed on a national securities exchange or publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market or in the over-the-counter market shall not constitute a breach of this paragraph.

3.                                       COMPENSATION.

3.1           Base Salary.   The Company shall pay you a base salary of two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($275,000) per year, less payroll deductions and all required withholdings, payable in regular periodic payments in accordance with Company policy.  Such base salary shall be prorated for any partial year of employment on the basis of a 365-day fiscal year.

3.2           Bonus.   In addition to your base salary, you will be eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus of up to forty percent (40%) of your then current base salary based

2




upon your performance against specific milestones to be defined by the CEO.  In addition, you will be entitled to guaranteed bonus payments as follows:  $50,000 to be paid within ten (10) days of the commencement of your employment hereunder; $33,000 to be paid within ten (10) days of the one (1) year anniversary of the commencement of your employment hereunder; and $17,000 to be paid within ten (10) days of the two (2) year anniversary of the commencement of your employment hereunder (so long as, in each case, you have remained continuously employed with the Company since your employment start date hereunder).

3.3           Stock Options.   Upon commencement of your employment hereunder, you shall be granted pursuant to the terms of the Company’s 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan” ), an option to purchase up to 150,000 shares of the common stock of the Company (the “Option” ).  The Option shall be an incentive stock option to the extent permitted by applicable Federal income tax law.  The exercise price of the Option will be equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. The Option will vest over four (4) years according to the following schedule (i) twenty-five percent (25%) of the total shares will vest upon the first anniversary of the commencement of your employment with the Company; (ii) 1/48 th  of the total shares subject to the Option will vest at the end of each one-month anniversary beginning at the end of the one year and will continue to vest over the following three year period.  The Option will be governed by a separate Stock Option Agreement and the Plan.

3.4           Option Rights Upon Change of Control.   The Plan contains a “double trigger” vesting acceleration provision such that, as more fully specified in the Plan, if your employment terminates under specified circumstances following a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Plan) such option shall immediately become 100% vested and exercisable in full.

3.5           Employment Taxes .  All of your compensation shall be subject to customary withholding taxes and any other employment taxes as are commonly required to be collected or withheld by the Company.

3.6           Vacation; Benefits .  You will be entitled to up to seventeen (17) days of Paid Time Off ( “PTO” ) per year.  In addition, you shall, in accordance with Company policy and the terms of the applicable plan documents, be eligible to participate in benefits under any executive benefit plan or arrangement which may be in effect from time to time and made available to the Company’s executive or key management employees.

3.7           Relocation .  The Company will pay up to $30,000 (the “Relocation Allowance” ) for actual expenses for movement of household goods by a relocation company selected by the Company (the “Relocation Expenses” ).  The Company will also grant a signing bonus (in addition to the bonuses provided for in Section 3.2) in the net amount of $50,000 (the “Home Sale Bonus” ) intended to cover the commission on the sale of your home and the fees associated with the purchase of your new home (collectively, the “Home Sale Expenses” ), which is to be paid within 10 days of your start date with the Company.  However, for avoidance of doubt in the event such $50,000 payment is not sufficient to cover the commission on the sale

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of your home and fees associated with the purchase of your new home, the Company will not increase the amount of such signing bonus. The Home Sale Bonus is intended to be net of all taxes, and you agree to work with the Company to establish the related necessary “gross-up” calculation.   In addition, the Company will provide $20,000 (the “Moving Expense Allowance” ) for temporary housing, moving related expenses, or transportation of you and your family (collectively, “Moving Expenses” ), less standard withholdings and deductions.  You may elect to apply all or a portion of your Relocation Expense Allowance, Home Sale Bonus and/or Moving Allowance against your Relocation Expenses, Home Sale Expenses and/or Moving Expenses.  All payments and expenses paid by the company may be considered taxable income to you and be subjected to federal and state taxes via payroll.  Please contact your tax consultant to determine which expenses may be used as itemized deductions on your income tax return.  Please contact Shanna Lepore, Director, Human Resources, to discuss further details.

4.                                       TERMINATION.

4.1           Termination By the Company .  Your employment with the Company may be terminated under the following conditions:

4.1.1        Termination for Death or Disability .  Your employment with the Company shall terminate effective upon the date of your death or Complete Disability.  “Complete Disability” shall mean the inability of you to perform your duties under this Agreement because you have become permanently disabled within the meaning of any policy of disability income insurance covering employees of the Company then in force.  In the event the Company has no policy of disability income insurance covering employees of the Company in force when you become disabled, the term Complete Disability shall mean the inability of the you to perform your duties under this Agreement by reason of any incapacity, physical or mental, which the Board, based upon medical advice or an opinion provided by a licensed physician acceptable to the Board, determines to have incapacitated you from satisfactorily performing all of your usual services for the Company for a period of at least ninety (90) days during any twelve (12) month period (whether or not consecutive).  Based upon such medical advice or opinion, the determination of the Board shall be final and binding and the date such determination is made shall be the date of such Complete Disability for purposes of this Agreement.  If your employment shall be terminated by death or Complete Disability, the Company shall pay to you, and/or your heirs, your base salary and accrued and unused vacation benefits earned through the date of termination at the rate in effect at the time of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings, and the Company shall thereafter have no further obligations to you and/or your heirs under this Agreement.

