UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
22-3542636
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

165 Ludlow Avenue
Northvale, New Jersey
 
 
07647
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)


Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)

Chris Dick, President
165 Ludlow Avenue
Northvale, New Jersey 07647
(Name and address of agent for service)

(201) 750-2646
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.

 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
     
 
Non-accelerated filer  o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company x

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
Title of Securities to
be registered
 
Amount to be
registered(1)
   
Proposed maximum
offering price per
share(2)
   
Proposed maximum
aggregate offering
price(2)
   
Amount of
registration fee(3)
 
                         
Common Stock
    8,000,000     $ 0.1065     $ 852,000     $ 60.75  
TOTAL
    8,000,000     $ 0.1065     $ 852,000     $ 60.75  

(1) This registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of common stock which become issuable under this Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the registrant’s receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the outstanding shares of registrant’s common stock.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, based on the average of the bid and asked prices of the registrant’s common stock as reported by the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board on December 18, 2009.
(3) Calculated pursuant to General Instruction E on Form S-8.

 
 
 

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants in the Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  Such documents need not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission either as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Securities Act Rule 424 in accordance with the Note to Part I of Form S-8.  These documents, and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.      Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents are incorporated by reference into this registration statement when filed by the registrant:

(a)           the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2009

(b)           the registrant’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 19, 2009 and November 16, 2009;

(c)           the registrant’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 2009, September 21, 2009, September 25, 2009, September 30, 2009, November 5, 2009 and December 2, 2009;

(d)           all documents filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents; and

(e)           the description of the registrant’s common stock included in the Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2000.

Item 4.      Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5.      Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6.      Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Pursuant to authority conferred by Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), the registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, contains a provision providing that the personal liability of a director is eliminated to the fullest extent provided by the DGCL.  The effect of this provision is that no director of the registrant is personally liable to the registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for (i) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the registrant or its stockholders, (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) unlawful payment of dividends as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL and (iv) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.  This provision is intended to eliminate the risk that a director might incur personal liability to the registrant or its stockholders for breach of duty of care.  The Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, also provides that if the Delaware Law is amended to eliminate or limit further the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the registrant shall be eliminated or limited, without further stockholder action.
 
 
 
 
 
Section 145 of the DGCL contains provisions permitting and, in some situations, requiring Delaware corporations, such as the registrant, to provide indemnification to their officers and directors for losses and litigation expenses incurred in connection with their service to the corporation in those capacities.  The by-laws of the registrant contain such a provision requiring that the registrant indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, as the law may be amended from time to time.

Item 7.      Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable

Item 8.      Exhibits.

Exhibit No.
Exhibit
   
5
Opinion regarding legality
10
Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan
23.1
Consent of Rosen Seymour Shapss Marlin & Company LLP
23.2
Consent of Richardson & Patel LLP (included in exhibit 5)

Item 9.      Undertakings

(a)           The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

(b)           That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time to be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(c)           To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(d)           The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for puposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be th initial bona fide offering thereof.

(e)           Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 
 
 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Northvale, New Jersey on this 18 th day of December 2009.

 
ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
 
       
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Chris Dick
 
   
Chris Dick, President
 
       
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Carter Ward
 
   
Carter Ward, Chief Financial Officer
 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

December 18, 2009
   
     
     
 
/s/ Chris Dick
 
 
Chris Dick
 
 
President and Director
 
December 18, 2009
   
     
     
 
/s/ Carter Ward
 
 
Carter Ward
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
December 18, 2009
   
     
     
 
/s/ Jerry Treppel
 
 
Jerry Treppel
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
December 18, 2009
   
     
     
 
/s/ Ashok G. Nigalaye
 
 
Ashok G. Nigalaye
 
 
Director
 
December 18, 2009
   
     
     
 
/s/ Jeenanne Narine
 
 
Jeenanne Narine
 
 
Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 18, 2009
   
     
     
 
/s/ Ram Potti
 
 
Ram Potti
 
 
Director
 
December 18, 2009
   
     
     
 
/s/ Barry Dash
 
 
Barry Dash, Ph.D.
 
