UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  June 26 , 2015

 

United Therapeutics Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

000-26301

 

52-1984749

(State or Other

 

(Commission

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Jurisdiction of

 

File Number)

 

Identification Number)

Incorporation)

 

 

 

 

 

1040 Spring Street

 

 

Silver Spring, MD

 

20910

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (301) 608-9292

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o                       Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o                       Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o                       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o                       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

Appointment of Dean Judy D. Olian to the Board of Directors

 

On June 26, 2015, the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of United Therapeutics Corporation (the “ Company ”), acting upon the recommendation of its Nominating and Governance Committee, appointed Dean Judy D. Olian, Ph.D. of the UCLA Anderson School of Management to serve as a member of the Board.  Dean Olian will serve as a Class II director, and her term will expire at the Company’s 2016 annual meeting of shareholders.  Committee assignments for Dean Olian have not yet been determined.  With the addition of Dean Olian, the Board now comprises 11 directors, of which eight are independent.

 

Olian is the dean of the UCLA Anderson School of Management and the John E. Anderson Chair in Management.  Her research and business expertise centers on aligning organizational strategies and design with human resource systems and incentives, and managing top management teams.  She began her UCLA appointment in 2006 after serving as dean and professor of management at the Smeal College of Business Administration at the Pennsylvania State University.  Earlier, she served in various faculty and executive roles at the University of Maryland and its Robert H. Smith School of Business.  Dean Olian serves or has been a member of various advisory boards, including Beijing University’s Guanghua School of Business, the U.S. Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, Catalyst, the leading global think tank for women in business, and is Chairman of the Loeb Awards for Business Journalism.  Born and raised in Australia, Dean Olian received her B.S. in Psychology from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial Relations from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  She was the Chairman of AACSB International, the premier thought leadership and accreditation organization for leading global business schools, and also serves on the board of directors of Ares Management, L.P., a publicly traded global alternative asset management firm, and Westwood Technology Transfer Inc., a not-for-profit organization focused on protecting and optimizing the discoveries and inventions developed at UCLA.

 

In connection with Dean Olian’s appointment to the Board, the Company awarded her 35,000 stock options under the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (discussed further below), representing an initial grant of 20,000 options and a grant of 15,000 options for the 2015-2016 director service year.  The options were granted on June 26, 2015, with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on that date. In addition, Dean Olian will be compensated for her services as described in the discussion of director compensation in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015.  The Company also entered into an indemnification agreement with Dean Olian on the Company’s standard form for directors and executive officers, effective June 26, 2015.

 

A copy of the press release announcing Dean Olian’s appointment is attached hereto as Exhibit   99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

2015 Stock Incentive Plan

 

As described at Item 5.07 below, on June 26, 2015, at the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Company’s shareholders approved the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”). The Plan had previously been approved by the Board upon the recommendation of its Compensation Committee.  The effective date of the Plan is April 29, 2015.

 

The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board, which is comprised of independent directors. The purpose of the Plan is to stimulate the efforts of non-employee directors, officers, employees and other service providers, in each case who are selected to be participants in the Plan, by heightening the desire of such persons to continue working toward and contributing to the success and progress of our company. The Plan allows grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock awards, any of which may be performance-based, and for incentive bonuses.

 

Additional details of the Plan are included in the Company’s 2015 Proxy Statement, under the heading Proposal No. 3 — Approval of the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan .  The foregoing summary is

 

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qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Following approval of the Plan by stockholders, the Compensation Committee of the Board adopted the standard forms of Grant Notice and Standard Terms and Conditions applicable to non-qualified stock options awarded under the Plan.  Separate versions of the Grant Notice and Standard Terms and Conditions were adopted for (a) non-employee members of the Board; (b) certain executive officers; and (c) all other employees, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4, respectively and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03.  Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

On June 26, 2015, the Board adopted the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws (the “ Amended By-laws ”). The Amended By-laws (1) change the vote standard in Section 2.9 of the By-laws for the election of directors from a plurality to a majority of votes cast in uncontested elections, and (2) make certain clarifications, updates and other non-substantive changes to the advance notice provisions of Section 2.4 of the By-laws. The amendment relating to the election of directors in uncontested elections states that a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director. In contested elections where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the vote standard will continue to be a plurality of votes cast. The Amended By-laws became effective upon adoption by the Board.

 

The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amended By-laws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.07.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

On June 26, 2015, the Company held its 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  The Company’s shareholders considered four matters, each of which is described in more detail in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015. The final voting results for the meeting are as follows:

 

1.               Election of Class I directors, each to serve a term of three years:

 

Nominee

 

Votes For

 

Votes Withheld

 

Broker
Non-Votes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katherine Klein

 

40,464,041

 

870,219

 

1,890,856

 

Ray Kurzweil

 

36,450,418

 

4,883,842

 

1,890,856

 

Martine Rothblatt

 

39,286,016

 

2,048,244

 

1,890,856

 

Louis Sullivan

 

39,590,970

 

1,743,290

 

1,890,856

 

 

2.               An advisory resolution to approve executive compensation:

 

Votes for:

 

20,560,995

 

 

 

 

 

Votes against:

 

20,489,865

 

 

 

 

 

Abstentions:

 

283,400

 

 

 

 

 

Broker non-votes:

 

1,890,856

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.               Proposal to approve the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan:

 

Votes for:

 

35,985,825

 

 

 

 

 

Votes against:

 

5,055,223

 

 

 

 

 

Abstentions:

 

293,212

 

 

 

 

 

Broker non-votes:

 

1,890,856

 

 

 

 

 

 

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4.               Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2015:

 

Votes for:

 

41,918,873

 

 

 

 

 

Votes against:

 

1,025,868

 

 

 

 

 

Abstentions:

 

280,375

 

 

 

 

 

Broker non-votes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 8.01 Other Events

 

In connection with the adoption of the Amended By-laws described in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, the Board adopted amendments to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “ Guidelines ”) to provide that any director who is not elected by a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election is expected to tender his or her resignation to the Company’s Nominating and Governance Committee (the “ Committee ”). Under the Guidelines, in the event that a director nominee fails to receive the requisite vote, the Committee will make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the resignation offer of such director, or whether other action should be taken. The Board will act on the Committee’s recommendation within 90 days following certification of the election results. In determining whether to recommend that the Board accept any resignation offer, the Committee will be entitled to consider all factors that the Committee’s members believe are relevant. In deciding whether to accept the resignation offer, the Board will consider the factors considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee and any additional information and factors that the Board believes to be relevant. If the Board accepts a director’s resignation offer pursuant to this process, the Committee will recommend to the Board, and the Board will thereafter determine, whether to fill such vacancy or reduce the size of the Board. Any director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this provision will not participate in the proceedings of either the Committee or the Board with respect to his or her own resignation offer. The updated Guidelines, including these and certain other changes, are available on the Company’s website at http://ir.unither.com/corporate-governance.cfm .

 

Item 9.01.  Exhibits

 

(d)  Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Exhibit

 

 

 

3.1

 

Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws of United Therapeutics Corporation

 

 

 

10.1

 

United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan

 

 

 

10.2

 

Form of Grant Notice and Standard Terms and Conditions for Non-Qualified Stock Options Granted to Non-Employee Directors under the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan

 

 

 

10.3

 

Form of Grant Notice and Standard Terms and Conditions for Non-Qualified Stock Options Granted to Certain Executives under the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan

 

 

 

10.4

 

Form of Grant Notice and Standard Terms and Conditions for Non-Qualified Stock Options Granted to Employees under the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release dated June 29, 2015

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

Dated: June 29, 2015

By:

/s/ Paul A. Mahon

 

Name:

Paul A. Mahon

 

Title:

General Counsel

 

 

 

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Exhibit 3.1

 

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

BY-LAWS OF

UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION

 


 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

Section 1.1.   Registered Office .   The registered office of United Therapeutics Corporation (the “Corporation”) shall be in the State of Delaware at such location and with such registered agent in charge thereof as may be established by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

Section 1.2.   Other Offices .   The Corporation may also have offices, and keep the books and records of the Corporation, except as may be required by law, at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 2.1.   Annual Meetings .   An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and to transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting at such date, time and place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 2.2.   Special Meetings .   A special meeting of the stockholders may be called only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors or by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President. Only such business shall be conducted, and only such proposals shall be acted upon, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting as hereinafter provided.

 

Section 2.3.   Notice of Meetings .   Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, annual or special, a written notice of the meeting, specifying the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, shall be given to such stockholder or stockholders which shall state the place, if any, the date and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by law, the notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.

 

Section 2.4 .  Notice of Stockholder Business at Meetings .   At any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, only such business shall be conducted, and only such proposals shall be acted upon, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting as hereinafter provided. For a proposal to be properly brought before a meeting, each item of business must either (a) be specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or the persons calling the meeting as herein provided, (b) be otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) be otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder (who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice is provided) as hereinafter provided. For a proposal to be properly brought before a meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation (if delivered by electronic mail or facsimile, the stockholders notice shall be directed to the Secretary at the electronic mail address or facsimile number, as the case may be, specified in the Corporation’s most recent proxy statement), in the case of an annual meeting, not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days or delayed (other than as the result of adjournment) by more than thirty (30) days from the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder must be delivered not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth (60 th ) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10 th ) day following

 



 

the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholders notice as described above.  The provisions of this Section 2.4 shall also govern what constitutes timely notice for purposes of Rule 14a-4(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting (a) a brief description of the proposal desired to be brought before the meeting (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these By-laws, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (b) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (c) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (d) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business, (e) as to the stockholder giving the notice or, if the notice is given on behalf of a beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made, as to such beneficial owner, and if such stockholder or beneficial owner is an entity, as to each director, executive, managing member or control person of such entity (any such individual or control person, a “control person”), (i) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned (as defined below) by such stockholder or beneficial owner and by any control person as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five (5) business days after the record date for such meeting of the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner and by any control person as of the record date for the meeting, (ii) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the proposal between or among such stockholder, beneficial owner or control person and any other person, including without limitation any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable) and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five (5) business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting, and (iii) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including without limitation any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder, beneficial owner or control person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit from changes in the share price of any class of the Corporation’s capital stock, or maintain, increase or decrease the voting power of the stockholder, beneficial owner or control person with respect to securities of the Corporation, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five (5) business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting, and (f) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (i) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal and/or (ii) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal. For purposes of clause (e) of this paragraph, shares shall be treated as “beneficially owned” by a person if the person beneficially owns such shares, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulations 13D and 13G thereunder or has or shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing):  (a) the right to acquire such shares (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of a condition or both), (b) the right to vote such shares, alone or in concert with others and/or (c) investment power with respect to such shares, including the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such shares.

 

Notwithstanding anything in these By-laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4. The Board of Directors may reject any stockholder proposal submitted for consideration at a meeting of stockholders which is not made in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.4 or which is not a proper subject for stockholder action in accordance with provisions of applicable law. Alternatively, if the Board of Directors fails to consider the validity of any such stockholder proposal, the presiding officer of the meeting of stockholders may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the persons attending the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.4, and he or she shall further declare that any such business not properly brought before such meeting shall not be transacted. The Board of Directors or, as the case may be, the

 

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presiding officer of the meeting shall have absolute authority to decide questions of compliance with the foregoing procedures and the Board of Directors or, as the case may be, the presiding officer’s ruling thereon shall be final and conclusive. This provision shall not prevent the consideration and approval or disapproval at the annual meeting of stockholders of reports of officers, directors and committees of the Board of Directors, but, in connection with such reports, no new business shall be acted upon at such meeting unless stated, filed and received as herein provided.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a stockholder seeking to include a proposal in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.4.  Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposal in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

Section 2.5.   Nomination of Director Candidates .   To be qualified for election as a director, persons must be nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.5 or in Section 2.14 of these By-laws. Nominations of candidates for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation may be made only by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by a stockholder (who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice is provided under this Section 2.5 or Section 2.14 of these By-laws) entitled to vote at such meeting of stockholders. All such nominations, except those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation (if delivered by electronic mail or facsimile, the stockholders notice shall be directed to the Secretary at the electronic mail address or facsimile number, as the case may be, specified in the Corporation’s most recent proxy statement). To be timely under this Section 2.5, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received by the Secretary not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, not less than ten (10) days immediately following the public announcement of such special meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days or delayed (other than the result of adjournment) by more than thirty (30) days from the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder must be delivered not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth (60th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.  Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (a) all information relating to such nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, (b) such nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, (c) the name and address of the stockholder or stockholders and the beneficial owner, if any, giving the notice as the same appears in the Corporation’s stock ledger, (d) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (e) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination, (f) as to the stockholder giving the notice or, if the notice is given on behalf of a beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, as to such beneficial owner, and if such stockholder or beneficial owner is an entity, as to each director, executive, managing member or control person of such entity (any such individual or control person, a “control person”), (i) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner and by any control person as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five (5) business days after the record date for such meeting of the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner and by any control person as of the record date for the meeting, (ii) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination between or among such stockholder, beneficial owner or control person and any other person, including without limitation any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable) and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five (5) business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting, and (iii) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including without limitation any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder, beneficial owner or control person, the effect or intent

 

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of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit from changes in the share price of any class of the Corporation’s capital stock, or maintain, increase or decrease the voting power of the stockholder, beneficial owner or control person with respect to securities of the Corporation, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five (5) business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting, and (g) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (i) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to elect the nominee and/or (ii) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such nomination. For purposes of clause (f) of this paragraph, shares shall be treated as “beneficially owned” by a person if the person beneficially owns such shares, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulations 13D and 13G thereunder or has or shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing):  (a) the right to acquire such shares (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of a condition or both), (b) the right to vote such shares, alone or in concert with others and/or (c) investment power with respect to such shares, including the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such shares.

 

At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary the information required by this Section 2.5 to be set forth in a stockholders notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee and such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such person to serve as a director of the Corporation, including information relevant to a determination as to whether such person is independent under the listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the shares of the Corporation are listed, any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing the independence of the Corporation’s directors. The Chairman of a meeting of stockholders shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at such meeting of stockholders that such nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by this Section 2.5, and he or she shall further declare that the defective nomination shall be disregarded. The Chairman of a meeting of stockholders shall have absolute authority to decide questions of compliance with the foregoing procedures and his or her ruling thereon shall be final and conclusive.