4.1.2        Termination by the Company For Cause .  The Company may terminate your employment under this Agreement for Cause.  “Cause” for the Company to terminate your employment shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i)             your substantial and repeated failure to satisfactorily perform your job duties which in the reasonable good faith determination of the Company demonstrates gross

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unfitness to serve the Company, such as continued flagrant absences from the Company and demonstrable and substantial lapses of duty;

(ii)            your refusal or failure to follow lawful directions of the CEO;

(iii)          your conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;

(iv)           your engaging or in any manner participating in any activity which is directly competitive with or injurious to the Company or any of its Affiliates or which violates any material provisions of Section 5 hereof or your Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement with the Company; or

(v)             your commission of any fraud against the Company, its Affiliates, employees, agents, collaborators or customers or use or intentional appropriation for your personal use or benefit of any funds or properties of the Company.

If your employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause, the Company shall pay the your base salary and accrued and unused vacation benefits earned through the date of termination at the rate in effect at the time of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings, and the Company shall thereafter have no further obligations to you under this Agreement.

4.1.3        Termination by the Company Without Cause .  You shall be an at-will employee.  The Company may terminate your employment under this Agreement at any time and for any reason or no reason.  However, if the Company terminates your employment without Cause (i) the Company shall pay you your base salary and accrued and unused vacation earned through the date of termination at the rate then in effect, less standard deductions and withholdings and (ii) the Company shall continue to pay to you as severance, on the Company’s regular pay days, your base salary then in effect for a period of six (6) months following the date of termination, less standard deductions and withholdings; provided that in order to be eligible for said severance payments pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii) you shall be required to execute and deliver to the Company a release of claims substantially in the form of Exhibit A and you shall not be eligible to receive any such severance payment or acceleration until said release shall become effective.

4.2           Termination By You .  You may resign your employment upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Company, delivered to the CEO.  Upon such resignation, the Company shall pay you your base salary and accrued and unused vacation earned through the date upon which the Company, in its sole discretion, accepts such resignation, and you shall not be entitled to any other benefit or compensation and the Company shall have no further obligations to you under this Agreement.

4.3           Termination by Mutual Agreement of the Parties .  Your employment pursuant to this Agreement may be terminated at any time upon mutual agreement, in writing.  Any such termination of employment shall have the consequences specified in such writing.

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4.4           Survival of Certain Provisions.   Sections 2.2 and 5 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

5.                                       CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION; NONSOLICITATION .

5.1           As a condition of employment you agree to execute and abide by the Company’s standard Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit B.

5.2           While employed by the Company and for one (1) year thereafter, you agree that in order to protect the Company’s trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information from unauthorized use, you will not, either directly or through others, solicit or attempt to solicit any employee, consultant or independent contractor of the Company to terminate his or her relationship with the Company in order to become an employee, consultant or independent contractor to or for any other person or business entity.

6.                                       ASSIGNMENT AND BINDING EFFECT.

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of you and your heirs, executors, personal representatives, assigns, administrators and legal representatives.  Because of the unique and personal nature of your duties under this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations under this Agreement shall be assignable by you.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors, assigns and legal representatives.

7.                                       CHOICE OF LAW.

This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California.

8.                                       INTEGRATION.

This Agreement, including Exhibits A and B, contains the complete, final and exclusive agreement of the Parties relating to the terms and conditions of your employment and the termination of your employment, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous oral and written employment agreements or arrangements between the Parties. To the extent this Agreement conflicts with the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement attached as Exhibit A hereto, the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement controls.

9.                                       AMENDMENT.

This Agreement cannot be amended or modified except by a written agreement signed by you and the Chairman of the Board of the Company.

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10.                                WAIVER.

No term, covenant or condition of this Agreement or any breach thereof shall be deemed waived, except with the written consent of the Party against whom the wavier is claimed, and any waiver or any such term, covenant, condition or breach shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other term, covenant, condition or breach.

11.                                SEVERABILITY.

The finding by a court of competent jurisdiction of the unenforceability, invalidity or illegality of any provision of this Agreement shall not render any other provision of this Agreement unenforceable, invalid or illegal.  Such court shall have the authority to modify or replace the invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision which most accurately represents the Parties intention with respect to the invalid or unenforceable term or provision.

12.                                INTERPRETATION; CONSTRUCTION.

The headings set forth in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be used in interpreting this Agreement.  This Agreement has been drafted by legal counsel representing the Company, but you have been encouraged to consult with, and have consulted with, your own independent counsel and tax advisors with respect to the terms of this Agreement.  The Parties acknowledge that each Party and its counsel has reviewed and revised, or had an opportunity to review and revise, this Agreement, and any rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement.

13.                                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

You represent and warrant that you are not restricted or prohibited, contractually or otherwise, from entering into and performing each of the terms and covenants contained in this Agreement, and that your execution and performance of this Agreement will not violate or breach any other agreements between you and any other person or entity.

