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): November 19, 2015

 

 

AVALANCHE BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36579   20-5258327

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File No.)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1035 O’Brien Drive, Suite A

Menlo Park, CA 94025

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 272-6269

 

 

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:

 

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

 

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

 

¨ Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 14d–2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d–2(b))

 

¨ 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.

(c), (d)

Paul B. Cleveland

The Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. (the “ Company ”) announced today that Paul B. Cleveland has been appointed as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President and as a member of the Board, effective December 9, 2015 or at such later date determined by mutual agreement and approved by the Board (the “ Commencement Date ”). Mr. Cleveland will fill the vacancy on the Board created by the resignation of Thomas W. Chalberg, Jr., Ph.D. earlier this year. Mr. Cleveland will serve as a Class I Director with a term expiring at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Cleveland will also assume the duties of the Company’s principal financial officer on an interim basis from the Commencement Date until such time as the Company appoints a Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Cleveland, age 59, served as the Chief Executive Officer and President and as a director of Celladon Corporation, a publicly held cardiovascular gene therapy company (“ Celladon ”), from May 2015 to November 2015, and as the President and Chief Financial Officer of Celladon from June 2014 to May 2015. From February 2013 to August 2013, Mr. Cleveland served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Chief Financial Officer of Aragon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private biotechnology company focused on the development of small-molecule drugs for the treatment of hormone-dependent cancers. From April 2011 to February 2013, Mr. Cleveland served as General Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Mohr Davidow Ventures. From January 2006 to February 2011, Mr. Cleveland served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Financial Officer of Affymax, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. From April 2004 to December 2005, he served as a managing director at Integrated Finance, Ltd., an investment bank. From September 1996 to April 2003, Mr. Cleveland served as a managing director at investment bank J.P.Morgan Chase and Co. and a predecessor firm, Hambrecht & Quist. From January 1993 to September 1996, Mr. Cleveland was a partner at Cooley LLP; from December 1988 to December 1992, he was a corporate attorney at Sidley Austin LLP; and from September 1981 to November 1988, he was a corporate attorney at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Sangamo BioSciences, Inc., a publicly held biopharmaceutical company, since November 2008, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Alder BioPharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly held biopharmaceutical company, since August 2015. Mr. Cleveland received a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.

There are no family relationships between Mr. Cleveland and any director or executive officer of the Company, or any person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Cleveland and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected as Chief Executive Officer and President. Mr. Cleveland has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction or currently proposed transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

In connection with his appointment as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, Mr. Cleveland and the Company have entered into an at-will employment agreement dated November 19, 2015 (the “ Offer Letter ”). Under the terms of the Offer Letter, Mr. Cleveland will receive an annual base salary of $540,000 and will be eligible for an annual target bonus equal to 55% of his base salary earned during the bonus year based on the attainment of certain individual and corporate performance objectives to be determined by the Board. Mr. Cleveland also will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $50,000


to cover his moving, relocation and travel expenses, subject to repayment in full to the Company if he voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company, or is terminated for Cause (as such term is defined in his Change in Control and Severance Agreement), within 12 months of the Commencement Date.

In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Offer Letter, on the Commencement Date the Company will grant Mr. Cleveland a stock option to purchase 910,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, pursuant to the inducement grant exception under NASDAQ Rule 5635(c)(4) and not pursuant to the Company’s 2014 Equity Inventive Award Plan or any equity incentive plan of the Company, as an inducement that is material to Mr. Cleveland in connection with his employment with the Company (the “ Option ”). The Option will have a per share exercise price equal to the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on NASDAQ on the Commencement Date. The Option will vest as to 25% of the total shares subject to the Option on the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, and as to 1/48 of the total shares subject to the Option each month thereafter, so that the Option will be fully vested and exercisable as of the fourth anniversary of the Commencement Date.

The Company will also enter into its standard proprietary information and invention assignment agreement with Mr. Cleveland.