 

Section 2.6.   Adjournments .   Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time for any reason, by the Chairman of the meeting to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof, and means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed present and in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of place, if any, date, and time of the adjourned meeting and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present and in person and vote at such adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

Section 2.7.   Quorum .   At each meeting of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. For purposes of the foregoing, two or more classes or series of stock shall be considered a single class if the holders thereof are entitled to vote together as a single class at the meeting. In the absence of a quorum, the Chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided by Section 2.6 of these By-laws, without notice other than the announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. The stockholders present or represented at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

 

Section 2.8.   Organization .   Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the President, or in his or her absence by a Vice President, or in the absence of all of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation by a chairman chosen at the meeting by the holders of a majority of voting power of the stock entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy. The

 

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Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

The Board shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient.  Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting and matters which are to be voted on by ballot.

 

Section 2.9.   Voting; Proxies .   Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of stock held by him or her which has voting power upon the matter in question. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her by written proxy, which may be in the form of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission, signed by the person and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from the date of such proxy, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the stockholder’s name is placed on the proxy by the stockholder or the stockholder’s attorney-in-fact.  A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date than the original proxy with the Secretary of the Corporation. A proxy is not revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker, unless, before the vote is counted, written notice of such death or incapacity is received by the Corporation.  Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot and need not be conducted by inspectors unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall so determine. At all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, each nominee for election as a director in an uncontested election shall be elected if the number of votes cast for the nominee’s election exceeds the number of votes cast against the nominee’s election.  In all director elections other than uncontested elections, the nominees for election as a director shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.  For purposes of this Section 2.9, an “uncontested election” means any meeting of stockholders at which the number of candidates does not exceed the number of directors to be elected and with respect to which (a) no stockholder has submitted notice of an intent to nominate a candidate for election at such meeting in accordance with Section 2.5 of these By-laws, or (b) such a notice has been submitted, and on or before the fifth (5 th ) business day prior to the date that the Corporation files its definitive proxy statement relating to such meeting with the SEC (regardless of whether thereafter revised or supplemented), the notice has been (i) withdrawn in writing to Secretary of the Corporation, (ii) determined not to be a valid notice of nomination, with such determination to be made by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) pursuant to Section 2.5 of these By-laws, or if challenged in court, by a final court order, or (iii) determined by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) not to create a bona fide election contest. All other questions shall, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at the meeting, provided that (except as otherwise required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation) the Board of Directors may require a larger vote upon any election or question.

 

Section 2.10.   Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record .   In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors: (1) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which

 

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notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; (2) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

Section 2.11.   List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote .   The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, annual or special, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each such stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.  Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of stockholders entitled to vote in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to examine the list.

 

Section 2.12.   Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting .   Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required by law to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, may not be effected by consent in writing in lieu of a meeting by such stockholders.

 

Section 2.13 .   Meetings by Remote Communications .  The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 211(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).  If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication (a) participate in a meeting of stockholders and (b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that: (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder; (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

Section  2.14.   Proxy Access for Director Nominations.

 

(a)                The Corporation shall include in its proxy statement and on its form of proxy for an annual meeting of stockholders the name of, and the Additional Information (as defined below) relating to, any nominee for election to the Board of Directors who satisfies the eligibility requirements set forth in this Section 2.14 (a “Stockholder Nominee”) and who is identified in a timely and proper notice delivered under Section 2.14(g) of these By-laws (the “Stockholder Notice”) by a stockholder on behalf of one or more persons, but in no case more than twenty (20) persons, who (i) expressly elect to have such Stockholder Nominee included in the Corporation’s proxy statement, (ii) own and have owned (as defined below in Section 2.14(c)) shares representing at least three percent (3%) of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors continuously for at least three years (the “Required Shares”) as of the date of the Stockholder Notice and through the date of such annual meeting, and (iii) satisfy such additional requirements as shall be set forth in these By-laws, as amended from time to time (such stockholder or stockholders and additional persons on behalf of whom a stockholder is acting, an “Eligible Stockholder”).

 

(b)                For purposes of satisfying the foregoing ownership requirement under Section 2.14(a), (i) the outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation owned by one or more stockholders, or by the beneficial owner or owners who own outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation and on whose behalf any

 

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stockholder is acting, may be aggregated, provided that the number of stockholders and other beneficial owners whose ownership of shares is aggregated for such purpose shall not exceed twenty (20), and (ii) any two or more funds that are (1) under common management and funded primarily by a single employer or (2) a “group of investment companies,” as such term is defined in section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, shall be treated as one stockholder or owner.

 

(c)                For purposes of this Section 2.14, an Eligible Stockholder shall be deemed to “own” only those outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation as to which the stockholder possesses both (i) the full voting and investment rights pertaining to the shares and (ii) the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit and risk of loss on) such shares; provided that the number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (i) and (ii) shall not include any shares (1) sold by such stockholder or any of its affiliates in any transaction that has not been settled or closed, (2) borrowed by such stockholder or any of its affiliates for any purposes or purchased by such stockholder or any of its affiliates pursuant to an agreement to resell, or (3) subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by such stockholder or any of its affiliates, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation, in any such case which instrument or agreement has, or is intended to have, the purpose or effect of (A) reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, such stockholder’s or its affiliates’ full right to vote or direct the voting of any such shares, and/or (B) hedging, offsetting, or altering to any degree gain or loss arising from the full economic ownership of such shares by such stockholder or affiliate.  A stockholder shall “own” shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so long as the stockholder retains the right to instruct how the shares are voted with respect to the election of directors and possesses the full economic interest in the shares.  A stockholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the stockholder has delegated any voting power by means of a proxy, power of attorney, or other instrument or arrangement that is revocable at any time by the stockholder.  A stockholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in which the stockholder has loaned such shares provided that the stockholder has the power to recall such loaned shares on three (3) business days’ notice and has recalled such loaned shares as of the date of the Stockholder Notice and through the date of the annual meeting.  The terms “owned,” “owning” and other variations of the word “own” shall have correlative meanings.  Whether outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation are “owned” for these purposes shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

(d)                No stockholder or beneficial owner may be a member of more than one group of stockholders constituting an Eligible Stockholder under this Section 2.14.

 

(e)                An Eligible Stockholder (or in the case of a group, each stockholder or beneficial owner whose shares are aggregated for purposes of constituting an Eligible Stockholder) must (i) within five (5) business days after the date of the Stockholder Notice, provide one or more written statements from the record holder(s) of the Required Shares and from each intermediary through which the Required Shares are or have been held, in each case during the requisite three (3)-year holding period, verifying that, as of the date of the Stockholder Notice, the Eligible Stockholder owns, and has owned continuously for the preceding three (3) years, the Required Shares, and (ii) include in the written statements provided pursuant to Item 4 of Schedule 14N filed with the SEC a certification that it owns and has owned, as defined in Section 2.14(c) of these By-laws, the Required Shares for at least three (3) years.

 

(f)                 For purposes of this Section 2.14, the “Additional Information” that the Corporation will include in its proxy statement is (i) the information concerning the Stockholder Nominee and the Eligible Stockholder that is required to be disclosed in the Corporation’s proxy statement by the regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act; and (ii) if the Eligible Stockholder so elects, a written statement of the Eligible Stockholder, not to exceed five hundred (500) words, in support of the Stockholder Nominee, which must be provided at the same time as the Stockholder Notice for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders (the “Statement”).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.14, the Corporation may omit from its proxy statement any information or Statement that it, in good faith, believes would violate any applicable law or regulation.  Nothing in this Section 2.14 shall limit the Corporation’s ability to solicit against and include in its proxy statement its own statements relating to any Stockholder Nominee and any Eligible Stockholder.

 

(g)                The Stockholder Notice shall set forth and consist of (i) all applicable information required under Section 2.5 of these By-laws; (ii) the written consent of each Stockholder Nominee to being named in the

 

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Corporation’s proxy statement as a nominee; (iii) a statement by the Eligible Stockholder (or in the case of a group, each stockholder or beneficial owner whose shares are aggregated for purposes of constituting an Eligible Stockholder) certifying as to the number of shares of voting stock of the Corporation it owns and has owned (as defined in Section 2.14(c)) continuously for at least three (3) years as of the date of the Stockholder Notice and agreeing to continue to own through the date of such annual meeting such shares it is deemed to own for purposes of this Section 2.14; (iv) a copy of the Schedule 14N that has been or is concurrently being filed with the SEC as required by Rule 14a-18 under the Exchange Act; and (v)  the written agreement of the Eligible Stockholder (or in the case of a group, each stockholder or beneficial owner whose shares are aggregated for purposes of constituting an Eligible Stockholder) addressed to the Corporation, setting forth the following additional agreements, representations, and warranties: (1) the Eligible Stockholder’s agreement to provide written statements from the record holder and intermediaries in the same form as required under Section 2.14(e) verifying the Eligible Stockholder’s continuous ownership of the Required Shares through and as of the business day immediately preceding the date of the annual meeting, together with the Eligible Stockholder’s agreement to continue to own such shares through the date of the annual meeting; (2) the Eligible Stockholder’s representation and warranty that the Eligible Stockholder (including each member of any group of stockholders that together is an Eligible Stockholder under this Section 2.14) (A) acquired the Required Shares in the ordinary course of business and not with the intent to change or influence control at the Corporation, and does not presently have such intent, (B) has not nominated and will not nominate for election to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting any person other than the Stockholder Nominee(s) being nominated pursuant to this Section 2.14, (C) has not engaged and will not engage in, and has not and will not be a “participant” in another person’s “solicitation” within the meaning of clause (l) of Rule 14a-1 under the Exchange Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the annual meeting other than its Stockholder Nominee or a nominee of the Board of Directors, and (D) will not distribute to any stockholder any form of proxy for the annual meeting other than the form distributed by the Corporation; and (3) the Eligible Stockholder’s agreement to (A) assume all liability stemming from any legal or regulatory violation arising out of the Eligible Stockholder’s communications with the stockholders of the Corporation or out of the information that the Eligible Stockholder provided to the Corporation, (B) comply with all other laws and regulations applicable to any solicitation in connection with the annual meeting, (C) file all materials described below in Section 2.14(j) with the SEC, regardless of whether any such filing is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, or whether any exemption from filing is available for such materials under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, and (D) provide to the Corporation prior to the election of directors such additional information as necessary or reasonably requested by the Corporation. The inspector of elections shall not give effect to the Eligible Stockholder’s votes with respect to the election of directors if the Eligible Stockholder breaches any of its agreements, representations, or warranties set forth in the Stockholder Notice, or if any of the information in the Stockholder Notice was not, when provided, true and correct.

 

(h)                To be timely under this Section 2.14, a Stockholder Notice must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120 th ) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and fiftieth (150 th ) day prior to the first anniversary of the date the definitive proxy statement was first released to stockholders in connection with the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or forty-five (45) days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, in order to be timely the Stockholder Notice must be so received not later than the close of business on the later of the one hundred and twentieth (120 th ) day prior to such annual meeting or the close of business on the tenth (10 th ) day following the day on which the public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made.

 

(i)                 Within five (5) business days after the date of the Stockholder Notice, a Stockholder Nominee must deliver to the Secretary of the Corporation a written representation and agreement that such Stockholder Nominee (i) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person as to how such Stockholder Nominee, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any person other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement, or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, and (iii) will comply with all of the Corporation’s corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines, and any other Corporation policies and guidelines applicable to directors.  At the request of the Corporation, the Stockholder Nominee must promptly, but in any event within five (5) business days of such

 

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request, submit all completed and signed questionnaires required of the Corporation’s directors and officers and provide to the Corporation such other information as it may reasonably request.  The Corporation may request such additional information as necessary to permit the Board of Directors to determine if each Stockholder Nominee is independent under the listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the shares of the Corporation are listed, any applicable rules of the SEC and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board in determining and disclosing the independence of the Corporation’s directors.

 

(j)                 The Eligible Stockholder shall file with the SEC any solicitation or other communication relating to the Corporation’s annual meeting, one or more of the Corporation’s directors then in office or any Stockholder Nominee, regardless of whether any such filing is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, or whether any exemption from filing is available for such solicitation or other communication under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act.

 

(k)                The number of Stockholder Nominees appearing in the Corporation’s proxy statement with respect to an annual meeting, combined with the number of (i) directors currently serving on the Board of Directors as a result of being elected pursuant to this Section 2.14, where the term of that director or directors extends past the election of directors for which the Corporation is soliciting proxies in connection with such annual meeting, and (ii) Stockholder Nominees who satisfy the requirements for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy statement but who are either withdrawn or are nominated by the Board of Directors as Board nominees, shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the number of directors then serving in office as of the last day on which a Stockholder Notice may be delivered pursuant to this Section 2.14, or if such amount is not a whole number, the closest whole number below twenty percent (20%); provided, however, that if fewer than ten (10) directors are serving on the Board of Directors as of the last day on which a Stockholder Notice may be delivered pursuant to Section 2.14(h), the number of Stockholder Nominees shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the number of directors then serving in office as of such date.  In the event that the number of Stockholder Nominees submitted by Eligible Stockholders pursuant to this Section 2.14 exceeds this maximum number, each Eligible Stockholder will select one Stockholder Nominee for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy statement until the maximum number is reached, going in order of the amount (largest to smallest) of shares of voting stock of the Corporation each Eligible Stockholder disclosed as owned in its respective Stockholder Notice submitted to the Corporation.  If the maximum number is not reached after each Eligible Stockholder has selected one Stockholder Nominee, this selection process will continue as many times as necessary, following the same order each time, until the maximum number is reached.  The Corporation shall not be required to include, pursuant to this Section 2.14, any Stockholder Nominee(s) in its proxy statement for any meeting of stockholders for which the Secretary of the Corporation receives notice that a stockholder intends to nominate a person for election to the Board of Directors pursuant to the advance notice requirements for stockholder nominees for director set forth in Section 2.5 of these By-laws and which stockholder does not expressly elect to have its nominee(s) included in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to this Section 2.14.