14.                                COUNTERPARTS.

This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, all of which together shall contribute one and the same instrument.

15.                                LITIGATION COSTS.

Should any claim be commenced between the Parties or their personal representatives concerning any provision of this Agreement or the rights and duties of any person in relation to this Agreement, the Party prevailing in such action shall be entitled, in addition to such other relief as may be granted to a reasonable sum as and for that Party’s attorney’s fees in such action.

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16.                                ELIGIBILITY.

As required by law, this offer and Agreement is subject to satisfactory proof of your right to work in the United States.

If you accept employment on the terms described above, please sign and date this letter in the space provided below and return it to me no later than March 21, 2006.  After such date this offer shall lapse.

Sharon, please feel free to call me if you have any questions, or if we can be of additional assistance.  We feel strongly about your fit for this position and believe that your presence on our team will greatly enhance our ability to succeed.  Welcome to Senomyx – we look forward to having you as a member of our team!

Sincerely,

Senomyx, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Kent Snyder

 

 

 

Kent Snyder, President and CEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agreed and Accepted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Sharon Wicker

 

 

 

Sharon Wicker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

3/20/06

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS

In consideration of the payments and other benefits set forth in Section 4.1.3 of the Offer of Employment letter dated March 14, 2006 (the “Agreement” ), to which this form is attached, I, Sharon Wicker, hereby furnish Senomyx, Inc. (the “Company” ), with the following release and waiver ( “Release and Waiver” ).

I hereby generally and completely release the Company and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, Affiliates, and assigns from any and all claims, liabilities and obligations, both known and unknown, that arise out of or are in any way related to events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring prior to my signing this Release and Waiver.  This general release includes, but is not limited to: (1) all claims arising out of or in any way related to my employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; (2) all claims related to my compensation or benefits from the Company, including salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation pay, expense reimbursements, severance pay, fringe benefits, stock, stock options, or any other ownership interests in the Company; (3) all claims for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (4) all tort claims, including claims for fraud, defamation, emotional distress, and discharge in violation of public policy; and (5) all federal, state, and local statutory claims, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, attorneys’ fees, or other claims arising under the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (as amended) ( “ADEA” ), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (as amended); provided, however, that this release shall not relieve the Company of any of its obligations under the Agreement or pursuant to any written stock option agreement granted to me pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans.

I also acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows:  “ A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor. I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to any claims I may have against the Company.

I acknowledge that, among other rights, I am waiving and releasing any rights I may have under ADEA, that this Release and Waiver is knowing and voluntary, and that the consideration given for this Release and Waiver is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled as an executive of the Company.  I further acknowledge that I have been advised, as required by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, that:  (a) the release and waiver granted herein does not relate to claims under the ADEA which may arise after this Release and Waiver is executed; (b) I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release and Waiver (although I may choose voluntarily not to do so); and (c) I have twenty-one (21) days from the date of termination of my employment with the Company in which to consider this Release and Waiver (although I may choose voluntarily to execute this Release and Waiver earlier); (d) I have seven (7) days following the execution of this Release and Waiver to revoke

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my consent to this Release and Waiver; and (e) this Release and Waiver shall not be effective until the seven (7) day revocation period has expired.

I acknowledge that I have the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release and Waiver (although I may choose voluntarily not to do so); and (c) I have five (5) days from the date of termination of my employment with the Company in which to consider this Release and Waiver (although I may choose voluntarily to execute this Release and Waiver earlier).

I acknowledge my continuing obligations under my Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement, a copy of which is attached to the Agreement as Exhibit B.  Pursuant to the Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement I understand that among other things, I must not use or disclose any confidential or proprietary information of the Company and I must immediately return all Company property and documents (including all embodiments of proprietary information) and all copies thereof in my possession or control.  I understand and agree that my right to the severance pay I am receiving in exchange for my agreement to the terms of this Release and Waiver is contingent upon my continued compliance with my Proprietary Information & Inventions Agreement.

This Release and Waiver, including Exhibit B to the Agreement, constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between the Company and me with regard to the subject matter hereof.  I am not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated herein.  This Release and Waiver may only be modified by a writing signed by both me and a duly authorized officer of the Company.

Date:

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Sharon Wicker

 

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EXHIBIT B

SENOMYX, INC.

EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

In consideration of my employment or continued employment by SENOMYX, INC. (the “ Company ”), and the compensation now and hereafter paid to me, I hereby agree as follows:

1.              NONDISCLOSURE

1.1             Recognition of Company’s Rights; Nondisclosure.   At all times during my employment and thereafter, I will hold in strictest confidence and will not disclose, use, lecture upon or publish any of the Company’s Proprietary Information (defined below), except as such disclosure, use or publication may be required in connection with my work for the Company, or unless an officer of the Company expressly authorizes such in writing.  I will obtain Company’s written approval before publishing or submitting for publication any material (written, verbal, or otherwise) that relates to my work at Company and/or incorporates any Proprietary Information.  I hereby assign to the Company any rights I may have or acquire in such Proprietary Information and recognize that all Proprietary Information shall be the sole property of the Company and its assigns.