Concurrently with the execution of the Offer Letter, the Company and Mr. Cleveland entered into a Change in Control and Severance Agreement (the “ Severance Agreement ”), to take effect as of the Commencement Date. Pursuant to the Severance Agreement, in the event of a termination without Cause or a Constructive Termination (each as defined in the Severance Agreement) more than three months prior to a Change in Control (as defined in the Severance Agreement) or more than twelve months after a Change in Control, Mr. Cleveland will be entitled to (i) twelve months of base salary and (ii) up to twelve months of continued healthcare coverage. In the event of a termination without Cause or a Constructive Termination, in each case, within the period commencing three months prior to a Change in Control and ending twelve months following a Change in Control, Mr. Cleveland will be entitled to (i) an amount equal to 1.5 times the sum of (x) his base salary and (y) target annual bonus for the year in which such termination occurs, payable in a lump sum, (ii) up to 18 months of continued healthcare coverage and (iii) the accelerated vesting of all of his outstanding equity awards. The benefits described above are conditioned upon Mr. Cleveland executing and not revoking a release of claims against the Company.

In connection with Mr. Cleveland’s appointment, Hans P. Hull will no longer serve as the Company’s interim Chief Executive Officer and President, effective as of the Commencement Date. Mr. Hull will remain with the Company as the Company’s Senior Vice President, Business Operations.

The foregoing descriptions of the Offer Letter and Severance Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements, copies of which are filed hereto, respectively, as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2. The foregoing description of the Option is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of inducement stock option agreement, a copy of which is filed hereto as Exhibit 10.3.


Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On November 20, 2015, the Company issued a press release (the “ Press Release ”) announcing, among other matters, the Board’s appointment of Mr. Cleveland as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, effective December 9, 2015 or at a later date determined by mutual agreement and approved by the Board. A copy of the Press Release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference in this Item 7.01.

The information set forth in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto is intended to be furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any other filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.1    Offer Letter, dated November 19, 2015, by and between Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. and Paul Cleveland.
10.2    Change in Control and Severance Agreement, dated November 19, 2015, by and between Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. and Paul Cleveland.
10.3    Form of Inducement Stock Option Agreement.
99.1    Press Release, dated November 20, 2015.


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.

 

Date: November 20, 2015       AVALANCHE BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.
      By:  

/s/ Hans P. Hull

        Hans P. Hull, Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.1    Offer Letter, dated November 19, 2015, by and between Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. and Paul Cleveland.
10.2    Change in Control and Severance Agreement, dated November 19, 2015, by and between Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. and Paul Cleveland.
10.3    Form of Inducement Stock Option Agreement.
99.1    Press Release, dated November 20, 2015.

Exhibit 10.1

 

LOGO   

1035 O’Brien Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Tel +1-650-272-6269 | Fax +1-650-362-1908

November 19, 2015

Mr. Paul Cleveland

c/o Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc.

1035 O’Brien Drive

Menlo Park, California 94025

Re: Employment Terms for Chief Executive Officer

Dear Paul,

This letter agreement (the “Agreement”) memorializes the employment terms for your anticipated hire by Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. (the “Company”) in the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company (“CEO”), as well as your appointment as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). These terms will become effective on November 20, 2015. Your first day of work as CEO, the first day of your term as a member of the Board, will be December 9, 2015 or a later date determined by mutual agreement and approved by the Board (as applicable, the “Hire Date”).

Effective as of the Hire Date, your employment terms will be as follows:

 

1. Duties; Reporting Relationship; Office Location.

In the position of CEO, you will serve in an executive capacity and will be required to perform the duties of CEO as commonly associated with this position, including primary responsibility for overall management of the Company and its operations, and as may be assigned to you by the Board from time to time. You will report to the Board, and will work at the Company’s corporate headquarters which are currently located in Menlo Park, California.

 

2. Compensation and Benefits.

Your base salary will be Five Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($540,000) annually, subject to payroll deductions and all required withholdings, representing full-time employment with the Company. Your salary will be paid in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule.

In addition, for each calendar year starting with 2016 you will be eligible to earn an annual performance bonus with a target bonus amount equal to fifty-five percent (55%) of your salary earned during the bonus year, provided that you are actively employed from the Hire Date through and including the date of bonus grants. Your annual bonus will be calculated based on attainment of individual goals (including corporate and personal objectives) to be determined by the Board. Bonus payments will be in the form of cash and will be granted entirely at the discretion of the Board. Any cash bonus payments will be less payroll deductions and all required withholdings.


LOGO   

1035 O’Brien Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Tel +1-650-272-6269 | Fax +1-650-362-1908

 

You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s general employee benefits in accordance with the terms, conditions and limitations of the benefit plans to the extent such plans have been established by the Company.

 

3. Relocation Expenses.

You will also be entitled to a one-time lump sum payment of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) to cover your moving and relocation expenses as well as your flights between San Diego and the Bay Area (the “Relocation Payment”). If you voluntarily terminate your employment (or are terminated for Cause as defined in the Change in Control and Severance Agreement) with Avalanche within twelve (12) months of your Hire Date, you will be required to repay the entire Relocation Payment. If you are involuntarily terminated, you will not be required to repay the Relocation Payment.