 

(l)                 Any Stockholder Nominee who is included in the Corporation’s proxy statement for a particular annual meeting but either (i) withdraws from or becomes ineligible or unavailable for election at the annual meeting, or (ii) does not receive at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the votes cast in favor of the Stockholder Nominee’s election, will be ineligible to be a Stockholder Nominee pursuant to this Section 2.14 for the next two annual meetings.

 

(m)               The Corporation shall not be required to include, pursuant to this Section 2.14, any Stockholder Nominees in its proxy statement for any meeting of stockholders (i) who is not independent under the listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the shares of the Corporation are listed, any applicable rules of the SEC, and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing the independence of the Corporation’s directors, (ii) who does not qualify as independent under the audit committee independence requirements set forth in the rules of the principal U.S. exchange on which shares of the Corporation are listed, as a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or as an “outside director” for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (or any successor provision), (iii) who is or has been, within the past three (3) years, an officer or director of a competitor, as defined in Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, as amended, or (iv) who is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses) or has been convicted in a criminal proceeding within the past ten (10) years.

 

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ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.1.   Powers; Number; Qualifications .   Except as may be otherwise provided by law and subject to the limitations in the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws relating to actions required to be approved by the stockholders, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.  In addition to the powers and authorities these By-laws expressly confer upon it, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.  The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board shall be not less than five (5) nor more than twenty (20). The exact number of directors within the minimum and maximum limitation specified in the preceding sentence shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by resolution of a majority of the whole Board. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.

 

The Board of Directors is specifically authorized to divide the Board into three classes, as authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Certificate of Incorporation, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits. The term of office of each class shall expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders for election of directors following the election of such class. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors of the class whose term then expires shall be elected for a full term of three (3) years to succeed the directors of such class so that the term of office of the directors of one class shall expire in each year.

 

Section 3.2.   Election; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies .   The members of each class of directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders at which the term of office of such class expires, as provided herein. Each director shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which he or she was elected and shall continue in office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. A director may be removed from office only for cause and by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than eighty percent (80%) of all the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors at a special meeting of stockholders called expressly for that purpose Any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall, unless otherwise provided by law or by resolution of the Board of Directors, be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of the class for which such directors shall have been chosen, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified.  No decrease in the authorized number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The stockholders of the Corporation are expressly prohibited from cumulating their votes in any election of directors of the Corporation.

 

Section 3.3.   Regular Meetings .   Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such places within or without the State of Delaware and at such times as the Board may from time to time determine; provided, however, that no fewer than one regular meeting per year shall be held.  A notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.

 

Section 3.4.   Special Meetings .   Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, if any, by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, by the President or by any two directors. The person or persons authorized to call a special meeting may fix the place and time of such meeting.  Notice of each such meeting shall be given to each director, if by mail, addressed to such director as his or her residence or usual place of business, at least five (5) days before the day on which such meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to such director at such place by telecopy, telegraph, electronic transmission or other form of recorded communication, or be delivered personally or by telephone, in each case at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time set for such meeting.  Notice of any meeting need not be given to a director who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a waiver of such notice or who shall attend such meeting without protesting, prior to or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such director.  A notice of special

 

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meeting need not state the purpose of such meeting, and, unless indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

 

Section 3.5.   Telephonic Meetings Permitted .   Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 3.5 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 3.6.   Quorum; Vote Required for Action .   Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, at all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the entire Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws shall require a vote of a greater number. In case at any meeting of the Board a quorum shall not be present, the members of the Board present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.  At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.  If a quorum initially is present at any meeting of directors, the directors may continue to transact business, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum, upon resolution of at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting prior to the loss of such quorum.

 

Section 3.7.   Organization .   Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the President, or in their absence by a director chosen by the Board. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 3.8.   Action by Written Consent.    Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or such committee.  Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.  Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3.9.   Compensation .   The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3.10 .  Emergency By-laws.   In the event of any emergency, disaster or catastrophe, as referred to in Section 110 of the DGCL, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors or a standing committee of the Board of Directors cannot readily be convened for action, then the director or directors in attendance at the meeting shall constitute a quorum.  Such director or directors in attendance may further take action to appoint one (1) or more of themselves or other directors to membership on any standing or temporary committees of the Board of Directors as they shall deem necessary and appropriate.

 

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

 

Section 4.1.   Committees .   The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting of such committee and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at such meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the

 

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Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of dissolution, indemnifying directors or amending these By-laws; and, unless the resolution expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.  All committees of the Board of Directors shall keep minutes of their meetings and shall report their proceedings to the Board of Directors when appropriate.

 

Section 4.2.   Committee Rules .   Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of a provision by the Board of Directors or a provision in the rules of such committee to the contrary, a majority of the entire authorized number of members of such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, the vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at the time of such vote if a quorum is then present shall be the act of such committee, and in all other respects each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors of the Corporation conducts its business pursuant to ARTICLE III of these By-laws.

 

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

 

Section 5.1.   Officers; Election; Qualification; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies .   The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Controller, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, each to have such authority, functions or duties as determined by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.  Each officer shall hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or by contract and until such person’s successor shall have been duly chosen and qualified, or until person’s earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary of the Corporation, without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which such officer is party. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. The Board of Directors may remove any officer with or without cause at any time. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which such officer is party, but the election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any number of offices may be held by the same person; provided, however, that no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board.

 

Section 5.2.   Powers and Duties of Executive Officers .   The officers of the Corporation shall have such powers and duties in the management of the Corporation as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board of Directors. The Board may require any officer, agent or employee to give security for the faithful performance of his or her duties.

 

ARTICLE VI

STOCK

 

Section 6.1.   Certificates .   The shares of the Corporation may be represented by certificates, or may be issued in uncertificated form in accordance with the DGCL, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of stock shall be uncertificated shares. The issuance of shares in uncertificated form shall not affect shares already represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation.  Every holder of stock in the Corporation represented by a certificate shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him or her in the Corporation. If such certificate is manually signed by one officer or manually countersigned by a transfer agent or

 

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by a registrar, any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 6.2.   Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates.   The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificated or uncertificated shares.  The Board of Directors may adopt such other provisions and restrictions with reference to lost certificates, not inconsistent with applicable law, as it shall in its discretion deem appropriate.

 

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 7.1.   Indemnification of Officers and Directors .   The Corporation shall to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of Delaware as the same now or may hereafter exist, indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. To the extent that a director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 7.1 of this ARTICLE VII or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.

 

Section 7.2.   Determination .   Any indemnification required under Section 7.1 of this ARTICLE VII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 7.1 of this ARTICLE VII. Such determination shall be made (1) by the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

 

Section 7.3.   Advancement of Expenses .   Expenses (including attorneys fees) incurred by an officer or a director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in or pursuant to this ARTICLE VII.

 

Section 7.4.   Other Rights of Indemnification The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to this ARTICLE VII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any By-law of the Corporation, agreement, vote

 

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of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

Section 7.5.   Indemnification Agreements .   Without limiting the provisions of this ARTICLE VII, the Corporation is authorized from time to time, without further action by the stockholders of the Corporation, to enter into agreements with any director or officer of the Corporation providing such rights of indemnification and advancement as the Corporation may deem appropriate, up to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any agreement entered into by the Corporation with a director may be authorized by the other directors, and such authorization shall not be invalid on the basis that similar agreements may have been or may thereafter be entered into with other directors.

 

Section 7.6.   Liability Insurance The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this ARTICLE VII.

 

Section 7.7.   Survival of Right to Indemnification The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this ARTICLE VII shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

Section 7.8.   Definitions For purposes of this ARTICLE VII, references to a “corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors or officers so that a person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this ARTICLE VII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

For purposes of this ARTICLE VII, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director or officer of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this ARTICLE VII.

 

Section 7.9.   Indemnification of Employees and Agents .   Persons who are not covered by the foregoing provisions of this ARTICLE VII and who are or were employees or agents of the Corporation, or are or were serving at the request of the Corporation as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of Delaware as the same now or may hereafter exist or to such lesser extent as the Board of Directors of the Corporation, in its discretion, may from time to time deem appropriate.

 

ARTICLE VIII
FORUM FOR ADJUDICATION OF DISPUTES

 

Section 8.1 .    Forum.   Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including any beneficial owner) to bring (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the

 

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Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or (e) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of any provision of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware); in all cases subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants.

 

Section 8.2.   Personal Jurisdiction.    If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 8.1 of these By-laws is filed in a court other than a state court within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder (including any beneficial owner), such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (a) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 8.1 of these By-laws and (b) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

Section 8.3.   Enforceability.    Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE VIII.  If any provision of this ARTICLE VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this ARTICLE VIII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this ARTICLE VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1.   Fiscal Year .   The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 9.2.   Seal .   The Corporation may have a corporate seal which shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors. The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

 

Section 9.3.   Manner of Notice .   Whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these By-laws, notice is required to be given to any stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such stockholder, at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice may also be given by electronic transmission in accordance with Section 232 of the DGCL.  An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any stockholders meeting, executed by the Secretary or any transfer agent of the Corporation giving the notice, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of such notice or report.

 

Notice to directors or officers of the Corporation may be given by telegram, telephone, mailgram, telex, telecopier, courier, any other similar medium or electronic mail at the address such director shall have filed in writing with the Secretary of the corporation.

 

Section 9.4.   Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and Committees .   Whenever notice is required to be given by law or under any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. To the extent permitted by law, attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the

 

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stockholders, directors, or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws.

 

Section 9.5   Form of Records; Maintenance and Inspection of Records .   Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, microphotographs or any other information storage device, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect the same.  The Corporation shall, either at its principal executive office or at such place or places as designated by the Board of Directors, keep a record of its stockholders listing their names and addresses and the number and class of shares held by each stockholder, a copy of these By-laws as amended to date, accounting books and other records.

 

Section 9.6.   Amendment of By-laws .   These By-laws may be altered or repealed, and new By-laws made, by the Board of Directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than eighty percent (80%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

Section 9.7 .  Subject to Law and Certificate of Incorporation .  All powers, duties and responsibilities provided for in these By-laws, whether or not explicitly so qualified, are qualified by the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

 

The foregoing By-laws were adopted by the Board of Directors on June 26, 2015.

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION
2015 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.                                       Purpose

 

The purpose of the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to advance the interests of United Therapeutics Corporation (the “Company”) by stimulating the efforts of employees, officers, non-employee directors and other service providers, in each case who are selected to be participants, by heightening the desire of such persons to continue working toward and contributing to the success and progress of the Company. The Plan supersedes the Company’s Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (as amended effective as of September 24, 2004) (the “Prior Plan”) and provides for the grant of Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Stock Awards, any of which may be performance-based, and for Incentive Bonuses, which may be paid in cash or stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator.  No new awards shall be issued under the Prior Plan following the approval of this Plan by the Company’s shareholders (but outstanding awards under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date shall continue to be governed by the Prior Plan).

 

2.                                       Definitions

 

As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

(a)                                  “Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(b)                                  “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Plan in accordance with Section 19.

 

(c)                                   “Affiliate” means, with respect to any entity, any other corporation, organization, association, partnership, sole proprietorship or other type of entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated, directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such entity.

 

(d)                                  “Award” means an Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Award or Incentive Bonus granted to a Participant pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, any of which the Administrator may structure to qualify in whole or in part as a Performance Award.

 

(e)                                   “Award Agreement” means a written agreement or other instrument as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator implementing the grant of each Award. An Agreement may be in the form of an agreement to be executed by both the Participant and the Company (or an authorized representative of the Company) or certificates, notices or similar instruments as approved by the Administrator.

 

(f)                                    “Board” means the board of directors of the Company.

 



 

(g)                                   “Cause” has the meaning specified in the Participant’s employment agreement (if any) or otherwise means (1) any act of personal dishonesty taken by the Participant in connection with his or her responsibilities as an employee or other service provider and intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of the Participant; (2) the Participant’s conviction of a felony; (3) an act by the Participant which constitutes willful or gross misconduct and which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company; or (4) continued substantial willful violations by the Participant of the Participant’s duties after there has been delivered to the Participant a written demand for performance from the Company which specifically sets forth the factual basis for the Company’s belief that the Participant has not substantially performed his or her duties.

 

(h)                                  “Change in Control” means, and shall be deemed to have occurred:

 

(1)                                  if any person or group (as used in Section 13(d) of the Act) (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act) of securities of the Company representing more than 30% of (a) the Shares then outstanding or (b) the combined voting power (other than in the election of directors) of all voting securities of the Company then outstanding; or

 

(2)                                  if, during any period of 24 consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board, and any director whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason (other than death or disability) to constitute at least a majority thereof; or

 

(3)                                  upon the consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries unless, following such event, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock or the combined voting power of all voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such transaction (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such transaction of the Company’s common stock or voting securities, as the case may be, (B) no person (excluding any corporation resulting from such transaction or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such transaction) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock

 

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of the corporation resulting from such transaction or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the transaction, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body) of the entity resulting from such transaction were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such transaction; or

 

(4)                                  upon the complete liquidation of the Company or the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a liquidation of the Company into a wholly-owned subsidiary.

 

(i)                                      “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rulings and regulations issues thereunder.

 

(j)                                     “Company” means United Therapeutics Corporation.

 

(k)                                  “Disability” means, in the Company’s reasonable judgment, either (a) the Participant has been unable to perform the Participant’s duties because of a physical or mental impairment for 80% or more of the normal working days during six consecutive calendar months or 50% or more of the normal working days during twelve consecutive calendar months, or (b) the Participant has become totally and permanently incapable of performing the usual duties of his or her employment with the Company on account of a physical or mental impairment.

 

(l)                                      “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the closing price of a Share on the principal exchange on which Shares are then trading, if any (or as reported on any composite index which includes such principal exchange).  If Shares are not traded as of a particular date, the Fair Market Value of a Share as of such date shall be the closing price on the preceding trading date.  If Shares not publicly traded on an exchange and not quoted on Nasdaq or a successor quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a Share shall be established by the Administrator in good faith.

 

(m)                              “Incentive Bonus” means a bonus opportunity awarded under Section 10 pursuant to which a Participant may become entitled to receive an amount based on satisfaction of such performance criteria as are specified in the Award Agreement or otherwise.