1.2             Proprietary Information.  The term “ Proprietary Information ” shall mean any and all confidential and/or proprietary knowledge, data or information of the Company.  By way of illustration but not limitation, “ Proprietary Information ” includes (a) trade secrets, inventions, mask works, ideas, processes, formulas, source and object codes, data, programs, other works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs and techniques (hereinafter collectively referred to as “ Inventions ”); and (b) information regarding plans for research, development, new products, marketing and selling, business plans, budgets and unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices and costs, suppliers and customers; and (c) information regarding the skills and compensation of other employees of the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood that, at all such times, I am free to use information which is generally known in the trade or industry, which is not gained as result of a breach of this Agreement, and my own, skill, knowledge, know-how and experience to whatever extent and in whichever way I wish.

1.3             Third Party Information.   I understand, in addition, that the Company has received and in the future will receive from third parties confidential or proprietary information (“ Third Party Information ”) subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes.  During the term of my employment and thereafter, I will hold Third Party Information in the strictest confidence and will not disclose to anyone (other than Company personnel who need to know such information in connection with their work for the Company) or use, except in connection with my work for the Company, Third Party Information unless expressly authorized by an officer of the Company in writing.

1.4     No Improper Use of Information of Prior Employers and Others.   During my employment by the Company I will not improperly use or disclose any confidential information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employer or any other person to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality, and I will not bring onto the premises of the Company any unpublished documents or any property belonging to any former employer or any other person to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality unless consented to in writing by that former employer or person.  I will use in the performance of my duties only information which is generally known and used by persons with training and experience comparable to my own, which is common knowledge in the industry or otherwise legally in the public domain, or which is otherwise provided or developed by the Company.

2.              ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS.

2.1             Proprietary Rights.   The term “ Proprietary Rights ” shall mean all trade secret, patent, copyright, mask work and other intellectual property rights throughout the world.

2.2             Prior Inventions.   Inventions, if any, patented or unpatented, which I made prior to the commencement of my employment with the Company are excluded from the scope of this Agreement.  To

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preclude any possible uncertainty, I have set forth on Exhibit B (Previous Inventions) attached hereto a complete list of all Inventions that I have, alone or jointly with others, conceived, developed or reduced to practice or caused to be conceived, developed or reduced to practice prior to the commencement of my employment with the Company, that I consider to be my property or the property of third parties and that I wish to have excluded from the scope of this Agreement (collectively referred to as “ Prior Inventions ”).  If disclosure of any such Prior Invention would cause me to violate any prior confidentiality agreement, I understand that I am not to list such Prior Inventions in Exhibit B but am only to disclose a cursory name for each such invention, a listing of the party(ies) to whom it belongs and the fact that full disclosure as to such inventions has not been made for that reason. A space is provided on Exhibit B for such purpose.  If no such disclosure is attached, I represent that there are no Prior Inventions.  If, in the course of my employment with the Company, I incorporate a Prior Invention into a Company product, process or machine, the Company is hereby granted and shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license (with rights to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicensees) to make, have made, modify, use and sell such Prior Invention.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, I agree that I will not incorporate, or permit to be incorporated, Prior Inventions in any Company Inventions without the Company’s prior written consent.

2.3             Assignment of Inventions.   Subject to Sections 2.4, and 2.6, I hereby assign and agree to assign in the future (when any such Inventions or Proprietary Rights are first reduced to practice or first fixed in a tangible medium, as applicable) to the Company all my right, title and interest in and to any and all Inventions (and all Proprietary Rights with respect thereto) whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, made or conceived or reduced to practice or learned by me, either alone or jointly with others, during the period of my employment with the Company.  Inventions assigned to the Company, or to a third party as directed by the Company pursuant to this Section 2, are hereinafter referred to as “ Company Inventions .”

2.4             Nonassignable Inventions.   This Agreement does not apply to an Invention which qualifies fully as a nonassignable Invention under Section 2870 of the California Labor Code (hereinafter “ Section 2870 ”).  I have reviewed the notification on Exhibit A (Limited Exclusion Notification) and agree that my signature acknowledges receipt of the notification.

2.5             Obligation to Keep Company Informed.   During the period of my employment and for six (6) months after termination of my employment with the Company, I will promptly disclose to the Company fully and in writing all Inventions authored, conceived or reduced to practice by me, either alone or jointly with others.  In addition, I will promptly disclose to the Company all patent applications filed by me or on my behalf within a year after termination of employment.  At the time of each such disclosure, I will advise the Company in writing of any Inventions that I believe fully qualify for protection under Section 2870; and I will at that time provide to the Company in writing all evidence necessary to substantiate that belief.  The Company will keep in confidence and will not use for any purpose or disclose to third parties without my consent any confidential information disclosed in writing to the Company pursuant to this Agreement relating to Inventions that qualify fully for protection under the provisions of Section 2870.  I will preserve the confidentiality of any Invention that does not fully qualify for protection under Section 2870.

2.6             Government or Third Party.   I also agree to assign all my right, title and interest in and to any particular Company Invention to a third party, including without limitation the United States, as directed by the Company.