 

4. Stock Options.

In addition to the compensation and benefits described above, the Company will grant you, subject to the approval of the Board, a stock option to purchase Nine Hundred and Ten Thousand (910,000) shares of the Company’s common stock, with a per share exercise price equal to the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on your Hire Date. The foregoing stock option shall provide that 25% of the total option shares shall vest on the first anniversary of the Hire Date, and 1/48 of the total option shares shall vest each month thereafter so that all of the shares subject to the option are vested and exercisable on the fourth anniversary of the Hire Date. The Company shall file a registration statement on Form S-8 on or prior to the first anniversary of your Hire Date, registering the offer of the shares of the Company’s common stock subject to the foregoing stock option.

 

5. Confidentiality and Proprietary Information Obligations.

 

  (a) Company Policies and Proprietary Information Agreement. You will be required to sign the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Proprietary Information Agreement”).

 

  (b)

Adverse or Outside Business Activities. Throughout your employment with the Company, you may engage in civic, academic teaching and lectures, and not-for-profit activities and up to two for-profit boards (currently Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. and Alder Biopharmaceuticals Inc.) so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of your duties hereunder or present a conflict of interest with the Company. You may not engage in other employment or undertake any other commercial business activities unless you obtain the prior written consent of the Board. The Company may rescind its consent to your service as a director of all other corporations or participation in other business or public activities, if the


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1035 O’Brien Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Tel +1-650-272-6269 | Fax +1-650-362-1908

 

  Company, in its sole discretion, determines that such activities compromise or threaten to compromise the Company’s reputational or business interests or conflict with your duties to the Company. In addition, throughout the term of your employment with the Company, you agree not to, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company, own, manage, operate, join, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, or be connected as an officer, director, executive, partner, employee, principal, agent, representative, consultant, licensor, licensee or otherwise with, any business or enterprise engaged in any business which is competitive with or which is reasonably anticipated to be competitive with the Company’s business; provided, however, that you may purchase or otherwise acquire up to (but not more than) one percent (1%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without participating in the activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange. You hereby represent and warrant that you have disclosed previously to the Board all other employment or other commercial business activities that you already undertake, or intend to undertake (to the extent currently known by you), during your period of employment with the Company.

 

6. Change in Control and Severance Agreement.

Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, you and the Company shall enter into the Change in Control and Severance Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Severance Agreement”).

 

7. No Conflicts.

By signing this Agreement you hereby represent to the Company that, except as previously disclosed to the Company: (a) your employment with the Company is not prohibited under any employment agreement or other contractual arrangement; and (b) you do not know of any conflicts which would restrict your employment with the Company. You hereby represent that you have disclosed to the Company any contract you have signed that may restrict your activities on behalf of the Company, and that you are presently in compliance with such contracts, if any.

 

8. At Will Employment.

Your employment relationship with the Company will be an “at-will” arrangement. This means that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice. This “at-will” employment relationship cannot be changed except in a written agreement approved by the Company and signed by you and by a duly authorized officer of the Company.


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1035 O’Brien Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Tel +1-650-272-6269 | Fax +1-650-362-1908

 

 

9. Miscellaneous.

As required by law, your employment is contingent upon satisfactory proof of your identity and legal authorization to work in the United States. Additionally, this offer is contingent upon your completion of the employment application, verification of your references, satisfactory completion of a pre-employment background check and execution of the Employee Confidentiality and Invention Assignment Agreement and the Acknowledgment of Business Ethics and Conduct Guide and Company Policies.

This Agreement, together with your Proprietary Information Agreement, forms the complete and exclusive statement of your employment agreement with the Company. The employment terms in this Agreement supersede any other agreements or promises made to you by anyone, whether oral or written, concerning your employment terms. The company will have the right to reassign you, to change your compensation, or to terminate your employment at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. This Agreement will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of both you and the Company, their heirs, successors and assigns. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question shall be modified so as to be rendered enforceable in a manner consistent with the intent of the parties insofar as possible under applicable law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to conflicts of law principles. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed against either party as the drafter. Any waiver of a breach of this Agreement, or rights hereunder, shall be in writing and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any successive breach or rights hereunder. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, which shall be deemed to be part of one original, and facsimile signatures shall be equivalent to original signatures.