 

(n)                                  “Incentive Stock Option” means a stock option that is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(o)                                  “Nonemployee Director” means each person who is, or is elected to be, a member of the Board and who is not an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(p)                                  “Nonqualified Stock Option” means a stock option that is not intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(q)                                  “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option and/or a Nonqualified Stock Option granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.

 

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(r)                                     “Participant” means any individual described in Section 3 to whom Awards have been granted from time to time by the Administrator and any authorized transferee of such individual.

 

(s)                                    “Person” has the same meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Act.

 

(t)                                     “Performance Award” means an Award, the grant, issuance, retention, vesting or settlement of which is subject to satisfaction of one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria established pursuant to Section 14.

 

(u)                                  “Plan” means the 2015 United Therapeutics Corporation Stock Incentive Plan as set forth herein and as amended from time to time.

 

(v)                                  “Qualifying Performance Criteria” has the meaning set forth in Section 14(b).

 

(w)                                “Restricted Stock” means Shares granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.

 

(x)                                  “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8 pursuant to which Shares or cash in lieu thereof may be issued in the future.

 

(y)                                  “Share” means a share of the Company’s par value common stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13.

 

(z)                                   “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan that entitles the Participant to receive, in cash or Shares or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, value equal to or otherwise based on the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares at the time of exercise over (ii) the exercise price of the right, as established by the Administrator on the date of grant.

 

(aa)                           “Stock Award” means an award of Shares to a Participant pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.

 

(bb)                           “Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company), limited liability company or other form of entity in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company where each of the entities in the unbroken chain other than the last entity owns stock possessing at least 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other entities in the chain, and if specifically determined by the Administrator in the context other than with respect to Incentive Stock Options, may include an entity in which the Company has a significant ownership interest or that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company.

 

(cc)                             “Substitute Awards” means Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, by a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines.

 

(dd)                           “Termination of Employment” means ceasing to serve as an employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries or, with respect to a Nonemployee Director or other non-employee

 

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service provider, ceasing to serve as such for the Company, except that with respect to all or any Awards held by a Participant (i) the Administrator may determine that a transition of employment to service with a partnership, joint venture or corporation not meeting the requirements of a Subsidiary in which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party is not considered a Termination of Employment, (ii) unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, service as a member of the Board or other service provider shall not be deemed to constitute continued employment with respect to Awards granted to a Participant while he or she served as an employee, (iii) service as an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary shall constitute continued employment with respect to Awards granted to a Participant while he or she served as a member of the Board or other service provider, and (iv) the Administrator may determine that an approved leave of absence or approved employment on a less than full-time basis is considered a Termination of Employment.  The Administrator shall determine whether any corporate transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a Termination of Employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for purposes of any affected Participant’s Awards, and the Administrator’s decision shall be final and binding.

 

3.                                       Eligibility

 

Any person who is a current or prospective officer or employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary shall be eligible for selection by the Administrator for the grant of Awards hereunder. In addition, Nonemployee Directors and any other service providers who have been retained to provide consulting, advisory or other services to the Company or to any Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of Awards hereunder as determined by the Administrator.  Options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, as selected by the Administrator.

 

4.                                       Effective Date and Termination of Plan

 

This Plan was adopted by the Board as of April 29, 2015 (the “Effective Date”), provided that any grants made prior to the approval of the Plan by the Company’s shareholders shall be subject to such approval. All Awards granted under this Plan are subject to, and may not be exercised before, the approval of this Plan by the shareholders prior to the first anniversary of the date the Board adopts the Plan, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares of the Company present, or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote, at a meeting of the Company’s shareholders or by written consent in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware; provided that if such approval by the shareholders of the Company is not forthcoming, all Awards previously granted under this Plan shall be void. The Plan shall remain available for the grant of Awards until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan may be terminated at such earlier time as the Board may determine. Termination of the Plan will not affect the rights and obligations of the Participants and the Company arising under Awards theretofore granted and then in effect.

 

5.                                       Shares Subject to the Plan and to Awards

 

(a)                                  Aggregate Limits . The aggregate number of Shares issuable pursuant to all Awards shall not exceed 6,150,000; provided that any Shares granted under Options or Stock

 

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Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit on a one-for-one basis and any Shares granted as Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as 2.14 Shares for every one (1) Share subject to such Award.  The aggregate number of Shares available for grant under this Plan and the number of Shares subject to outstanding Awards shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13. The Shares issued pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan may be shares that are authorized and unissued or shares that were reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased in the open market.

 

(b)                                  Issuance of Shares . For purposes of Section 5(a), the aggregate number of Shares issued under this Plan at any time shall equal only the number of Shares actually issued upon exercise or settlement of an Award.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares subject to an Award under the Plan may not again be made available for issuance under the Plan if such Shares are: (i) Shares that were subject to a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right and were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) Shares used to pay the exercise price of an Option, (iii) Shares delivered to or withheld by the Company to pay the withholding taxes related an Award, or (iv) Shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option exercise.  Shares subject to Awards that have been canceled, expired, forfeited or otherwise not issued under an Award and Shares subject to Awards settled in cash shall not count as Shares issued under this Plan.

 

(c)                                   Tax Code Limits . The aggregate number of Shares subject to Awards granted under this Plan during any calendar year to any one Participant shall not exceed 1,000,000, which number shall be calculated and adjusted pursuant to Section 13 only to the extent that such calculation or adjustment will not affect the status of any Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code but which number shall not count any tandem SARs (as defined in Section 7). The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan shall not exceed 6,150,000, which number shall be calculated and adjusted pursuant to Section 13 only to the extent that such calculation or adjustment will not affect the status of any option intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code. The maximum cash amount payable pursuant to that portion of an Incentive Bonus granted in any calendar year to any Participant under this Plan that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall not exceed $5,000,000.

 

(d)                                  Director Awards .  The aggregate number of Shares subject to Awards granted under this Plan during any calendar year to any one Nonemployee Director shall not exceed 30,000 Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights and 15,000 Shares of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that in the calendar year in which a Nonemployee Director first joins the Board, the maximum number of shares subject to Awards granted to the Participant may be up to two hundred percent (200%) of the number of shares set forth in the foregoing limits.

 

(e)                                   Substitute Awards .  Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan or authorized for grant to a Participant in any calendar year. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary, or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines, has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination,

 

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the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were employees, directors or other service providers of such acquired or combined company before such acquisition or combination.

 

6.                                       Options

 

(a)                                  Option Awards . Options may be granted at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the Plan to Participants as determined by the Administrator. No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares subject to Options hereunder until said Shares have been issued. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Options granted pursuant to the Plan need not be identical but each Option must contain and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

 

(b)                                  Price . The Administrator will establish the exercise price per Share under each Option, which, in no event will be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant; provided, however, that the exercise price per Share with respect to an Option that is granted in connection with a merger or other acquisition as a substitute or replacement award for options held by optionees of the acquired entity may be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date such Option is granted if such exercise price is based on a formula set forth in the terms of the options held by such optionees or in the terms of the agreement providing for such merger or other acquisition. The exercise price of any Option may be paid in Shares, cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, including an irrevocable commitment by a broker to pay over such amount from a sale of the Shares issuable under an Option, the delivery of previously owned Shares and withholding of Shares deliverable upon exercise, or in such other form as is acceptable to the Administrator.

 

(c)                                   Provisions Applicable to Options . The date on which Options become exercisable shall be determined at the sole and absolute discretion of the Administrator and set forth in an Award Agreement. However, in no event shall any Option vest before the first anniversary of the date of grant; provided that, if so determined by the Committee, an Option may fully or partially vest before such anniversary in the event of the Participant’s death or disability or a Change in Control.  Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, an approved leave of absence or employment on a less than full-time basis shall not result in an adjustment to the vesting period and/or exercisability of an Option to reflect the effects of any period during which the Participant is on an approved leave of absence or is employed on a less than full-time basis.  In no event may any Option include a reload feature.

 

(d)                                  Term of Options and Termination of Employment :  The Administrator shall establish the term of each Option, which in no case shall exceed a period of ten (10) years from the date of grant.  Unless an Option earlier expires upon the expiration date established pursuant to the foregoing sentence, upon the Participant’s Termination of Employment, his or her rights to

 

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exercise an Option then held shall be only as follows, unless the Administrator specifies otherwise:

 

(1)                                  General .  If a Participant’s Termination of Employment is for any reason other than the Participant’s death, Disability, or termination for Cause, Options granted to the Participant may continue to be exercised in accordance with their terms for a period of ninety (90) days after such Termination of Employment, but only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise the Options on the date of such termination.

 

(2)                                  Death . If a Participant dies either while an employee or officer of the Company or a Subsidiary or member of the Board, or after the Termination of Employment other than for Cause but during the time when the Participant could have exercised an Option, the Options issued to such Participant shall become fully vested and exercisable by the personal representative of such Participant or other successor to the interest of the Participant for one year after the Participant’s death.

 

(3)                                  Disability . If a Participant’s Termination of Employment is due to Disability, then all of the Participant’s Options shall immediately fully vest, and the Options held by the Participant at the time of such Termination of Employment shall be exercisable by the Participant or the personal representative of such Participant for one year following such Termination of Employment.

 

(4)                                  Termination for Cause . If a Participant is terminated for Cause, the Participant shall have no further right to exercise any Options previously granted. The Administrator or one or more officers designated by the Administrator shall determine whether a termination is for Cause.

 

(e)                                   Incentive Stock Options . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, in the case of the grant of an Option intending to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option: (i) if the Participant owns stock possessing more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, the exercise price of such Option must be at least 110 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant and the Option must expire within a period of not more than five (5) years from the date of grant, and (ii) Termination of Employment will occur when the person to whom an Award was granted ceases to be an employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company and its corporate Subsidiaries.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6 to the contrary, options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall not be eligible for treatment under the Code as Incentive Stock Options (and will be deemed to be Nonqualified Stock Options) to the extent that either (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares (determined as of the time of grant) with respect to which such Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any corporate Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted, or (b) such Options otherwise remain exercisable but are not exercised within three (3) months of Termination of Employment (or such other period of time provided in Section 422 of the Code).

 

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7.                                       Stock Appreciation Rights

 

Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Participants from time to time either in tandem with or as a component of other Awards granted under the Plan (“tandem SARs”) or not in conjunction with other Awards (“freestanding SARs”) and may, but need not, relate to a specific Option granted under Section 6. The provisions of Stock Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each grant or each recipient. Any Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with an Award may be granted at the same time such Award is granted or at any time thereafter before exercise or expiration of such Award. All freestanding SARs shall be granted subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to Options as set forth in Section 6 (including, without limitation, the vesting provisions of Section 6(c)) and all tandem SARs shall have the same exercise price, vesting, exercisability, forfeiture and termination provisions as the Award to which they relate. Subject to the provisions of Section 6 and the immediately preceding sentence, the Administrator may impose such other conditions or restrictions on any Stock Appreciation Right as it shall deem appropriate. Stock Appreciation Rights may be settled in Shares, cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

8.                                       Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

 

(a)                                  Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards . Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the Plan to Participants as determined by the Administrator. Restricted Stock is an award or issuance of Shares the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or transferability of which is subject during specified periods of time to such conditions (including continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Restricted Stock Units are Awards denominated in units of Shares under which the issuance of Shares is subject to such conditions (including continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, each Restricted Stock Unit will be equal to one Share and will entitle a Participant to either the issuance of Shares or payment of an amount of cash determined with reference to the value of Shares. To the extent determined by the Administrator, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be satisfied or settled in Shares, cash or a combination thereof. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Plan need not be identical but each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units must contain and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

 

(b)                                  Contents of Agreement . Each Award Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of Shares or Restricted Stock Units subject to such Award or a formula for determining such number, (ii) the purchase price of the Shares, if any, and the means of payment, (iii) the performance criteria, if any, and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the number of Shares or Restricted Stock Units granted, issued, retainable and/or vested, (iv) such terms and conditions on the grant, issuance, vesting and/or forfeiture of the Shares or Restricted Stock Units as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, (v) the term of the performance period, if any, as to which performance will be measured for determining the number of such Shares or Restricted Stock Units, and (vi) restrictions on the

 

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transferability of the Shares or Restricted Stock Units. Shares issued under a Restricted Stock Award may be issued in the name of the Participant and held by the Participant or held by the Company, in each case as the Administrator may provide.

 

(c)                                   Vesting and Performance Criteria . The grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or settlement of shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will occur when and in such installments as the Administrator determines or under criteria the Administrator establishes, which may include Qualifying Performance Criteria.  However, in no event shall any shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units vest before the first anniversary of the date of grant; provided that, if so determined by the Committee, shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may fully or partially vest before such anniversary in the event of the Participant’s death or disability or a Change in Control.  Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the performance criteria for any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code will be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and specified when the Award is granted.

 

(d)                                  Termination of Employment . Unless the Administrator provides otherwise:

 

(i)                                      General . In the event of Termination of Employment for any reason other than death or Disability, any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units still subject in full or in part to restrictions at the date of such Termination of Employment shall automatically be forfeited and returned to the Company.

 

(ii)                                   Death or Disability . In the event a Participant’s Termination of Employment is because of death or Disability, the restrictions remaining on any or all Shares remaining subject to a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award shall lapse.

 

(e)                                   Discretionary Adjustments and Limits . Subject to the limits imposed under Section 162(m) of the Code for Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation,” notwithstanding the satisfaction of any performance goals, the number of Shares granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units on account of either financial performance or personal performance evaluations may, to the extent specified in the Award Agreement, be reduced, but not increased, by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator shall determine.

 

(f)                                    Voting Rights . Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those shares during the period of restriction. Participants shall have no voting rights with respect to Shares underlying Restricted Stock Units unless and until such Shares are reflected as issued and outstanding shares on the Company’s stock ledger.

 

(g)                                   Dividends and Distributions . Participants in whose name Restricted Stock is granted shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to those Shares, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator. The Administrator will determine whether any such dividends or distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares

 

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of Restricted Stock and subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were distributed or whether such dividends or distributions will be paid in cash. Shares underlying Restricted Stock Units shall be entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents only to the extent provided by the Administrator.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall dividends, distributions or dividend equivalents be currently payable with respect to unvested or unearned Performance Awards.