 
Director
 
December 18, 2009
   
     
     
 
/s/ Jeffrey Whitnell
 
 
Jeffrey Whitnell
 
 
Director
 
Exhibit 5
 
 
RICHARDSON & PATEL LLP
10900 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 500
Los Angeles, California 90024
Telephone (310) 208-1182
Facsimile (310) 208-1154

December 18, 2009

Board of Directors
Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc.
165 Ludlow Avenue
Northvale, New Jersey 07647

 
Re:
Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan

Members of the Board of Directors:

We have acted as counsel to Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-8 of shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (the “Shares”), which may be issued as awards in connection with the above-referenced plan (the “Plan”).  In connection with that registration, we have reviewed the proceedings of the board of directors of the Company relating to the registration and proposed issuance of the Shares, the Articles of Incorporation of the Company and all amendments thereto, the bylaws of the Company and all amendments thereto, and such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary to the rendering of the following opinion.

Based upon that review, it is our opinion that the Shares, when issued in conformance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion to cover, and accordingly we express no opinion as to, the application of the securities or blue sky laws of the various states as to the issuance and sale of the Shares.

We consent to the use of this opinion in the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration of the Shares.

 
RICHARDSON & PATEL LLP
 
     
 
/s/ Richardson & Patel LLP
 
Exhibit 10.1

ELITE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2009 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

As Adopted November 24, 2009


1.             PURPOSE.
 
The purpose of this Plan is to provide incentives to attract, retain and motivate eligible persons whose present and potential contributions are important to the success of the Company, and its Parent and Subsidiaries (if any), by offering them an opportunity to participate in the Company’s future performance through awards of Options, the right to purchase Common Stock and Stock Bonuses.  Capitalized terms not defined in the text are defined in Section 2.

2.             DEFINITIONS.

As used in this Plan, the following terms will have the following meanings:

“ AWARD ” means any award under this Plan, including any Option, Stock Award or Stock Bonus.

“ AWARD AGREEMENT ” means, with respect to each Award, the signed written agreement between the Company and the Participant setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award.

“ BOARD ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“ CAUSE ” means any cause, as defined by applicable law, for the termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.

“ CLOSING PRICE ” means the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock as posted by Google.com, Yahoo.com, Bloomberg.com or any similar data source.

“ CODE ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“ COMPANY ” means Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation.
 
 
 
 
 
“ COMMITTEE ” means the Company’s Compensation Committee which will administer and interpret the Plan as more particularly described in Section 5 of the Plan; provided, however , that the term Committee will refer to the Board of Directors if the Compensation Committee is dissolved or ceases to exist for any reason.

“ DISABILITY ” means a disability, whether temporary or permanent, partial or total, as determined by the Committee.

“ EXCHANGE ACT ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“ EXERCISE PRICE ” means the price at which a holder of an Option may purchase the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option.

“ FAIR MARKET VALUE ” means, as of any date, the value of a share of the Company’s Common Stock determined as follows:

(a)           if such Common Stock is publicly traded and is then listed on a national securities exchange, its Closing Price on the date of determination on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading;

(b)           if such Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market, its Closing Price on the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market, respectively, on the date of determination;

(c)           if such Common Stock is publicly traded but is not listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on the date of determination;

(d)           if none of the foregoing is applicable, by the Committee in good faith.
 
“ INSIDER ” means an officer or director of the Company or any other person whose transactions in the Company’s Common Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

“ OPTION ” means an award of an option to purchase Shares pursuant to Section 6.

“ PARENT ” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if each of such corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

“ PARTICIPANT ” means a person who receives an Award under this Plan.

“ PERFORMANCE FACTORS ” means the factors selected by the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, from among the following measures to determine whether the performance goals applicable to Awards have been satisfied:

 
(a)
Net revenue and/or net revenue growth;
     
 
(b)
Earnings before income taxes and amortization and/or earnings before income taxes and amortization growth;
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c)
Operating income and/or operating income growth;
     
 
(d)
Net income and/or net income growth;
     
 
(e)
Earnings per share and/or earnings per share growth;
     
 
(f)
Total stockholder return and/or total stockholder return growth;
     
 
(g)
Return on equity;
     
 
(h)
Operating cash flow return on income;
     
 
(i)
Adjusted operating cash flow return on income;
     
 
(j)
Economic value added; and
     
 
(k)
Individual business objectives.