2.7             Works for Hire.   I acknowledge that all original works of authorship which are made by me (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of my employment and which are protectable by copyright are “works made for hire,” pursuant to United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C., Section 101).

2.8             Enforcement of Proprietary Rights.   I will assist the Company in every proper way to obtain, and from time to time enforce, United States and foreign Proprietary Rights relating to Company Inventions in any and all countries.  To that end I will execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof.  In addition, I will execute, verify and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designee.  My obligation to assist the Company with respect to Proprietary Rights relating to such Company Inventions in any and

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all countries shall continue beyond the termination of my employment, but the Company shall compensate me at a reasonable rate after my termination for the time actually spent by me at the Company’s request on such assistance.

In the event the Company is unable for any reason, after reasonable effort, to secure my signature on any document needed in connection with the actions specified in the preceding paragraph, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney in fact, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to act for and in my behalf to execute, verify and file any such documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of the preceding paragraph with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me.  I hereby waive and quitclaim to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, which I now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company.

3.              RECORDS.  I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current records (in the form of notes, sketches, drawings and in any other form that may be required by the Company) of all Proprietary Information developed by me and all Inventions made by me during the period of my employment at the Company, which records shall be available to and remain the sole property of the Company at all times.

4.              ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES.   I agree that during the period of my employment by the Company I will not, without the Company’s express written consent, engage in any employment or business activity which is competitive with, or would otherwise conflict with, my employment by the Company.  I agree further that for the period of my employment by the Company and for one (l) year after the date of termination of my employment by the Company I will not induce any employee of the Company to leave the employ of the Company.

5.              NO CONFLICTING OBLIGATION.   I represent that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an employee of the Company does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence information acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment by the Company.  I have not entered into, and I agree I will not enter into, any agreement either written or oral in conflict herewith.

6.              RETURN OF COMPANY DOCUMENTS.   When I leave the employ of the Company, I will deliver to the Company any and all drawings, notes, memoranda, specifications, devices, formulas, and documents, together with all copies thereof, and any other material containing or disclosing any Company Inventions, Third Party Information or Proprietary Information of the Company.  I further agree that any property situated on the Company’s premises and owned by the Company, including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets or other work areas, is subject to inspection by Company personnel at any time with or without notice.  Prior to leaving, I will cooperate with the Company in completing and signing the Company’s termination statement.

7.              LEGAL AND EQUITABLE REMEDIES.   Because my services are personal and unique and because I may have access to and become acquainted with the Proprietary Information of the Company, the Company shall have the right to enforce this Agreement and any of its provisions by injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief, without bond and without prejudice to any other rights and remedies that the Company may have for a breach of this Agreement.

8.              NOTICES.   Any notices required or permitted hereunder shall be given to the appropriate party at the address specified below or at SUCH other address as the party shall specify in writing.  Such notice shall be deemed given upon personal delivery to the appropriate address or if sent by certified or registered mail, three (3) days after the date of mailing.

9.              NOTIFICATION OF NEW EMPLOYER.   In the event that I leave the employ of the Company, I hereby consent to the notification of my new employer of my rights and obligations under this Agreement.

10.           GENERAL PROVISIONS.

10.1          Governing Law; Consent to Personal Jurisdiction.   This Agreement will be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of California, as such laws are applied to agreements entered into and to be performed entirely within California between California residents.  I hereby expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in San Diego County, California for any lawsuit filed there against me by Company arising from or related to this Agreement.

10.2          Severability.   In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or

5




unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.  If moreover, any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall be construed by limiting and reducing it, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then appear.

10.3          Successors and Assigns.   This Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives and will be for the benefit of the Company, its successors, and its assigns.

10.4          Survival.   The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of my employment and the assignment of this Agreement by the Company to any successor in interest or other assignee.

10.5          Employment.   I agree and understand that nothing in this Agreement shall confer any right with respect to continuation of employment by the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with my right or the Company’s right to terminate my employment at any time, with or without cause.

10.6          Waiver.   No waiver by the Company of any breach of this Agreement shall be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach.  No waiver by the Company of any right under this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of any other right.  The Company shall not be required to give notice to enforce strict adherence to all terms of this Agreement.

10.7          Entire Agreement.   The obligations pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of this Agreement shall apply to any time during which I was previously employed, or am in the future employed, by the Company as a consultant if no other agreement governs nondisclosure and assignment of inventions during such period.  This Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and merges all prior discussions between us.  No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, will be effective unless in writing and signed by the party to be charged.  Any subsequent change or changes in my duties, salary or compensation will not affect the validity or scope of this Agreement.

This Agreement shall be effective as of the first day of my employment with the Company, namely:                 , 20   .

I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS.  I HAVE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT EXHIBIT B TO THIS AGREEMENT.

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

(Signature)

 

 

 

(Printed Name)

 

 

Accepted and Agreed To:

 

Senomyx, Inc.