 

(h)                                  Payment of Restricted Stock Units .  In all events, unless payment with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit is deferred in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Shares and/or cash underlying such Restricted Stock Unit shall be paid to the Participant no later than two and one-half months following the end of the year in which the Restricted Stock Unit is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

 

(i)                                      Legending of Restricted Stock . The Administrator may also require that certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock be retained and held in escrow by a designated employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary until any restrictions applicable to shares of Restricted Stock so retained have been satisfied or lapsed. Any certificates evidencing shares of Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to the Plan shall bear the following legend:

 

The shares represented by this certificate were issued subject to certain restrictions under the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). This certificate is held subject to the terms and conditions contained in a restricted stock agreement that includes a prohibition against the sale or transfer of the stock represented by this certificate except in compliance with that agreement and that provides for forfeiture upon certain events. Copies of the Plan and the restricted stock agreement are on file in the office of the Secretary of the Company.

 

9.                                       Stock Awards

 

(a)                                  Grant .  Stock Awards may be granted at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the Plan to Participants as determined by the Administrator.  Stock Awards shall be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Administrator.  However, in no event shall any Stock Award vest before the first anniversary of the date of grant; provided that, if so determined by the Committee, a Stock Award may fully or partially vest before such anniversary in the event of the Participant’s death or disability or a Change in Control.

 

(b)                                  Rights as a Shareholder . A Participant shall have all voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to Shares issued to the Participant as a Stock Award under this Section 9 upon the Participant becoming the holder of record of the Shares granted pursuant to such Stock Award; provided, that the Administrator may impose such restrictions on the assignment or transfer of Shares awarded pursuant to a Stock Award as it considers appropriate.

 

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10.                                Incentive Bonuses

 

(a)                                  General . Each Incentive Bonus Award will confer upon the Participant the opportunity to earn a future payment tied to the level of achievement with respect to one or more performance criteria established for a performance period of not less than one year.

 

(b)                                  Incentive Bonus Document . Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the terms of any Incentive Bonus will be set forth in an Award Agreement. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Incentive Bonus shall contain provisions regarding (i) the target and maximum amount payable to the Participant as an Incentive Bonus, (ii) the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the amount of such payment, (iii) the term of the performance period as to which performance shall be measured for determining the amount of any payment, (iv) the timing of any payment earned by virtue of performance, (v) restrictions on the alienation or transfer of the Incentive Bonus prior to actual payment, (vi) forfeiture provisions and (vii) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.

 

(c)                                   Performance Criteria . The Administrator shall establish the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the target and maximum amount payable under an Incentive Bonus, which criteria may be based on financial performance and/or personal performance evaluations. The Administrator may specify the percentage of the target Incentive Bonus that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any portion of an Incentive Bonus that is intended by the Administrator to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria (as defined in Section 14(b)) selected by the Administrator and specified at the time the Incentive Bonus is granted. The Administrator shall certify the extent to which any Qualifying Performance Criteria has been satisfied, and the amount payable as a result thereof, prior to payment of any Incentive Bonus that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(d)                                  Timing and Form of Payment . The Administrator shall determine the timing of payment of any Incentive Bonus. Payment of the amount due under an Incentive Bonus may be made in cash or in Shares, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may provide for or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may specify, may permit a Participant to elect for the payment of any Incentive Bonus to be deferred to a specified date or event.  In all events, unless payment of an Incentive Bonus is deferred in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, any Incentive Bonus shall be paid to the Participant no later than two and one-half months following the end of the year in which the Incentive Bonus is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

 

(e)                                   Discretionary Adjustments . Notwithstanding satisfaction of any performance goals, the amount paid under an Incentive Bonus on account of either financial performance or personal performance evaluations may, to the extent specified in the Award Agreement or other document evidencing the Award, be reduced, but not increased, by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator shall determine.

 

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11.                                Deferral of Awards

 

The Administrator may, in an Award Agreement or otherwise, provide for the deferred delivery of Shares upon settlement, vesting or other events with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, or in payment or satisfaction of an Incentive Bonus. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event will any deferral of the delivery of Shares or any other payment with respect to any Award be allowed if the Administrator determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the deferral would result in the imposition of the additional tax under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code.  No award shall provide for deferral of compensation that does not comply with Section 409A of the Code, unless the Board, at the time of grant, specifically provides that the Award is not intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code.  The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Board.

 

12.                                Conditions and Restrictions Upon Securities Subject to Awards

 

The Administrator may provide that the Shares issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or otherwise subject to or issued under an Award shall be subject to such further agreements, restrictions, conditions or limitations as the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion may specify prior to the exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right or the grant, vesting or settlement of such Award, including without limitation, conditions on vesting or transferability, forfeiture or repurchase provisions and method of payment for the Shares issued upon exercise, vesting or settlement of such Award (including the actual or constructive surrender of Shares already owned by the Participant) or payment of taxes arising in connection with an Award. Without limiting the foregoing, such restrictions may address the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued under an Award, including without limitation (i) restrictions under an insider trading policy or pursuant to applicable law, (ii) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and holders of other Company equity compensation arrangements, (iii) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers and (iv) provisions requiring Shares to be sold on the open market or to the Company in order to satisfy tax withholding or other obligations.

 

13.                                Adjustment of and Changes in the Stock

 

(a)                                  General .  The number and kind of Shares available for issuance under this Plan (including under any Awards then outstanding), and the number and kind of Shares subject to the limits set forth in Section 5 of this Plan, shall be equitably adjusted by the Administrator to reflect any reorganization, reclassification, combination of shares, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, dividend or distribution of securities, property or cash (other than regular, quarterly cash dividends), or any other event or transaction that affects the number or kind of Shares outstanding.  Such adjustment shall be designed to comply with Sections 409A and 424 of the Code as applicable, or, except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 5(c) of this Plan, may be designed to treat the Shares available under the Plan and subject to Awards as if they were all outstanding on the record date for such event or transaction or to increase the number of such Shares to reflect a deemed reinvestment in Shares of the amount distributed to the Company’s

 

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securityholders. The terms of any outstanding Award shall also be equitably adjusted by the Administrator as to price, number or kind of Shares subject to such Award, vesting, and other terms to reflect the foregoing events, which adjustments need not be uniform as between different Awards or different types of Awards.

 

In the event there shall be any other change in the number or kind of outstanding Shares, or any stock or other securities into which such Shares shall have been changed, or for which it shall have been exchanged, by reason of a change of control, other merger, consolidation or otherwise, then the Administrator shall determine the appropriate and equitable adjustment to be effected.

 

No right to purchase fractional shares shall result from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to this Section 13. In case of any such adjustment, the Shares subject to the Award shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share for Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, and shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share with respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. The Company shall notify Participants holding Awards subject to any adjustments pursuant to this Section 13 of such adjustment, but (whether or not notice is given) such adjustment shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.

 

(b)                                  Change in Control.  The Administrator may determine the effect of a Change in Control on outstanding Awards in a manner that, in the Administrator’s discretion, is fair and equitable to Participants.  Such effects, which need not be the same for every Participant, may include, without limitation: (x) the substitution for the Shares subject to any outstanding Award, or portion thereof, of stock or other securities of the surviving corporation or any successor corporation to the Company, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, in which event the aggregate purchase or exercise price, if any, of such Award, or portion thereof, shall remain the same, and/or (y) the conversion of any outstanding Award, or portion thereof, into a right to receive cash or other property upon or following the consummation of the Change in Control in an amount equal to the value of the consideration to be received by holders of Shares in connection with such transaction for one Share, less the per share purchase or exercise price of such Award, if any, multiplied by the number of Shares subject to such Award, or a portion thereof.

 

14.                                Qualifying Performance-Based Compensation

 

(a)                                  General . The Administrator may establish performance criteria and level of achievement versus such criteria that shall determine the number of Shares to be granted, retained, vested, issued or issuable under or in settlement of or the amount payable pursuant to an Award, which criteria may be based on Qualifying Performance Criteria or other standards of financial performance and/or personal performance evaluations. In addition, the Administrator may specify that an Award or a portion of an Award is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, provided that the performance criteria for such Award or portion of an Award that is intended by the Administrator to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and specified at the time the Award is granted. The Administrator shall certify the extent to which any Qualifying Performance Criterion has been satisfied, and the amount payable as a result thereof, prior to payment, settlement or vesting of

 

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any Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(b)                                  Qualifying Performance Criteria . For purposes of this Plan, the term “Qualifying Performance Criteria” shall mean any one or more of the following performance criteria, or derivations of such performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Administrator: (i) net earnings or earnings per share (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, license fees, share-based compensation, and/or amortization, or other non-GAAP profitability measures), (ii) income, net income or operating income, (iii) revenues, (iv) net sales, (v) return on sales, (vi) return on equity, (vii) return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital), (viii) return on assets or net assets, (ix) economic value added measurements, (x) return on invested capital, (xi) return on operating revenue, (xii) cash flow (before or after dividends), (xii) stock price, (xiv) total shareholder return, (xv) market capitalization, (xvi) economic value added, (xvii) debt leverage (debt to capital), (xviii) operating profit or net operating profit, (xix) operating margin or profit margin, (xx) cash from operations, (xxi) market share, (xxii) product development or release schedules, (xxiii) new product innovation, (xxiv) cost reductions, (xxv) customer service, or (xxvi) customer satisfaction. To the extent consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee (A) shall appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under a Qualifying Performance Criterion to eliminate the effects of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items and all items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or related to the disposal of a segment of a business or related to a change in accounting principle all as determined in accordance with applicable accounting provisions, as well as the cumulative effect of accounting changes, in each case as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or identified in the Company’s financial statements or notes to the financial statements, and (B) may appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under a Qualifying Performance Criterion to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a performance period: (i) asset write- downs, (ii) litigation, claims, judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, and (iv) accruals of any amounts for payment under this Plan or any other compensation arrangement maintained by the Company.

 

15.                                Transferability

 

Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, each Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and each Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only by the Participant during his or her lifetime.  To the extent permitted by the Administrator, the person to whom an Award is initially granted (the “Grantee”) may transfer an Award to any “family member” of the Grantee (as such term is defined in Section 1(a)(5) of the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Form S-8”)), to trusts solely for the benefit of such family members and to partnerships in which such family members and/or trusts are the only partners; provided that, (i) as a condition thereof, the transferor and the transferee must execute a written agreement containing such terms as specified

 

15



 

by the Administrator, and (ii) the transfer is pursuant to a gift or a domestic relations order to the extent permitted under the General Instructions to Form S-8.  Except to the extent specified otherwise in the agreement the Administrator provides for the Grantee and transferee to execute, all vesting, exercisability and forfeiture provisions that are conditioned on the Grantee’s continued employment or service shall continue to be determined with reference to the Grantee’s employment or service (and not to the status of the transferee) after any transfer of an Award pursuant to this Section 15, and the responsibility to pay any taxes in connection with an Award shall remain with the Grantee notwithstanding any transfer other than by will or intestate succession.

 

16.                                Suspension or Termination of Awards

 

Except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at any time (including after a notice of exercise has been delivered or an award has vested) the Company’s chairman and co-chief executive officer or any other person designated by the Administrator (each such person, an “Authorized Officer”) reasonably believes that a Participant may have committed an Act of Misconduct as described in this Section 16, the Authorized Officer, Administrator or the Board may suspend the Participant’s rights to exercise any Option, to vest in an Award, and/or to receive payment for or receive Shares in settlement of an Award pending a determination of whether an Act of Misconduct has been committed.

 

If the Administrator or an Authorized Officer determines a Participant has committed an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty, nonpayment of any obligation owed to the Company or any Subsidiary, breach of fiduciary duty, violation of Company ethics policy or code of conduct, or deliberate disregard of the Company or Subsidiary rules resulting in loss, damage or injury to the Company or any Subsidiary, or if a Participant makes an unauthorized disclosure of any Company or Subsidiary trade secret or confidential information, solicits any employee or service provider to leave the employ or cease providing services to the Company or any Subsidiary, breaches any intellectual property or assignment of inventions covenant, engages in any conduct constituting unfair competition, breaches any non-competition agreement, induces any Company or Subsidiary customer to breach a contract with the Company or any Subsidiary or to cease doing business with the Company or any Subsidiary, or induces any principal for whom the Company or any Subsidiary acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship (any of the foregoing acts, an “Act of Misconduct”), then except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, (i) neither the Participant nor his or her estate nor transferee shall be entitled to exercise any Option or Stock Appreciation Right whatsoever, vest in or have the restrictions on an Award lapse, or otherwise receive payment of an Award, (ii) the Participant will forfeit all outstanding Awards and (iii) the Participant may be required, at the Administrator’s sole and absolute discretion, to return and/or repay to the Company any then unvested Shares previously issued under the Plan. In making such determination, the Administrator or an Authorized Officer shall give the Participant an opportunity to appear and present evidence on his or her behalf at a hearing before the Administrator or its designee or an opportunity to submit written comments, documents, information and arguments to be considered by the Administrator.

 

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17.                                Compliance with Laws and Regulations

 

This Plan, the grant, issuance, vesting, exercise and settlement of Awards thereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell, issue or deliver Shares under such Awards, shall be subject to all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, stock exchange rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. The Company shall not be required to register in a Participant’s name or deliver any Shares prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of such shares under any foreign, federal, state or local law or any ruling or regulation of any government body which the Administrator shall determine to be necessary or advisable. To the extent the Company is unable to or the Administrator deems it infeasible to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be relieved of any liability with respect to the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. No Option shall be exercisable and no Shares shall be issued and/or transferable under any other Award unless a registration statement with respect to the Shares underlying such Option is effective and current or the Company has determined that such registration is unnecessary.

 

In the event an Award is granted to or held by a Participant who is employed or providing services outside the United States, the Administrator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, modify the provisions of the Plan or of such Award as they pertain to such individual to comply with applicable foreign law or to recognize differences in local law, currency or tax policy. The Administrator may also impose conditions on the grant, issuance, exercise, vesting, settlement or retention of Awards in order to comply with such foreign law and/or to minimize the Company’s obligations with respect to tax equalization for Participants employed outside their home country.