“ PERFORMANCE PERIOD ” means the period of service determined by the Committee, not to exceed five years, during which years of service or performance is to be measured for Stock Awards or Stock Bonuses, if such Awards are restricted.

“ PLAN ” means this Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

“ PURCHASE PRICE ” means the price at which the Participant of a Stock Award may purchase the Shares.

“ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“ SECURITIES ACT ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“ SHARES ” means shares of the Company’s Common Stock reserved for issuance under this Plan, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 3 and 18, and any successor security.

“ STOCK AWARD ” means an award of Shares pursuant to Section 7.

“ STOCK BONUS ” means an award of Shares, or cash in lieu of Shares, pursuant to Section 8.

“ SUBSIDIARY ” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

“ TERMINATION ” or “ TERMINATED ” means, for purposes of this Plan with respect to a Participant, that the Participant has for any reason ceased to provide services as an employee, officer, director, consultant, independent contractor or advisor to the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  An employee will not be deemed to have ceased to provide services in the case of (i) sick leave, (ii) military leave, or (iii) any other leave of absence approved by the Company, provided that such leave is for a period of not more than 90 days, unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute or unless provided otherwise pursuant to a formal policy adopted from time to time by the Company and issued and promulgated to employees in writing.  In the case of any employee on an approved leave of absence, the Committee may make such provisions respecting suspension of vesting of the Award while on leave from the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary as it may deem appropriate, except that in no event may an Option be exercised after the expiration of the term set forth in the Option agreement.  The Committee will have sole discretion to determine whether a Participant has ceased to provide services and the effective date on which the Participant ceased to provide services (the “Termination Date”).
 
 
 
 

3.             SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

3.1            Number of Shares Available .  Subject to Sections 3.2 and 18, the total aggregate number of Shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to this Plan, shall be 8,000,000 Shares and will include Shares that are subject to:  (a) issuance upon exercise of an Option but cease to be subject to such Option for any reason other than exercise of such Option; (b) an Award granted hereunder but forfeited or repurchased by the Company at the original issue price; and (c) an Award that otherwise terminates without Shares being issued.  At all times the Company shall reserve and keep available a sufficient number of Shares as shall be required to satisfy the requirements of all outstanding Options granted under this Plan and all other outstanding but unvested Awards granted under this Plan.  At all times the Company shall reserve and keep available a sufficient number of Shares as shall be required to satisfy the requirements of all outstanding Options granted under this Plan and all other outstanding but unvested Awards granted under this Plan.

3.2            Adjustment of Shares .  In the event that the number of outstanding shares is changed by a stock dividend, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, subdivision, combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the Company without consideration, then (a) the number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan, (b) the Exercise Prices of and number of Shares subject to outstanding Options, and (c) the number of Shares subject to other outstanding Awards will be proportionately adjusted, subject to any required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company and compliance with applicable securities laws; provided, however, that fractions of a Share will not be issued but will either be replaced by a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of such fraction of a Share or will be rounded up to the nearest whole Share, as determined by the Committee.

4.             ELIGIBILITY.

ISOs (as defined in Section 6 below) may be granted only to employees (including officers and directors who are also employees) of the Company or of a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  All other Awards may be granted to employees, officers, directors, consultants, independent contractors and advisors of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, provided such consultants, independent contractors and advisors render bona-fide services not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction or promotion of the Company’s securities.  A person may be granted more than one Award under this Plan.

5.            ADMINISTRATION.

5.1            Committee .

(a)           The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Company’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”).
 
(b)           In granting Awards, the Committee shall act by at least a majority of its members in office.  The Committee may act either by vote at a meeting or by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting.

(c)           If the Board dissolves the Committee or if the Committee ceases to exist for any reason, the Board itself will administer and interpret the Plan and take such other actions as the Committee is authorized to take hereunder; provided that the Board may take such actions hereunder in the same manner as the Board may take other actions under the Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws of the Company generally.
 