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

(Address)

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

LIMITED EXCLUSION NOTIFICATION

THIS IS TO NOTIFY you in accordance with Section 2872 of the California Labor Code that the foregoing Agreement between you and the Company does not require you to assign or offer to assign to the Company any invention that you developed entirely on your own time without using the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information except for those inventions that either:

1.                                                  Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the Company’s business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company;

2.                 Result from any work performed by you for the Company.

To the extent a provision in the foregoing Agreement purports to require you to assign an invention otherwise excluded from the preceding paragraph, the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.

This limited exclusion does not apply to any patent or invention covered by a contract between the Company and the United States or any of its agencies requiring full title to such patent or invention to be in the United States.

I ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT of a copy of this notification.

 

By:

 

 

 

 

( Printed Name of Employee )

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Witnessed by :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

( Printed Name of Representative )

 

 

 

1




EXHIBIT B

TO:

 

Senomyx, Inc.

 

 

 

FROM:

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

 

Previous Inventions

 

1 .              Except as listed in Section 2 below, the following is a complete list of all inventions or improvements relevant to the subject matter of my employment by SENOMYX, INC. (the “ Company ”) that have been made or conceived or first reduced to practice by me alone or jointly with others prior to my engagement by the Company:

o

No inventions or improvements.

 

 

o

See below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o         Additional sheets attached.

 

2 .              Due to a prior confidentiality agreement, I cannot complete the disclosure under Section 1 above with respect to inventions or improvements generally listed below, the proprietary rights and duty of confidentiality with respect to which I owe to the following party(ies):

Invention or Improvement

 

Party(ies)

 

Relationship

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

Additional sheets attached.

 

 

 

 

 

2



EXHIBIT 10.41

CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

THIS CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT (the “Agreement” ) is made as of October 10, 2006 between SENOMYX, INC. , a Delaware corporation (the “Company” ), and Sharon Wicker ( “Employee” ).

WHEREAS , in order to provide an incentive for Employee to participate actively in the affairs and maximize the value of the Company, the Company is willing to provide Employee with certain benefits on the terms and conditions set forth below.

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Employee and the Company (each, a “Party,” and collectively, the “Parties” ) agree as follows:

1.              BENEFITS IN THE EVENT OF A CHANGE IN CONTROL .  If (i) a Change in Control (defined below) occurs and (ii) during the period beginning one (1) month prior to the effective date of such Change in Control and ending eighteen (18) months after the effective date of such Change in Control, Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated either (A) by the Company without Cause (defined below) (not including death or Disability (as defined below)) or (B) by Employee for Good Reason (defined below) (not including death or Disability), then, without further action by Employee or the Company, Employee shall be entitled to the benefits set forth below:

(a)            The vesting applicable to all options to purchase shares of the Company’s capital stock ( “Options” ) and all shares of the Company’s capital stock which are subject to the Company’s right to repurchase such shares ( “Restricted Stock” ) held by Employee as of the effective date of such termination shall be accelerated in full such that Employee shall have the right to exercise in accordance with the terms thereof all or any portion of such Options (notwithstanding any vesting schedule set forth in such Options) and any such Company repurchase rights with respect to such Restricted Stock shall lapse in full; and

(b)            Employee shall be entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of Employee’s Annual Pay (as defined below), payable on the Effective Date specified in the Release (as defined below) delivered by Employee to the Company following such Change in Control.  The foregoing payments shall be subject to standard deductions and withholdings.

(c)            Assuming the Employee timely and accurately elects to continue her health insurance benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“ COBRA ”), the Company shall reimburse the Employee for the COBRA expenses she pays on behalf of himself and her family until the earliest of (i) the end of the 12 month period following Employee’s termination, (ii) the expiration of the Employee’s continuation coverage under COBRA and any applicable state COBRA-like statute that provides mandated continuation coverage or (iii) the date the Employee becomes eligible for health insurance benefits of a subsequent employer.




2.              Release.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee shall not receive any of the severance payments or benefits set forth under Section 1, unless upon Employee’s termination of employment the Employee furnishes the Company with an effective waiver and release of claims (the “Release” ) in a form acceptable to the Company and substantially as attached hereto as Exhibit A .   If a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board” ) determines in good faith that the Employee has breached any provision of her Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement with the Company or any provision of this Agreement, the Employment Agreement (as defined below) or the Release, the Company shall be excused from the obligation to provide any severance payment under Section 1 and the Company shall be entitled to full recovery of any severance payment already provided to the Employee under Section 1.

3.              DEFINITIONS.  For purposes of this Agreement, capitalized terms used herein shall have the following meanings:

(a)            “Annual Pay” shall mean the sum of the Employee’s (i) base salary in effect on the date of termination and (ii) the last annual bonus paid to the Employee by the Company prior to the date of termination.

(b)            “Cause” means the occurrence of any of the following:  (i) the Employee’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) the Employee’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) the Employee’s intentional and material violation of any contract or agreement between the Employee and the Company or any statutory duty owed to the Company; (iv) the Employee’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets or (v) the Employee’s gross misconduct.  The determination that a termination is for Cause shall be made by the Company in its discretion.  Any determination by the Company that the employment of the Employee was terminated by reason of dismissal without Cause for the purposes of determining benefits under this Agreement shall have no impact upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Employee for any other purpose.