 

18.                                Withholding

 

To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, a Participant shall be required to satisfy, in a manner satisfactory to the Company, any withholding tax obligations that arise by reason of an Option exercise, disposition of Shares issued under an Incentive Stock Option, the vesting of or settlement of an Award, an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or otherwise with respect to an Award. To the extent a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, within ten days of filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service, the Participant must notify the Company in writing of such election. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to issue Shares, make any payment or to recognize the transfer or disposition of Shares until all such obligations are satisfied. The Administrator may provide for or permit these obligations to be satisfied through the mandatory or elective sale of Shares and/or by having the Company withhold a portion of the Shares that otherwise would be issued to him or her upon exercise of the Option or the vesting or settlement of an Award, or by tendering Shares previously acquired.

 

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19.                                Administration of the Plan

 

(a)                                  Administrator of the Plan . The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator who shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board or, in the absence of a Compensation Committee, the Board itself. Any power of the Administrator may also be exercised by the Board, except to the extent that the grant or exercise of such authority would cause any Award or transaction to become subject to (or lose an exemption under) the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Act or cause an Award designated as a Performance Award not to qualify for treatment as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. To the extent that any permitted action taken by the Board conflicts with action taken by the Administrator, the Board action shall control. The Compensation Committee may by resolution authorize one or more officers of the Company to perform any or all things that the Administrator is authorized and empowered to do or perform under the Plan, and for all purposes under this Plan, such officer or officers shall be treated as the Administrator; provided, however, that no such officer shall designate himself or herself as a recipient of any Awards granted under authority delegated to such officer.  The Compensation Committee may delegate any or all aspects of the day-to-day administration of the Plan to one or more officers or employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, and/or to one or more agents.

 

(b)          Powers of Administrator . Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator shall be authorized and empowered to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration of this Plan, including, without limitation: (i) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan and to define terms not otherwise defined herein; (ii) to determine which persons are Participants, to which of such Participants, if any, Awards shall be granted hereunder and the timing of any such Awards; (iii) to grant Awards to Participants and determine the terms and conditions thereof, including the number of Shares subject to Awards and the exercise or purchase price of such Shares and the circumstances under which Awards become exercisable or vested or are forfeited or expire, which terms may but need not be conditioned upon the passage of time, continued employment, the satisfaction of performance criteria, the occurrence of certain events (including a Change in Control), or other factors; (iv) to establish and verify the extent of satisfaction of any performance goals or other conditions applicable to the grant, issuance, exercisability, vesting and/or ability to retain any Award; (v) to prescribe and amend the terms of the agreements or other documents evidencing Awards made under this Plan (which need not be identical) and the terms of or form of any document or notice required to be delivered to the Company by Participants under this Plan; (vi) to determine the extent to which adjustments are required pursuant to Section 13; (vii) to interpret and construe this Plan, any rules and regulations under this Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, and to make exceptions to any such provisions in if the Administrator, in good faith, determines that it is necessary to do so in light of extraordinary circumstances and for the benefit of the Company (provided that nothing in this Section 19(b) permits the Committee to provide that any Award may vest before the first anniversary of the date of grant other than in connection with the Participant’s death or disability or a Change in Control); (viii) to approve corrections in the documentation or administration of any Award; and (ix) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. The Administrator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, without amendment to the Plan, waive or amend the operation of Plan provisions respecting exercise after termination of employment or service to the Company or an Affiliate

 

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and, except as otherwise provided herein, adjust any of the terms of any Award (subject to the proviso in item (vii) of the immediately-preceding sentence). Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities or other property), stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, Change in Control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities, or similar transaction(s)), the Company may not, without obtaining shareholder approval: (w) amend the terms of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights; (x) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights; (y) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price above the current stock price in exchange for cash or other securities; or (z) otherwise  amend, exchange or reprice Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(c)                                   Determinations by the Administrator . All decisions, determinations and interpretations by the Administrator regarding the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan and the terms and conditions of or operation of any Award granted hereunder, shall be final and binding on all Participants, beneficiaries, heirs, assigns or other persons holding or claiming rights under the Plan or any Award. The Administrator shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, in its sole and absolute discretion, to making such decisions, determinations and interpretations including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or other employee of the Company and such attorneys, consultants and accountants as it may select.

 

(d)                                  Subsidiary Awards . In the case of a grant of an Award to any Participant employed by a Subsidiary, such grant may, if the Administrator so directs, be implemented by the Company issuing any subject Shares to the Subsidiary, for such lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine, upon the condition or understanding that the Subsidiary will transfer the Shares to the Participant in accordance with the terms of the Award specified by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, such Award may be issued by and in the name of the Subsidiary and shall be deemed granted on such date as the Administrator shall determine.

 

(e)                                   Indemnification of Administrator . Neither any member nor former member of the Administrator nor any individual to whom authority is or has been delegated shall be personally responsible or liable for any act or omission in connection with the performance of powers or duties or the exercise of discretion or judgment in the administration and implementation of the Plan. Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Administrator shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any cost, liability or expense imposed or incurred in connection with such person’s or the Administrator’s taking or failing to take any action under the Plan. Each such person shall be justified in relying on information furnished in connection with the Plan’s administration by any employee, officer, agent or expert employed or retained by the Administrator or the Company.

 

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20.                                Amendment of the Plan or Awards

 

The Board may amend, alter or discontinue this Plan and the Administrator may amend or alter any agreement or other document evidencing an Award made under this Plan but, except as provided pursuant to the provisions of Section 13, no such amendment shall, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company:

 

(a)                                  increase the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may be granted under this Plan;

 

(b)                                  reduce the price at which Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted below the price provided for in Section 6(a);

 

(c)                                   amend the last sentence of Section 19(b) (relating to direct and indirect repricings of outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights);

 

(d)                                  amend the proviso in Section 19(b)(vii);

 

(e)                                   extend the term of this Plan;

 

(f)                                    change the class of persons eligible to be Participants;

 

(g)                                   otherwise amend the Plan in any manner requiring shareholder approval by law or under Nasdaq Global Select Market listing requirements (or the listing requirements of any successor exchange or market that is the primary stock exchange or market for trading of Shares); or

 

(h)                                  increase the individual maximum limits in Sections 5(c) and (d).

 

No amendment or alteration to the Plan or an Award or Award Agreement shall be made which would impair the rights of the holder of an Award, without such holder’s consent, provided that no such consent shall be required if the Administrator determines in its sole and absolute discretion and prior to the date of any Change in Control that such amendment or alteration either is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any law or regulation or to meet the requirements of or avoid adverse financial accounting consequences under any accounting standard.  In addition, the Plan may not be amended in any way that causes the Plan to fail to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, unless the Board expressly determines to amend the Plan to be subject to Section 409A of the Code.

 

21.                                No Liability of Company

 

The Company and any Subsidiary or Affiliate which is in existence or hereafter comes into existence shall not be liable to a Participant or any other person as to: (a) the non-issuance or sale of Shares as to which the Company has been unable to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder; and (b) any tax consequence expected, but not

 

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realized, by any Participant or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Award granted hereunder.

 

22.                                Non-Exclusivity of Plan

 

Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board nor the submission of this Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or the Administrator to adopt such other incentive arrangements as either may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of restricted stock or stock options otherwise than under this Plan or an arrangement not intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

23.                                Governing Law

 

This Plan and any agreements or other documents hereunder shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the Delaware and applicable federal law. Any reference in this Plan or in the agreement or other document evidencing any Awards to a provision of law or to a rule or regulation shall be deemed to include any successor law, rule or regulation of similar effect or applicability.

 

24.                                No Right to Employment, Reelection or Continued Service

 

Nothing in this Plan or an Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, its Subsidiaries and/or its Affiliates to terminate any Participant’s employment, service on the Board or service for the Company at any time or for any reason not prohibited by law, nor shall this Plan or an Award itself confer upon any Participant any right to continue his or her employment or service for any specified period of time. Neither an Award nor any benefits arising under this Plan shall constitute an employment contract with the Company, any Subsidiary and/or its Affiliates. Subject to Sections 4 and 20, this Plan and the benefits hereunder may be terminated at any time in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Board without giving rise to any liability on the part of the Company, its Subsidiaries and/or its Affiliates.

 

25.                                Unfunded Plan

 

The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan. Participants are and shall at all times be general creditors of the Company with respect to their Awards. If the Administrator or the Company chooses to set aside funds in a trust or otherwise for the payment of Awards under the Plan, such funds shall at all times be subject to the claims of the creditors of the Company in the event of its bankruptcy or insolvency.

 

21


Exhibit 10.2

 

UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION

GRANT NOTICE FOR 2015 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS
FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

 

FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, United Therapeutics Corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to Participant named below the nonqualified stock option (the “Option”) to purchase any part or all of the number of shares of its par value common stock (the “Shares”), that are covered by this Option, as specified below, at the Exercise Price per share specified below and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Grant Notice, the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Standard Terms and Conditions for Non-Employee Directors (the “Standard Terms and Conditions”) promulgated under such Plan, each as amended from time to time.  This Option is granted pursuant to the Plan and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the Standard Terms and Conditions.

 

Name of Participant:

 

 

 

Grant Date:

 

 

 

Number of Shares covered by Option:

 

 

 

Exercise Price Per Share:

$

 

 

Expiration Date:

 

 

 

Vesting Schedule:

The entire Option vests and becomes exercisable on the first anniversary of the Grant Date, if the Participant attends at least 75% of the regularly-scheduled meetings of the Board and each committee of the Board of which Participant is a member at the time of the meeting, between the Grant Date and the date of the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders.

 

This Option is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

By accepting this Grant Notice, Participant acknowledges that he or she has received and read, and agrees that this Option shall be subject to, the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan and the Standard Terms and Conditions.  Such acceptance shall be effected by such method(s) as determined by the Company, which may include acceptance by electronic means.

 



 

UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS

FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

 

These Standard Terms and Conditions for Non-Employee Directors (these “Standard Terms and Conditions”) apply to the Option (as defined below) granted to a non-employee director of the Company (as defined below) pursuant to the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which are identified as nonqualified stock options and are evidenced by a Grant Notice or an action of the Administrator that specifically refers to these Standard Terms and Conditions.  In addition to these Standard Terms and Conditions, the Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, which are incorporated into these Standard Terms and Conditions by this reference.  Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

1.                                       TERMS OF OPTION

 

United Therapeutics Corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant named in the Grant Notice provided to said Participant herewith (the “Grant Notice”) a nonqualified stock option (the “Option”) to purchase up to the number of shares of the Company’s par value common stock (the “Shares”), set forth in the Grant Notice.  The exercise price per share and the vesting schedule of the Option are set forth in the Grant Notice, and the Option is subject to the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions (as amended from time to time), and the Plan.  For purposes of these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Grant Notice, any reference to the Company shall include a reference to any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company.

 

2.                                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION

 

The Option is not intended to be an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and will be interpreted accordingly.

 

3.                                       EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

The Option shall not be exercisable as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice.  After the Grant Date, to the extent not previously exercised, and subject to termination or acceleration as provided in these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it becomes vested, as described in the Grant Notice, the terms of the Plan and these Standard Terms and Conditions, to purchase up to that number of Shares as set forth in the Grant Notice, provided that (except as set forth in Section 4.A below) the Participant remains in service with the Company and does not experience a Termination of Employment. Notwithstanding any provision of any other agreement between the Company and the Participant, in no event shall any portion of the Option vest or become exercisable prior to the first anniversary of the Grant Date, other than as provided in these Standard Terms and Conditions in connection with the Participant’s death or Disability or the occurrence of a Change in Control.

 

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To exercise the Option (or any part thereof), the Participant shall deliver to the Company a “Notice of Exercise” in a form specified by the Administrator, specifying the number of whole Shares the Participant wishes to purchase and how the Participant’s Shares should be registered (in the Participant’s name only or in the Participant’s and the Participant’s spouse’s names as community property or as joint tenants with right of survivorship). This may also be accomplished via the Company’s electronic Plan administration system.

 

The exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) of the Option is set forth in the Grant Notice.  The Company shall not be obligated to issue any Shares until the Participant shall have paid the total Exercise Price for that number of Shares.  The Exercise Price shall be paid pursuant to an irrevocable commitment by a broker to pay over such amount from a sale of the Shares issuable under the Option unless the Participant elects to pay such Exercise Price in Shares, cash or a combination thereof, including through the delivery of previously owned Shares, or in such other manners as may be permitted by the Administrator.

 

Fractional shares may not be exercised.  Shares will be issued as soon as practical after exercise.  Notwithstanding the above, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares during any period when the Company determines that the exercisability of the Option or the delivery of Shares hereunder would violate any federal, state or other applicable laws.

 

4.                                       EXPIRATION OF OPTION

 

The Option shall expire and cease to be exercisable as of the earlier of (a) the Expiration Date set forth in the Grant Notice or (b) the date specified below in connection with the Participant’s Termination of Employment:

 

A.                                     If the Participant’s Termination of Employment is by reason of death or Disability,  the Option shall fully vest and become exercisable, and the Participant (or the Participant’s estate, beneficiary or legal representative, as applicable) may exercise the Option (regardless of whether then vested or exercisable) until the date that is twelve months following the date of such Termination of Employment.

 

B.                                     If the Participant’s Termination of Employment is for any reason other than death, Disability, or pursuant to Section 4.C. below, the Participant may exercise any portion of the Option that is vested and exercisable at the time of such Termination of Employment until the date that is ninety (90) days following the date of such Termination of Employment.  Any portion of the Option that is not vested and exercisable at the time of such Termination of Employment (after taking into account any accelerated vesting under Section 5 below or any other agreement between the Participant and the Company) shall be forfeited and canceled as of the date of such Termination of Employment.

 

C.                                     Notwithstanding any provision of these Standard Terms & Conditions or the Plan to the contrary other than with respect to a Qualifying Termination described in

 

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Section 5.C. below, the Option shall expire and shall no longer be exercisable on the date of Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company for gross misconduct (which includes, without limitation, commission of a felony, misdemeanor or similar crime or offense, the Participant’s failure to follow lawful directions of the person to whom he or she reports, and such other circumstances as reasonably determined by the Administrator).