 
 
 
 
5.2            Committee Authority .  Without limitation, the Committee will have the authority to:

(a)      construe and interpret this Plan, any Award Agreement and any other agreement or document executed pursuant to this Plan;

(b)           prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan or any Award;

(c)           select persons to receive Awards;

(d)           determine the form and terms of Awards;

(e)           determine the number of Shares or other consideration subject to Awards;

(f)           determine whether Awards will be granted singly, in combination with, in tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to, other Awards under this Plan or any other incentive or compensation plan of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company;

(g)           grant waivers of Plan or Award conditions;

(h)           determine the vesting, exercisability and payment of Awards;

(i)           correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement;

(j)           determine whether an Award has been earned; and

(k)           make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan.

5.3            Committee Discretion .  Any determination made by the Committee with respect to any Award will be made at the time of grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of this Plan or Award, at any later time, and such determination will be final and binding on the Company and on all persons having an interest in any Award under this Plan.  The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant an Award under this Plan to Participants who are not Insiders of the Company.  No member of the Committee shall be personally liable for any action taken or decision made in good faith relating to this Plan, and all members of the Committee shall be fully protected and indemnified to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law by the Company in respect to any such action, determination, or interpretation.

6.             OPTIONS.

The Committee may grant Options to eligible persons and will determine whether such Options will be Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of the Code (“ISO”) or Nonqualified Stock Options (“NQSOs”), the number of Shares subject to the Option, the Exercise Price of the Option, the period during which the Option may be exercised, and all other terms and conditions of the Option, subject to the following:
 
 
 
 
 
6.1            Form of Option Grant .  Each Option granted under this Plan will be evidenced by an Award Agreement which will expressly identify the Option as an ISO or an NQSO (hereinafter referred to as the “Stock Option Agreement”), and will be in such form and contain such provisions (which need not be the same for each Participant) as the Committee may from time to time approve, and which will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.

6.2            Date of Grant .  The date of grant of an Option will be the date on which the Committee makes the determination to grant such Option, unless otherwise specified by the Committee.  The Stock Option Agreement and a copy of this Plan will be delivered to the Participant within a reasonable time after the granting of the Option.

6.3            Exercise Period .  Options may be exercisable within the times or upon the events determined by the Committee as set forth in the Stock Option Agreement governing such Option; provided, however, that no Option will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted; and provided further that no ISO granted to a person who directly or by attribution owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company (“Ten Percent Stockholder”) will be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date the ISO is granted.  The Committee also may provide for Options to become exercisable at one time or from time to time, periodically or otherwise, in such number of Shares or percentage of Shares as the Committee determines, provided, however, that in all events a Participant will be entitled to exercise an Option at the rate of at least 20% per year over five years from the date of grant, subject to reasonable conditions such as continued employment; and further provided that an Option granted to a Participant who is an officer or director may become fully exercisable, subject to reasonable conditions such as continued employment, at any time or during any period established by the Company.

6.4            Exercise Price .  The Exercise Price of an Option will be determined by the Committee when the Option is granted and may be not less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant; provided that the Exercise Price of any ISO granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder will not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant.  Payment for the Shares purchased may be made in accordance with Section 9 of this Plan.

6.5            Method of Exercise .  Options may be exercised only by delivery to the Company of a written stock option exercise agreement  (the “Exercise Agreement”) in a form approved by the Committee, (which need not be the same for each Participant), stating the number of Shares being purchased, the restrictions imposed on the Shares purchased under such Exercise Agreement, if any, and such representations and agreements regarding the Participant’s investment intent and access to information and other matters, if any, as may be required or desirable by the Company to comply with applicable securities laws, together with payment in full of the Exercise Price for the number of Shares being purchased.

6.6            Termination .  Notwithstanding the exercise periods set forth in the Stock Option Agreement, exercise of an Option will always be subject to the following:

(a)           If the Participant’s service is Terminated for any reason except death or Disability, then the Participant may exercise such Participant’s Options only to the extent that such Options would have been exercisable upon the Termination Date no later than three (3) months after the Termination Date (or such longer time period not exceeding five (5) years as may be determined by the Committee, with any exercise beyond three (3) months after the Termination Date deemed to be an NQSO).
 