(c)            “Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i)             any Exchange Act Person (as defined in the Company’s Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan” )) becomes the owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person from the Company in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities or (B) solely because the level of Ownership (as defined in the Plan) held by any Exchange Act Person (the “ Subject Person ”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of

2




this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

(ii)            there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity (as defined in the Plan) in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

(iii)          the stockholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall otherwise occur;

(iv)           there is consummated a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined in the Plan), other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition; or

(v)             individuals who, on the date of this Agreement, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board” ) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.

(d)            “Disability” shall mean Employee’s failure or inability, for reasons of health, to perform Employee’s usual and customary duties on behalf of the Company in the usual and customary manner for a total of more than ninety (90) consecutive business days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (days during which the Company is closed due to a recognized holiday)).

(e)            “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions:  (i) (A) a change in the Employee’s status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which represents an adverse change from the Employee’s status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a

3




Change in Control or at any time thereafter; (B) the assignment to the Employee of any duties or responsibilities which are inconsistent with the Employee’s status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect at any time within ninety (90) days preceding the date of a Change in Control or at any time thereafter; or (C) any removal of the Employee from or failure to reappoint or reelect the Employee to any of such offices or positions (unless such removal or failure to reappoint or reelect is (1) in connection with the termination of the Employee’s employment for Cause, (2) as a result of the Employee’s Disability or death, or (3) by the Employee other than as a result of termination for Good Reason); (ii) a reduction in the Employee’s annual base compensation; or (iii) the Company’s requiring the Employee to relocate to any place outside a fifty (50) mile radius of the Employee’s current work site, excluding in any event reasonably required travel on the business of the Company or its affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Good Reason be satisfied solely because the Employee retains the same position held prior to the Change in Control but in a distinct legal entity or business unit of a larger entity following the Change in Control.

4.              GOLDEN PARACHUTE TAXES.   If any payment or benefit Employee would receive pursuant to a Change in Control from the Company or otherwise ( “Payments” ) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code” ), and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax” ), then such Payments shall be equal to the Reduced Amount.  The “Reduced Amount” shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in Employee’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction shall occur in the following order unless Employee elects in writing a different order ( provided, however, that such election shall be subject to Company approval if made on or after the date on which the event that triggers the Payment occurs):  reduction of cash payments; cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock awards; reduction of employee benefits.  In the event that acceleration of vesting of stock award compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of Employee’s stock awards unless Employee elects in writing a different order for cancellation.

The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall perform the foregoing calculations.  If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder.  The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder.

The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Company and Employee within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Employee’s right to a Payment is

4




triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Employee) or such other time as requested by the Company or Employee.  If the accounting firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish the Company and Employee with an opinion reasonably acceptable to Employee that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such Payment.  Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Employee.

5.              APPLICATION OF CODE SECTION 409A .   If the Company determines that any of the Payments fail to satisfy the distribution requirement of Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Code as a result of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, the Payments shall be accelerated to the minimum extent necessary so that such Payments are not subject to the provisions of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code (It is the intention of the preceding sentence to apply the short-term deferral provisions of Section 409A of the Code, and the regulations and other guidance thereunder, to the Payments, and the payment schedule as revised after the application of the preceding sentence shall be referred to as the Revised Payment Schedule” ).  However, if there is no Revised Payment Schedule that would avoid the application of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, the payment of such benefits shall not be paid pursuant to a Revised Payment Schedule and instead shall be delayed to the minimum extent necessary so that such benefits are not subject to the provisions of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code.  The Board may attach conditions to or adjust the amounts paid pursuant to this Section 5 to preserve, as closely as possible, the economic consequences that would have applied in the absence of this Section 5; provided, however, that no such condition or adjustment shall result in the payments being subject to Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code.

6.              GENERAL PROVISIONS.

(a)            This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California (without regard to principles of conflict of laws).

(b)            Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given by either the Company or Employee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally or deposited in the U.S. mail, First Class with postage prepaid, and addressed to the parties at such addresses as have been previously furnished by the Parties or such other address as a Party may request by notifying the other in writing.

(c)            The rights and obligations of Employee under this Agreement may not be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of the Company.

(d)            This Agreement is meant to supplement the terms of stock option agreement(s) or other agreement(s) pursuant to which Employee acquired the Options, as well as any written employment agreement between the Company and Employee, including Employee’s employment agreement with the Company dated March 13, 2006 (the “Employment Agreement” ) .  To the extent that the terms and conditions of this Agreement regarding payment of severance benefits are inconsistent with those found in the Employment Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be controlling.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that if Employee is terminated without “cause” and the termination is not

5




during the period beginning one (1) month prior to the effective date of a Change in Control and ending eighteen (18) months after the effective date of a Change in Control, the terms of the Employment Agreement (including the definition of cause set forth therein) shall govern the payment of any severance benefits to Employee in connection with such termination.

(e)            Any Party’s failure to enforce any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision or provisions, nor prevent any Party from thereafter enforcing each and every other provision of this Agreement.  The rights granted the Parties herein are cumulative and shall not constitute a waiver of any Party’s right to assert all other legal remedies available to it under the circumstances.