 

5.                                       CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or these Standard Terms & Conditions to the contrary, the Option shall vest and become fully exercisable upon a Change in Control.  If so determined by the Committee or the Board, in connection with a Change in Control, all or a portion of the Option may be cancelled in connection with the Change in Control for a cash payment equal to the per-Share payment less the Exercise Price of the Option.

 

6.                                       RESTRICTIONS ON RESALES OF SHARES ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO OPTION EXERCISE

 

The Company may impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of the exercise of the Option, including without limitation (a) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (b) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and other optionholders and (c) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers.

 

7.                                       NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION

 

Except as permitted by the Administrator or as permitted under the Plan, the Participant may not assign or transfer the Option to anyone other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and the Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant during his or her lifetime.  The Company may cancel the Participant’s Option if the Participant attempts to assign or transfer it in a manner inconsistent with this Section 8.

 

8.                                       OTHER AGREEMENTS SUPERSEDED

 

The Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between the Participant and the Company regarding the Option.  Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning the Option are superseded.

 

9.                                       LIMITATION OF INTEREST IN SHARES SUBJECT TO OPTION

 

Neither the Participant (individually or as a member of a group) nor any beneficiary or other person claiming under or through the Participant shall have any right, title, interest, or privilege in or to any Shares allocated or reserved for the purpose of the Plan or subject to the Grant Notice or these Standard Terms and Conditions except as to such Shares, if any, as shall have been issued to such person upon exercise of the Option or

 

4



 

any part of it.  Nothing in the Plan, in the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions or any other instrument executed pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Company’s service nor limit in any way the Company’s right to terminate the Participant’s service at any time for any reason.

 

10.                                GENERAL

 

In the event that any provision of these Standard Terms and Conditions is declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise deleted, and the remainder of these Standard Terms and Conditions shall not be affected except to the extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision.

 

The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of these Standard Terms and Conditions, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

 

These Standard Terms and Conditions shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.

 

These Standard Terms and Conditions shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

 

In the event of any conflict between the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Standard Terms and Conditions shall control.  In the event of any conflict between the Grant Notice and these Standard Terms and Conditions, the Grant Notice shall control.

 

All questions arising under the Plan or under these Standard Terms and Conditions shall be decided by the Administrator in its total and absolute discretion.

 

11.                                ELECTRONIC DELIVERY

 

By executing the Grant Notice, the Participant hereby consents to the delivery of information (including, without limitation, information required to be delivered to the Participant pursuant to applicable securities laws) regarding the Company and the Subsidiaries, the Plan, the Option and the Shares via Company web site or other electronic delivery.

 

5


Exhibit 10.3

 

UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION

GRANT NOTICE FOR 2015 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS
FOR CERTAIN EXECUTIVES

 

FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, United Therapeutics Corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to Participant named below the nonqualified stock option (the “Option”) to purchase any part or all of the number of shares of its par value common stock (the “Shares”), that are covered by this Option, as specified below, at the Exercise Price per share specified below and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Grant Notice, the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Standard Terms and Conditions for Certain Executives (the “Standard Terms and Conditions”) promulgated under such Plan, each as amended from time to time.  This Option is granted pursuant to the Plan and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the Standard Terms and Conditions.

 

Name of Participant:

 

 

 

Grant Date:

 

 

 

Number of Shares covered by Option:

 

 

 

Exercise Price Per Share:

$

 

 

Expiration Date:

 

 

 

Vesting Schedule:

[For Annual Awards: The Option vests and becomes exercisable with respect to one-fourth of the shares subject to the Option on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the Grant Date.]

 

or

 

[For New Hire Awards: The entire Option vests and becomes exercisable on the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date]

 

or

 

[Note: For other vesting schedules, address here]

 

This Option is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

By accepting this Grant Notice, Participant acknowledges that he or she has received and read, and agrees that this Option shall be subject to, the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan and the Standard Terms and Conditions.  Such acceptance shall be effected by such method(s) as determined by the Company, which may include acceptance by electronic means.

 



 

UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS

FOR CERTAIN EXECUTIVES

 

These Standard Terms and Conditions for Certain Executives (these “Standard Terms and Conditions”) apply to the Option (as defined below) granted to an employee of the Company (as defined below) pursuant to the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which are identified as nonqualified stock options and are evidenced by a Grant Notice or an action of the Administrator that specifically refers to these Standard Terms and Conditions.  In addition to these Standard Terms and Conditions, the Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, which are incorporated into these Standard Terms and Conditions by this reference.  Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

1.                                       TERMS OF OPTION

 

United Therapeutics Corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant named in the Grant Notice provided to said Participant herewith (the “Grant Notice”) a nonqualified stock option (the “Option”) to purchase up to the number of shares of the Company’s par value common stock (the “Shares”), set forth in the Grant Notice.  The exercise price per share and the vesting schedule of the Option are set forth in the Grant Notice, and the Option is subject to the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions (as amended from time to time), and the Plan.  For purposes of these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Grant Notice, any reference to the Company shall include a reference to any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company.

 

2.                                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION

 

The Option is not intended to be an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and will be interpreted accordingly.

 

3.                                       EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

The Option shall not be exercisable as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice.  After the Grant Date, to the extent not previously exercised, and subject to termination or acceleration as provided in these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it becomes vested, as described in the Grant Notice, the terms of the Plan and these Standard Terms and Conditions, to purchase up to that number of Shares as set forth in the Grant Notice, provided that (except as set forth in Section 4.A and Section 5 below) the Participant remains employed with the Company and does not experience a Termination of Employment.  The vesting period and/or exercisability of an Option may be adjusted by the Administrator to reflect the decreased level of employment during any period in which the Participant is on an approved leave of absence or is employed on a less than full time basis.  Notwithstanding any provision of any employment or other agreement between the Company and the Participant, in no event shall any portion of the Option vest or become exercisable prior to the first

 

2



 

anniversary of the Grant Date, other than as provided in these Standard Terms and Conditions in connection with the Participant’s death or Disability or the occurrence of a Change in Control.

 

To exercise the Option (or any part thereof), the Participant shall deliver to the Company a “Notice of Exercise” in a form specified by the Administrator, specifying the number of whole Shares the Participant wishes to purchase and how the Participant’s Shares should be registered (in the Participant’s name only or in the Participant’s and the Participant’s spouse’s names as community property or as joint tenants with right of survivorship). This may also be accomplished via the Company’s electronic Plan administration system.

 

The exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) of the Option is set forth in the Grant Notice.  The Company shall not be obligated to issue any Shares until the Participant shall have paid the total Exercise Price for that number of Shares.  The Exercise Price shall be paid pursuant to an irrevocable commitment by a broker to pay over such amount from a sale of the Shares issuable under the Option unless the Participant elects to pay such Exercise Price in Shares, cash or a combination thereof, including through the delivery of previously owned Shares, or in such other manners as may be permitted by the Administrator.

 

Fractional shares may not be exercised.  Shares will be issued as soon as practical after exercise.  Notwithstanding the above, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares during any period when the Company determines that the exercisability of the Option or the delivery of Shares hereunder would violate any federal, state or other applicable laws.

 

4.                                       EXPIRATION OF OPTION

 

The Option shall expire and cease to be exercisable as of the earlier of (a) the Expiration Date set forth in the Grant Notice or (b) the date specified below in connection with the Participant’s Termination of Employment:

 

A.                                     If the Participant’s Termination of Employment is by reason of death or Disability,  the Option shall fully vest and become exercisable, and the Participant (or the Participant’s estate, beneficiary or legal representative, as applicable) may exercise the Option (regardless of whether then vested or exercisable) until the date that is twelve months following the date of such Termination of Employment.

 

B.                                     If the Participant’s Termination of Employment is for any reason other than death, Disability, or pursuant to Section 4.C. below, the Participant may exercise any portion of the Option that is vested and exercisable at the time of such Termination of Employment until the date that is ninety (90) days following the date of such Termination of Employment.  Any portion of the Option that is not vested and exercisable at the time of such Termination of Employment (after taking into account any accelerated vesting under Section 5 below or any other

 

3



 

agreement between the Participant and the Company) shall be forfeited and canceled as of the date of such Termination of Employment.

 

C.                                     Notwithstanding any provision of these Standard Terms & Conditions or the Plan to the contrary other than with respect to a Qualifying Termination described in Section 5.C. below, the Option shall expire and shall no longer be exercisable on the date of Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company for gross misconduct (which includes, without limitation, commission of a felony, misdemeanor or similar crime or offense, the Participant’s failure to follow lawful directions of the person to whom he or she reports, and such other circumstances as reasonably determined by the Administrator).

 

D.                                     Notwithstanding any other provision of any employment agreement between the Participant and the Company that would permit the Participant to become a senior advisor to the Company and fully vest in the Option, if such senior advisor status becomes effective before the first anniversary of the Grant Date, the Option shall not vest until the first anniversary of the Grant Date and such vesting shall be subject to the Participant continuing to provide services to the Company as a senior advisor through such anniversary.  The Participant’s service as a senior advisor to the Company shall be treated as continued employment for purposes hereof, and the Participant’s Termination of Employment shall occur at the termination of such senior advisor status.

 

5.                                       CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or these Standard Terms & Conditions to the contrary, the Option shall vest and become fully exercisable (a) upon a Change in Control if the Option is not assumed by, or a substitute award granted, in connection with such Change of Control, (b) upon a Qualifying Termination of the employment of the Participant within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control if the Award is assumed, or a new award substituted, in connection with the Change in Control.  If so determined by the Committee or the Board, in connection with a Change in Control, all or a portion of the Option may be cancelled in connection with the Change in Control for a cash payment equal to the per-Share payment less the Exercise Price of the Option.

 

6.                                       RESTRICTIONS ON RESALES OF SHARES ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO OPTION EXERCISE

 

The Company may impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of the exercise of the Option, including without limitation (a) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (b) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and other optionholders and (c) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers.

 

4



 

7.                                       INCOME TAXES

 

The Company shall not deliver Shares in respect of the exercise of any Option unless and until the Participant has made arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator to satisfy applicable withholding tax obligations.  The Company shall withhold Shares issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option (provided that Shares may be withheld only to the extent that such withholding will not result in adverse accounting treatment for the Company) to pay the minimum required withholding taxes unless the Participant pays the withholding tax obligations to the Company by cash or check.  The Participant acknowledges that the Company shall have the right to deduct any taxes required to be withheld by law in connection with the exercise of the Option from any amounts payable by it to the Participant (including, without limitation, future cash wages).

 

8.                                       NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION

 

Except as permitted by the Administrator or as permitted under the Plan, the Participant may not assign or transfer the Option to anyone other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and the Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant during his or her lifetime.  The Company may cancel the Participant’s Option if the Participant attempts to assign or transfer it in a manner inconsistent with this Section 8.

 

9.                                       OTHER AGREEMENTS SUPERSEDED

 

The Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between the Participant and the Company regarding the Option.  Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning the Option are superseded (provided that, if the Participant is party to an employment agreement with the Company that specifically addresses treatment of stock options, such employment agreement shall control except as otherwise provided herein).

 

10.                                LIMITATION OF INTEREST IN SHARES SUBJECT TO OPTION

 

Neither the Participant (individually or as a member of a group) nor any beneficiary or other person claiming under or through the Participant shall have any right, title, interest, or privilege in or to any Shares allocated or reserved for the purpose of the Plan or subject to the Grant Notice or these Standard Terms and Conditions except as to such Shares, if any, as shall have been issued to such person upon exercise of the Option or any part of it.  Nothing in the Plan, in the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions or any other instrument executed pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Company’s employ or service nor limit in any way the Company’s right to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time for any reason.

 

11.                                GENERAL

 

In the event that any provision of these Standard Terms and Conditions is declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise deleted, and the remainder of these Standard Terms and

 

5



 

Conditions shall not be affected except to the extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision.

 

The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of these Standard Terms and Conditions, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

 

These Standard Terms and Conditions shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.

 

These Standard Terms and Conditions shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

 

In the event of any conflict between the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Standard Terms and Conditions shall control.  In the event of any conflict between the Grant Notice and these Standard Terms and Conditions, the Grant Notice shall control.

 

All questions arising under the Plan or under these Standard Terms and Conditions shall be decided by the Administrator in its total and absolute discretion.

 

12.                                ELECTRONIC DELIVERY

 

By executing the Grant Notice, the Participant hereby consents to the delivery of information (including, without limitation, information required to be delivered to the Participant pursuant to applicable securities laws) regarding the Company and the Subsidiaries, the Plan, the Option and the Shares via Company web site or other electronic delivery.

 

13.                                DEFINITIONS

 

A.                                     “Cause” has the meaning specified in the Plan.

 

B.                                     “Good Reason” means any of the following actions upon or after a Change in Control, without the Participant’s express prior written approval, other than due to the Participant’s Disability or death: (i) (a) an adverse change in the Participant’s status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) from the Participant’s status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; (b) the assignment to the Participant of any duties or responsibilities which are inconsistent with the Participant’s status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; or (c) any removal of the Participant from or failure to reappoint or reelect the Participant to any of the offices or positions held by the Participant immediately prior to the Change in Control, except in the case of (a), (b) or (c) in connection with the termination of the Participant’s employment for Cause, as a result of the Participant’s Disability or death, or by the Participant other than for

 

6



 

Good Reason; (ii) a reduction in the Participant’s base salary or any failure to pay the Participant any compensation or benefits to which the Participant is entitled within five days of the date due; (iii) a reduction in the Participant’s annual cash bonus opportunity or equity-type incentive opportunity; (iv) the Company requiring the Participant to relocate to any place outside a 50 mile radius of the location serving as the Participant’s principal work site immediately prior to the Change in Control, except for reasonably required travel on the business of the Company or an Affiliate which is not materially greater than such travel requirements in effect immediately prior thereto; (v) the failure by the Company to continue in effect employee benefits for the Participant no less favorable in the aggregate as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; or (vi) any material breach by the Company of any provision of an agreement between the Company and the Participant.  With respect to (i) through (vi) above, Good Reason shall not be deemed to have occurred unless the Participant shall have notified the Company in writing of his or her intent to resign for Good Reason within thirty (30) days following occurrence of the event constituting Good Reason and the Company shall not have cured the grounds for Good Reason within five (5) days following the provision of such notice.