 
 
 

(b)           If the Participant’s service is Terminated because of the Participant’s death or Disability (or the Participant dies within three (3) months after a Termination other than for Cause or because of Participant’s Disability), then the Participant’s Options may be exercised only to the extent that such Options would have been exercisable by the Participant on the Termination Date and must be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s legal representative) no later than twelve (12) months after the Termination Date (or such longer time period not exceeding five (5) years as may be determined by the Committee, with any such exercise beyond (i) three (3) months after the Termination Date when the Termination is for any reason other than the Participant’s death or Disability, or (ii) twelve (12) months after the Termination Date when the Termination is for Participant’s death or Disability, deemed to be an NQSO).

(c)           Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph 6.6(a) above, if the Participant’s service is Terminated for Cause, neither the Participant, the Participant’s estate nor such other person who may then hold the Option shall be entitled to exercise any Option with respect to any Shares whatsoever, after Termination, whether or not after Termination the Participant may receive payment from the Company or a Subsidiary for vacation pay, for services rendered prior to Termination, for services rendered for the day on which Termination occurs, for salary in lieu of notice, or for any other benefits.  For the purpose of this paragraph, Termination shall be deemed to occur on the date when the Company dispatches notice or advice to the Participant that his service is Terminated.

6.7            Limitations on Exercise .  The Committee may specify a reasonable minimum number of Shares that may be purchased on any exercise of an Option, provided that such minimum number will not prevent the Participant from exercising the Option for the full number of Shares for which it is then exercisable.

6.8            Limitations on ISO .  The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of Shares with respect to which ISO are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or under any other incentive stock option plan of the Company, Parent or Subsidiary of the Company) will not exceed $100,000.  If the Fair Market Value of Shares on the date of grant with respect to which ISO are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, then the Options for the first $100,000 worth of Shares to become exercisable in such calendar year will be ISO and the Options for the amount in excess of $100,000 that become exercisable in that calendar year will be NQSOs.  In the event that the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder are amended after the Effective Date of this Plan to provide for a different limit on the Fair Market Value of Shares permitted to be subject to ISO, such different limit will be automatically incorporated herein and will apply to any Options granted after the effective date of such amendment.

6.9            Modification, Extension or Renewal .  The Committee may modify, extend or renew outstanding Options and authorize the grant of new Options in substitution therefore, provided that any such action may not, without the written consent of a Participant, impair any of such Participant’s rights under any Option previously granted.  Any outstanding ISO that is modified, extended, renewed or otherwise altered will be treated in accordance with Section 424(h) of the Code.  The Committee may reduce the Exercise Price of outstanding Options without the consent of Participants affected by a written notice to them; provided, however, that the Exercise Price may not be reduced below the minimum Exercise Price that would be permitted under Section 6.4 of this Plan for Options granted on the date the action is taken to reduce the Exercise Price.
 
 
 
 
 
6.10          No Disqualification .  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, no term of this Plan relating to ISO will be interpreted, amended or altered, nor will any discretion or authority granted under this Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify this Plan under Section 422 of the Code or, without the consent of the Participant affected, to disqualify any ISO under Section 422 of the Code.

7.             STOCK AWARD.

A Stock Award is an offer by the Company to sell to an eligible person Shares that may or may not be subject to restrictions.  The Committee will determine to whom an offer will be made, the number of Shares the person may purchase, the price to be paid (the “Purchase Price”), the restrictions to which the Shares will be subject, if any, and all other terms and conditions of the Stock Award, subject to the following:

7.1            Form of Stock Award .  All purchases under a Stock Award made pursuant to this Plan will be evidenced by an Award Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) that will be in such form (which need not be the same for each Participant) as the Committee will from time to time approve, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.  The offer of a Stock Award will be accepted by the Participant’s execution and delivery of the Stock Purchase Agreement and payment for the Shares to the Company in accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement.

7.2            Purchase Price .  The Purchase Price of Shares sold pursuant to a Stock Award will be determined by the Committee on the date the Stock Award is granted and may not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the grant date, provided, however, that the number of Shares issued for the payment of employee and officer salaries or directors’ fees will be computed using the “average daily Closing Price” which is defined as the simple average of the Closing Price of each trading day in the quarter or other applicable time period for which payment is due.  Payment of the Purchase Price must be made in accordance with Section 9 of this Plan.