(f)             Employee agrees upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes or intent of this Agreement.

(g)            In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

(h)            This Agreement, in whole or in part, may be modified, waived or amended upon the written consent of the Company and Employee.

(i)             This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one instrument.

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

6




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have set their hand as of the date first above written.

Employee

Senomyx, Inc.

 

 

 

 

/s/Sharon Wicker

 

By:

     /s/Kent Snyder

 

 

 

Sharon Wicker

Name:

  Kent Snyder

 

 

 

 

Title:

    President and CEO

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT]




EXHIBIT A

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS

In consideration of the payments and other benefits set forth in the Change in Control Agreement dated October 10, 2006, between Senomyx, Inc. (the “Company” ) and Sharon Wicker ( “Employee” ), to which this form is attached, Employee hereby furnishes the Company with the following release and waiver.

Employee hereby releases, and forever discharges the Company, its officers, directors, agents, employees, stockholders, successors, assigns and affiliates, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity, or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising at any time prior to and including Employee’s employment termination date with respect to any claims relating to Employee’s employment and the termination of Employee’s employment, including but not limited to, claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law relating to employment, including, but not limited to, discrimination claims, claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended ( “ADEA” ), the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act or claims for wrongful termination, breach of the covenant of good faith, contract claims, tort claims, and wage or benefit claims, including but not limited to, claims for salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, vacation pay, fringe benefits, severance pay or any form of compensation.  Notwithstanding the above, this Release and Waiver does not release any claims Employee may have (i) for indemnification pursuant to and in accordance with the applicable statutes and the applicable terms of the charters, articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or under any indemnification agreements or insurance coverage, (ii) in vested pension and retirement benefits under the terms of qualified employee pension benefit plans, (iii) for accrued benefits under the terms of applicable employment agreements or employee benefit plans, and (iv) for any claims under any state Workers’ Compensation laws and any state unemployment benefits laws.

Employee also acknowledges that Employee has read and understood Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows:  “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected her settlement with the debtor.”  Employee hereby expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to any claims Employee may have against the Company.

Employee acknowledges that, among other rights, Employee is waiving and releasing any rights Employee may have under ADEA, that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary, and that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled as an employee of the Company.  Employee further acknowledges that Employee has been advised, as required by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, that:  (a) the waiver and release granted herein does not relate to claims which may arise after this release and waiver is executed; (b) Employee has the right to consult with an attorney prior to executing this release and waiver (although Employee may choose voluntarily not to do so); and (c) if on the date of execution of this release and waiver Employee is age 40 or




older, then (I) Employee has twenty-one (21) days from the date Employee receives this release and waiver, in which to consider this release and waiver (although Employee may choose voluntarily to execute this release and waiver earlier); and (II) Employee has seven (7) days following the execution of this release and waiver to revoke Employee’s consent to this release and waiver.  This release and waiver shall be effective as of the date of execution hereof; provided that if on the date of execution of this release and waiver Employee is age 40 or older, then this release and waiver shall not be effective until the foregoing seven (7) day revocation period has expired.  The date as of which this release and waiver is effective as aforesaid shall be deemed the “Effective Date” hereof.

Date:

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Sharon Wicker

 

 



EXHIBIT 10.42

STATEMENT REGARDING EXTENSION OF COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND LICENSE

AGREEMENT DATED OCTOBER 26, 2004 BETWEEN SENOMYX, INC. AND NESTEC, LTD.

At a steering committee meeting on January 9, 2007, the Company and Nestlé agreed to amend the agreement regarding the discovery and commercialization of novel flavor ingredients in the coffee and coffee whitener fields to extend the dates provided in Appendix A to April 25, 2010 (end date for Collaborative Period) and April 26, 2007 (Go/No-Go Decision Date).

 



Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-134578, 333-127771, 333-116893 and Form S-3 Nos. 333-129444, 333-128865) of Senomyx, Inc. of our reports dated February 20, 2007 with respect to the financial statements of Senomyx, Inc., management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Senomyx, Inc., included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2006.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

 

 

San Diego, California

February 20, 2007



Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Kent Snyder, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Senomyx, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 23, 2007

 

/S/ KENT SNYDER

 

 

 

Kent Snyder

 

 

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 



Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, John Poyhonen, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Senomyx, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 23, 2007

 

/S/ JOHN POYHONEN

 

 

 

John Poyhonen

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and

 

 

 

Chief Financial and Business Officer

 

 



Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to the requirement set forth in Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. §1350), Kent Snyder, Chief Executive Officer of Senomyx, Inc. (the “Company”), and John Poyhonen, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies that, to the best of his or her knowledge:

1.       The Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006, to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1 (the “Annual Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and

2.       The information contained in the annual report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

In Witness Whereof, the undersigned have set their hands hereto as of the 23rd day of February, 2007.

 

 

 

/S/ KENT SNYDER

 

 

/S/ JOHN POYHONEN

 

 

 

 

KENT SNYDER

 

JOHN POYHONEN

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial and

 

 

Business Officer

 

 

 

 

This certification accompanies the Form 10-K to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Senomyx, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-K), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.