 

C.                                     “Qualifying Termination” means termination of the Participant’s employment by the Company without Cause or resignation by the Participant for Good Reason.

 

7


Exhibit 10.4

 

UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION

GRANT NOTICE FOR 2015 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS
FOR EMPLOYEES

 

FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, United Therapeutics Corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to Participant named below the nonqualified stock option (the “Option”) to purchase any part or all of the number of shares of its par value common stock (the “Shares”), that are covered by this Option, as specified below, at the Exercise Price per share specified below and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Grant Notice, the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Standard Terms and Conditions for Employees (the “Standard Terms and Conditions”) promulgated under such Plan, each as amended from time to time.  This Option is granted pursuant to the Plan and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the Standard Terms and Conditions.

 

Name of Participant:

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Date:

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares covered by Option:

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise Price Per Share:

 

$       

 

 

 

Expiration Date:

 

 

 

 

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

[For Annual Awards: The Option vests and becomes exercisable with respect to one-fourth of the shares subject to the Option on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the Grant Date.]

or

[For New Hire Awards: The entire Option vests and becomes exercisable on the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date]

or

[Note: For other vesting schedules, address here]

 

This Option is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

By accepting this Grant Notice, Participant acknowledges that he or she has received and read, and agrees that this Option shall be subject to, the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan and the Standard Terms and Conditions.  Such acceptance shall be effected by such method(s) as determined by the Company, which may include acceptance by electronic means.

 



 

UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS

FOR EMPLOYEES

 

These Standard Terms and Conditions for Employees (these “Standard Terms and Conditions”) apply to the Option (as defined below) granted to an employee of the Company (as defined below) pursuant to the United Therapeutics Corporation 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which are identified as nonqualified stock options and are evidenced by a Grant Notice or an action of the Administrator that specifically refers to these Standard Terms and Conditions.  In addition to these Standard Terms and Conditions, the Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, which are incorporated into these Standard Terms and Conditions by this reference.  Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

 

1.                                       TERMS OF OPTION

 

United Therapeutics Corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant named in the Grant Notice provided to said Participant herewith (the “Grant Notice”) a nonqualified stock option (the “Option”) to purchase up to the number of shares of the Company’s par value common stock (the “Shares”), set forth in the Grant Notice.  The exercise price per share and the vesting schedule of the Option are set forth in the Grant Notice, and the Option is subject to the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions (as amended from time to time), and the Plan.  For purposes of these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Grant Notice, any reference to the Company shall include a reference to any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company.

 

2.                                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION

 

The Option is not intended to be an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and will be interpreted accordingly.

 

3.                                       EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

The Option shall not be exercisable as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice.  After the Grant Date, to the extent not previously exercised, and subject to termination or acceleration as provided in these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan, the Option shall be exercisable only to the extent it becomes vested, as described in the Grant Notice, the terms of the Plan and these Standard Terms and Conditions, to purchase up to that number of Shares as set forth in the Grant Notice, provided that (except as set forth in Section 4.A and Section 5 below) the Participant remains employed with the Company and does not experience a Termination of Employment.  The vesting period and/or exercisability of an Option may be adjusted by the Administrator to reflect the decreased level of employment during any period in which the Participant is on an approved leave of absence or is employed on a less than full time basis.  Notwithstanding any provision of any employment or other agreement between the Company and the Participant, in no event shall any portion of the Option vest or become exercisable prior to the first

 

2



 

anniversary of the Grant Date, other than as provided in these Standard Terms and Conditions in connection with the Participant’s death or Disability or the occurrence of a Change in Control.

 

To exercise the Option (or any part thereof), the Participant shall deliver to the Company a “Notice of Exercise” in a form specified by the Administrator, specifying the number of whole Shares the Participant wishes to purchase and how the Participant’s Shares should be registered (in the Participant’s name only or in the Participant’s and the Participant’s spouse’s names as community property or as joint tenants with right of survivorship). This may also be accomplished via the Company’s electronic Plan administration system.

 

The exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) of the Option is set forth in the Grant Notice.  The Company shall not be obligated to issue any Shares until the Participant shall have paid the total Exercise Price for that number of Shares.  The Exercise Price shall be paid pursuant to an irrevocable commitment by a broker to pay over such amount from a sale of the Shares issuable under the Option unless the Participant elects to pay such Exercise Price in Shares, cash or a combination thereof, including through the delivery of previously owned Shares, or in such other manners as may be permitted by the Administrator.

 

Fractional shares may not be exercised.  Shares will be issued as soon as practical after exercise.  Notwithstanding the above, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares during any period when the Company determines that the exercisability of the Option or the delivery of Shares hereunder would violate any federal, state or other applicable laws.

 

4.                                       EXPIRATION OF OPTION

 

The Option shall expire and cease to be exercisable as of the earlier of (a) the Expiration Date set forth in the Grant Notice or (b) the date specified below in connection with the Participant’s Termination of Employment:

 

A.                                     If the Participant’s Termination of Employment is by reason of death or Disability,  the Option shall fully vest and become exercisable, and the Participant (or the Participant’s estate, beneficiary or legal representative, as applicable) may exercise the Option (regardless of whether then vested or exercisable) until the date that is twelve months following the date of such Termination of Employment.

 

B.                                     If the Participant’s Termination of Employment is for any reason other than death, Disability, or pursuant to Section 4.C. below, the Participant may exercise any portion of the Option that is vested and exercisable at the time of such Termination of Employment until the date that is ninety (90) days following the date of such Termination of Employment.  Any portion of the Option that is not vested and exercisable at the time of such Termination of Employment (after taking into account any accelerated vesting under Section 5 below or any other

 

3



 

agreement between the Participant and the Company) shall be forfeited and canceled as of the date of such Termination of Employment.

 

C.                                     Notwithstanding any provision of these Standard Terms & Conditions or the Plan to the contrary other than with respect to a Qualifying Termination described in Section 5.C. below, the Option shall expire and shall no longer be exercisable on the date of Participant’s Termination of Employment by the Company for gross misconduct (which includes, without limitation, commission of a felony, misdemeanor or similar crime or offense, the Participant’s failure to follow lawful directions of the person to whom he or she reports, and such other circumstances as reasonably determined by the Administrator).

 

5.                                       CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or these Standard Terms & Conditions to the contrary, the Option shall vest and become fully exercisable (a) upon a Change in Control if the Option is not assumed by, or a substitute award granted, in connection with such Change of Control, (b) upon a Qualifying Termination of the employment of the Participant within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control if the Award is assumed, or a new award substituted, in connection with the Change in Control.  If so determined by the Committee or the Board, in connection with a Change in Control, all or a portion of the Option may be cancelled in connection with the Change in Control for a cash payment equal to the per-Share payment less the Exercise Price of the Option.

 

6.                                       RESTRICTIONS ON RESALES OF SHARES ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO OPTION EXERCISE

 

The Company may impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of the exercise of the Option, including without limitation (a) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (b) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and other optionholders and (c) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers.

 

7.                                       INCOME TAXES

 

The Company shall not deliver Shares in respect of the exercise of any Option unless and until the Participant has made arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator to satisfy applicable withholding tax obligations.  The Company shall withhold Shares issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option (provided that Shares may be withheld only to the extent that such withholding will not result in adverse accounting treatment for the Company) to pay the minimum required withholding taxes unless the Participant pays the withholding tax obligations to the Company by cash or check.  The Participant acknowledges that the Company shall have the right to deduct any taxes required to be withheld by law in connection with the exercise of the Option from any amounts payable by it to the Participant (including, without limitation, future cash wages).

 

4



 

8.                                       NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION

 

Except as permitted by the Administrator or as permitted under the Plan, the Participant may not assign or transfer the Option to anyone other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and the Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant during his or her lifetime.  The Company may cancel the Participant’s Option if the Participant attempts to assign or transfer it in a manner inconsistent with this Section 8.

 

9.                                       OTHER AGREEMENTS SUPERSEDED

 

The Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between the Participant and the Company regarding the Option.  Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning the Option are superseded (provided that, if the Participant is party to an employment agreement with the Company that specifically addresses treatment of stock options, such employment agreement shall control except as otherwise provided herein).

 

10.                                LIMITATION OF INTEREST IN SHARES SUBJECT TO OPTION

 

Neither the Participant (individually or as a member of a group) nor any beneficiary or other person claiming under or through the Participant shall have any right, title, interest, or privilege in or to any Shares allocated or reserved for the purpose of the Plan or subject to the Grant Notice or these Standard Terms and Conditions except as to such Shares, if any, as shall have been issued to such person upon exercise of the Option or any part of it.  Nothing in the Plan, in the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions or any other instrument executed pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Company’s employ or service nor limit in any way the Company’s right to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time for any reason.

 

11.                                GENERAL

 

In the event that any provision of these Standard Terms and Conditions is declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise deleted, and the remainder of these Standard Terms and Conditions shall not be affected except to the extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision.

 

The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of these Standard Terms and Conditions, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

 

These Standard Terms and Conditions shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns.

 

5



 

These Standard Terms and Conditions shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

 

In the event of any conflict between the Grant Notice, these Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Standard Terms and Conditions shall control.  In the event of any conflict between the Grant Notice and these Standard Terms and Conditions, the Grant Notice shall control.

 

All questions arising under the Plan or under these Standard Terms and Conditions shall be decided by the Administrator in its total and absolute discretion.

 

12.                                ELECTRONIC DELIVERY

 

By executing the Grant Notice, the Participant hereby consents to the delivery of information (including, without limitation, information required to be delivered to the Participant pursuant to applicable securities laws) regarding the Company and the Subsidiaries, the Plan, the Option and the Shares via Company web site or other electronic delivery.

 

13.                                DEFINITIONS

 

A.                                     “Cause” has the meaning specified in the Plan.

 

B.                                     “Good Reason” means any of the following actions upon or after a Change in Control, without the Participant’s express prior written approval, other than due to the Participant’s Disability or death: (i) (a) an adverse change in the Participant’s status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) from the Participant’s status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; (b) the assignment to the Participant of any duties or responsibilities which are inconsistent with the Participant’s status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; or (c) any removal of the Participant from or failure to reappoint or reelect the Participant to any of the offices or positions held by the Participant immediately prior to the Change in Control, except in the case of (a), (b) or (c) in connection with the termination of the Participant’s employment for Cause, as a result of the Participant’s Disability or death, or by the Participant other than for Good Reason; (ii) a reduction in the Participant’s base salary or any failure to pay the Participant any compensation or benefits to which the Participant is entitled within five days of the date due; (iii) a reduction in the Participant’s annual cash bonus opportunity or equity-type incentive opportunity; (iv) the Company requiring the Participant to relocate to any place outside a 50 mile radius of the location serving as the Participant’s principal work site immediately prior to the Change in Control, except for reasonably required travel on the business of the Company or an Affiliate which is not materially greater than such travel requirements in effect immediately prior thereto; (v) the failure by the Company to continue in effect employee benefits for the Participant no less favorable in the

 

6



 

aggregate as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; or (vi) any material breach by the Company of any provision of an agreement between the Company and the Participant.  With respect to (i) through (vi) above, Good Reason shall not be deemed to have occurred unless the Participant shall have notified the Company in writing of his or her intent to resign for Good Reason within thirty (30) days following occurrence of the event constituting Good Reason and the Company shall not have cured the grounds for Good Reason within five (5) days following the provision of such notice.

 

C.                                     “Qualifying Termination” means termination of the Participant’s employment by the Company without Cause or resignation by the Participant for Good Reason.

 

7


Exhibit 99.1

 

Contact: James Edgemond

Phone: (301) 608-9292

E-mail: jedgemond@unither.com

 

DEAN JUDY D. OLIAN JOINS THE

UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Silver Spring, MD and Research Triangle Park, NC, June 29, 2015 — United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ: UTHR) announced today the appointment of Dean Judy D. Olian, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors as an independent director.  The appointment is effective as of June 26, 2015.

 

Olian is the dean of the UCLA Anderson School of Management and the John E. Anderson Chair in Management.  Her research and business expertise centers on aligning organizational strategies and design with human resource systems and incentives, and managing top management teams.  She began her UCLA appointment in 2006 after serving as dean and professor of management at the Smeal College of Business Administration at the Pennsylvania State University.  Earlier, she served in various faculty and executive roles at the University of Maryland and its Robert H. Smith School of Business.  Dean Olian serves or has been a member of various advisory boards, including Beijing University’s Guanghua School of Business, the U.S. Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, Catalyst, the leading global think tank for women in business, and is Chairman of the Loeb Awards for Business Journalism.  Born and raised in Australia, Dean Olian received her B.S. in Psychology from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial Relations from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  She was the Chairman of AACSB International, the premier thought leadership and accreditation organization for leading global business schools, and also serves on the board of directors of Ares Management, L.P., a publicly traded global alternative asset management firm, and Westwood Technology Transfer Inc., a not-for-profit organization focused on protecting and optimizing the discoveries and inventions developed at UCLA.

 

“We greatly value Dean Olian’s outstanding achievements and experience,” said Martine Rothblatt, Ph.D., United Therapeutics’ Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer.  “Her knowledge and business expertise in management, in addition to her service on various advisory boards, position her well to serve on our Board of Directors.”

 

“I am especially drawn to United Therapeutics because of its tremendous impact in saving the lives of many people who would otherwise run out of options, while achieving great business success,” said Dean Olian.  “United Therapeutics has an outstanding leadership team, and I am proud to join its board.”

 

About United Therapeutics

 

United Therapeutics Corporation is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening cardiovascular and infectious diseases and cancer.  [uthr-g]

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Statements included in this press release concerning the expected contributions of and guidance by Dean Olian are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are qualified by the cautionary statements, cautionary language and risk factors set forth in our periodic reports and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, which could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results.  We are providing this information as of June 29, 2015, and assume no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.