7.3            Terms of Stock Awards .  Stock Awards may be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose.  These restrictions may be based upon completion of a specified number of years of service with the Company or upon completion of the performance goals as set out in advance in the Participant’s individual Stock Purchase Agreement.  Stock Awards may vary from Participant to Participant and between groups of Participants.  Prior to the grant of a Stock Award subject to restrictions, the Committee shall:  (a) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for the Stock Award; (b) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure performance goals, if any; and (c) determine the number of Shares that may be awarded to the Participant.  Prior to the transfer of any Stock Award, the Committee shall determine the extent to which such Stock Award has been earned.  Performance Periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Stock Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and have different performance goals and other criteria.

7.4            Termination During Performance Period .  If a Participant is Terminated during a Performance Period for any reason, then such Participant will be entitled to payment (whether in Shares, cash or otherwise) with respect to the Stock Award only to the extent earned as of the date of Termination in accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

8.           STOCK BONUSES.

8.1            Awards of Stock Bonuses .  A Stock Bonus is an award of Shares for extraordinary services rendered to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  A Stock Bonus will be awarded pursuant to an Award Agreement (the “Stock Bonus Agreement”) that will be in such form (which need not be the same for each Participant) as the Committee will from time to time approve, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.  A Stock Bonus may be awarded upon satisfaction of such performance goals as are set out in advance in the Participant’s individual Award Agreement (the “Performance Stock Bonus Agreement”) that will be in such form (which need not be the same for each Participant) as the Committee will from time to time approve, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.  Stock Bonuses may vary from Participant to Participant and between groups of Participants, and may be based upon the achievement of the Company, Parent or Subsidiary and/or individual performance factors or upon such other criteria as the Committee may determine.
 
 
 
 
 
8.2            Terms of Stock Bonuses .  The Committee will determine the number of Shares to be awarded to the Participant.  If the Stock Bonus is being earned upon the satisfaction of performance goals pursuant to a Performance Stock Bonus Agreement, then the Committee will: (a) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for each Stock Bonus; (b) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure the performance, if any; and (c) determine the number of Shares that may be awarded to the Participant.  Prior to the payment of any Stock Bonus, the Committee shall determine the extent to which such Stock Bonuses have been earned.  Performance Periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Stock Bonuses that are subject to different Performance Periods and different performance goals and other criteria.  The number of Shares may be fixed or may vary in accordance with such performance goals and criteria as may be determined by the Committee.  The Committee may adjust the performance goals applicable to the Stock Bonuses to take into account changes in law and accounting or tax rules and to make such adjustments as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events or circumstances to avoid windfalls or hardships.

8.3            Form of Payment .  The earned portion of a Stock Bonus may be paid to the Participant by the Company either currently or on a deferred basis, with such interest or dividend equivalent, if any, as the Committee may determine.  Payment of an interest or dividend equivalent (if any) may be made in the form of cash or whole Shares or a combination thereof, either in a lump sum payment or in installments, all as the Committee will determine.

9.             PAYMENT FOR SHARE PURCHASES.

Payment for Shares purchased pursuant to this Plan may be made in cash (by check) or, where expressly approved for the Participant by the Committee and where permitted by law:

(a)           by cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the Participant;

(b)           by surrender of shares that either: (1) have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months and have been paid for within the meaning of SEC Rule 144; or (2) were obtained by the Participant in the public market;

(c)           by waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Participant for services rendered;
 

(d)           with respect only to purchases upon exercise of an Option, and provided that a public market for the Company’s stock exists:
 
 
 
 
 
(1)           through a “same day sale” commitment from the Participant and a broker-dealer that is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers (an “NASD Dealer”) whereby the Participant irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and to sell a portion of the Shares so purchased to pay for the Exercise Price, and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such Shares to forward the Exercise Price directly to the Company; or

                                (2)           through a “margin” commitment from the Participant and a NASD Dealer whereby the Participant irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and to pledge the Shares so purchased to the NASD Dealer in a margin account as security for a loan from the NASD Dealer in the amount of the Exercise Price, and whereby the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of such Shares to forward the Exercise Price directly to the Company; or

(f)           by any combination of the foregoing.

10.           WITHHOLDING TAXES.

10.1          Withholding Generally .  Whenever Shares are to be issued in satisfaction of Awards granted under this Plan, the Company may require the Participant to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for such Shares.  Whenever, under this Plan, payments in satisfaction of Awards are to be made in cash, such payment will be net of an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements.

10.2          Stock Withholding .  When, under applicable tax laws, a participant incurs tax liability in connection with the exercise or vesting of any Award that is subject to tax withholding and the Participant is obligated to pay the Company the amount required to be withheld, the Committee may allow the Participant to satisfy the minimum withholding tax obligation by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined.  All elections by a Participant to have Shares withheld for this purpose will be made in accordance with the requirements established by the Committee and will be in writing in a form acceptable to the Committee.

11.           PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP.

11.1          Voting and Dividends .  No Participant will have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to any Shares until the Shares are issued to the Participant.  After Shares are issued to the Participant, the Participant will be a stockholder and will have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares, including the right to vote and receive all dividends or other distributions made or paid with respect to such Shares; provided, that if such Shares are issued pursuant to a Stock Award with restrictions, then any new, additional or different securities the Participant may become entitled to receive with respect to such Shares by virtue of a stock dividend, stock split or any other change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company will be subject to the same restrictions as the Stock Award; provided, further, that the Participant will have no right to retain such stock dividends or stock distributions with respect to Shares that are repurchased at the Participant’s Purchase Price or Exercise Price pursuant to Section 13.

11.2          Financial Statements .  The Company will provide financial statements to each Participant prior to such Participant’s purchase of Shares under this Plan, and to each Participant annually during the period such Participant has Awards outstanding; provided, however, the Company will not be required to provide such financial statements to Participants whose services in connection with the Company assure them access to equivalent information.
 
 
 
 

12.           NON-TRANSFERABILITY.

Awards of Shares granted under this Plan, and any interest therein, will not be transferable or assignable by the Participant, and may not be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  Awards of Options granted under this Plan, and any interest therein, will not be transferable or assignable by the Participant, and may not be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution..  During the lifetime of the Participant an Award will be exercisable only by the Participant.  During the lifetime of the Participant, any elections with respect to an Award may be made only by the Participant unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement with respect to Awards that are not ISOs.

13.           CERTIFICATES.

All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered under this Plan will be subject to such stop transfer orders, legends and other restrictions as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable, including restrictions under any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law, or any rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC or any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may be listed or quoted.

14.           ESCROW; PLEDGE OF SHARES.

To enforce any restrictions on a Participant’s Shares, the Committee may require the Participant to deposit all certificates representing Shares, together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer approved by the Committee appropriately endorsed in blank, with the Company or an agent designated by the Company to hold in escrow until such restrictions have lapsed or terminated, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends referencing such restrictions to be placed on the certificates.

15.           EXCHANGE AND BUYOUT OF AWARDS.

The Committee may, at any time or from time to time, authorize the Company, with the consent of the respective Participants, to issue new Awards in exchange for the surrender and cancellation of any or all outstanding Awards.  The Committee may at any time buy from a Participant an Award previously granted with payment in cash, Shares or other consideration, based on such terms and conditions as the Committee and the Participant may agree.

16.           SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.

An Award will not be effective unless such Award is in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations of any governmental body, and the requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted, as they are in effect on the date of grant of the Award and also on the date of exercise or other issuance. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, the Company will have no obligation to issue or deliver certificates for Shares under this Plan prior to: (a) obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and/or (b) completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares under any state or federal law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable.  The Company will be under no obligation to register the Shares with the SEC or to effect compliance with the registration, qualification or listing requirements of any state securities laws, stock exchange or automated quotation system, and the Company will have no liability for any inability or failure to do so.
 
 
 
 

17.           NO OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY.

Nothing in this Plan or any Award granted under this Plan will confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company to terminate Participant’s employment or other relationship at any time, with or without cause.

18.           CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.

18.1          Assumption or Replacement of Awards by Successor .  In the event of (a) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (b) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than a merger or consolidation with a wholly-owned subsidiary, a reincorporation of the Company in a different jurisdiction, or other transaction in which there is no substantial change in the stockholders of the Company or their relative stock holdings and the Awards granted under this Plan are assumed, converted or replaced by the successor corporation, which assumption will be binding on all Participants), (c) a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but after which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger (other than any stockholder that merges, or which owns or controls another corporation that merges, with the Company in such merger) cease to own their shares or other equity interest in the Company, (d) the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (e) the acquisition, sale, or transfer of more than 50% of the outstanding shares or the Company by tender offer or similar transaction, any or all outstanding Awards may be assumed, converted or replaced by the successor corporation (if any), which assumption, conversion or replacement will be binding on all Participants.  In the alternative, the successor corporation may substitute equivalent Awards or provide substantially similar consideration to Participants as was provided to stockholders (after taking into account the existing provisions of the Awards).  The successor corporation may also issue, in place of outstanding Shares of the Company held by the Participant, substantially similar shares or other property subject to repurchase restrictions no less favorable to the Participant.  In the event such successor corporation (if any) refuses to assume or substitute Awards, as provided above, pursuant to a transaction described in this Subsection 18.1, (i) the vesting of any or all Awards granted pursuant to this Plan will accelerate upon a transaction described in this Section 18 and (ii) any or all Options granted pursuant to this Plan will become exercisable in full prior to the consummation of such event at such time and on such conditions as the Committee determines.  If such Options are not exercised prior to the consummation of the corporate transaction, they shall terminate at such time as determined by the Committee.

18.2          Other Treatment of Awards .  Subject to any greater rights granted to Participants under the foregoing provisions of this Section 18, in the event of the occurrence of any transaction described in Section 18.1, any outstanding Awards will be treated as provided in the applicable agreement or plan of merger, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, or sale of assets.

18.3          Assumption of Awards by the Company .  The Company, from time to time, also may substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by another company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company or otherwise, by either; (a) granting an Award under this Plan in substitution of such other company’s award; or (b) assuming such award as if it had been granted under this Plan if the terms of such assumed award could be applied to an Award granted under this Plan.  Such substitution or assumption will be permissible if the holder of the substituted or assumed award would have been eligible to be granted an Award under this Plan if the other company had applied the rules of this Plan to such grant.  In the event the Company assumes an award granted by another company, the terms and conditions of such award will remain unchanged (except that the exercise price and the number and nature of Shares issuable upon exercise of any such option will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code).  In the event the Company elects to grant a new Option rather than assuming an existing option, such new Option may be granted with a similarly adjusted Exercise Price.
 
 
 
 

19.           ADOPTION AND STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.

This Plan will become effective on the date on which it is adopted by the Board (the “Effective Date”).  Upon the Effective Date, the Committee may grant Awards pursuant to this Plan.  The Company intends to seek stockholder approval of the Plan within twelve (12) months after the date this Plan is adopted by the Board; provided, however, if the Company fails to obtain stockholder approval of the Plan during such 12-month period, pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, any Option granted as an ISO at any time under the Plan will not qualify as an ISO within the meaning of the Code and will be deemed to be an NQSO.

20.           TERM OF PLAN/GOVERNING LAW.

Unless earlier terminated as provided herein, this Plan will terminate ten (10) years from the date this Plan is adopted by the Board or, if earlier, the date of stockholder approval.  This Plan and all agreements thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.  Any Awards outstanding under the Plan at the time of termination of the Plan shall remain in effect until such Award shall have been exercised or shall have expired in accordance with its terms.

21.           AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN.

The Board may at any time terminate or amend this Plan in any respect, including without limitation amendment of any form of Award Agreement or instrument to be executed pursuant to this Plan; provided, however, that the Board will not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, amend this Plan in any manner that requires such stockholder approval.

22.           NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN.

Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board, the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval, nor any provision of this Plan will be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such additional compensation arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options and bonuses otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

23.           ACTION BY COMMITTEE.

Any action permitted or required to be taken by the Committee or any decision or determination permitted or required to be made by the Committee pursuant to this Plan shall be taken or made in the Committee’s sole and absolute discretion.

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Exhibit 23
 
GRAPHIC      
     
ROSEN SEYMOUR SHAPSS MARTIN & COMPANY LLP
Certified Public Accountants & Profitability Consultants   GRAPHIC
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc., pertaining to 8,000,000 shares of Common Stock of Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of our report dated June 29, 2009, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Elite Pharamceuticals, Inc., included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended March 31, 2009.
 
 
 
    GRAPHIC  
       
    CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS  
 
New York, New York
December 15, 2009
 
 
 
 
 
GRAPHIC