[Signature page immediately follows]


LOGO   

1035 O’Brien Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Tel +1-650-272-6269 | Fax +1-650-362-1908

 

Please sign and date this letter and return it to me by the close of business on Thursday, November 19, 2015, in order to confirm your anticipated employment terms as set forth above.

We look forward to a productive and enjoyable work relationship with you.

Sincerely,

Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc.:

 

/s/ Mark S. Blumenkranz

Dr. Mark S. Blumenkranz, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Understood and Accepted:

 

/s/ Paul Cleveland

Paul Cleveland

Date: November 19, 2015


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1035 O’Brien Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 

Tel +1-650-272-6269 | Fax +1-650-362-1908

 

EXHIBIT A

EMPLOYEE CONFIDENTIALITY AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT


Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc.

EMPLOYEE CONFIDENTIALITY AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

In partial consideration and as a condition of my employment by AVALANCHE BIOTECHNOLOGIES, (the “ Company ”), and effective as of the date that my employment by the Company first commenced as set forth below, I, the undersigned, agree as follows:

1. NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

1.1. Confidential Information . During the term of my employment, I may receive and otherwise be exposed to confidential and proprietary information relating to the Company’s business, strategies, designs and technologies, or to proprietary or confidential information relating to the Company’s suppliers, customers or business partners. Such confidential and proprietary information may include but not be limited to confidential or proprietary information supplied to me with the legend “Confidential” or “Proprietary,” or equivalent, and any of the following types of information, whether or not marked as confidential or proprietary: (i) information regarding physical or chemical or biological materials (such as, but not limited to, reagents, gene sequences, nucleic acids, cell lines, media, antibodies, compounds, c-DNAs, antisense nucleotides, proteins and vectors) and techniques for their handling and use; (ii) information regarding ideas, technology and processes (such as, but not limited to, assays, techniques, sketches, schematics, drawings, works of authorship, models, designs, inventions, know-how, technical documentation, equipment, algorithms, software programs, software source documents, formulae); (iii) information concerning or resulting from research and development projects and other projects (such as, but not limited to, preclinical and clinical data, design details and specifications, engineering information, and works in process); (iv) business and financial information (such as, but not limited to, current, future, and proposed products and services, financial information and models, information relating to procurement requirements, purchasing, manufacturing, customer lists, product plans, product ideas, business strategies, marketing or business plans, financial or personnel matters, investors, employees, business and contractual relationships, business forecasts, sales and merchandising, and information regarding third parties, suppliers, customers, employees, investors or facilities); (v) Inventions (as defined below), and (iv) information, derivatives, improvements or enhancements created using the foregoing information. (all of the above collectively referred to as “ Confidential Information ”). I understand that Confidential Information shall not include information that (a) is in the public domain at the time of disclosure or enters the public domain following disclosure through no fault of mine, (b) is already in my possession prior to disclosure hereunder (as reflected by my written records), or (c) is required to be disclosed pursuant to an order of any competent court or government agency or rules of a securities exchange.

1.2. Duties . I acknowledge the confidential and secret character of the Confidential Information, and agree that the Confidential Information is the sole, exclusive and extremely valuable property of Company. Accordingly, I agree not to use the Confidential Information except in the performance of my authorized duties as an employee of Company, and not to disclose all or any part of the Confidential Information in any form to any third party, either during or after the term of my employment, without the prior written consent of the Company on a case-by-case basis. Appropriate prior written consent will be determined as follows: (i) if I am

 

1


not an executive officer of the Company, then consent may be obtained from an executive officer of the Company, or (ii) if I am an executive officer of the Company, then from the Board of Directors of the Company. Upon termination of my employment, I agree to cease using and to return to Company all whole and partial copies and derivatives of the Confidential Information, whether in my possession or under my direct or indirect control, provided that I am entitled to retain my personal copies of (i) my compensation records, (ii) materials distributed to shareholders generally and (iii) this Agreement.

2. PROPERTY OF THE COMPANY . All notes, memoranda, reports, drawings, blueprints, manuals, materials, data, emails and other papers and records of every kind which shall come into my possession at any time after the commencement of my employment with the Company, relating to any Inventions (as defined below) or Confidential Information, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. This property shall be surrendered to the Company upon termination of my employment with the Company, or upon request by the Company, at any other time either during or after the termination of such employment. I further agree that in the event of termination of my employment with the Company I will execute a Termination Certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

3. INVENTIONS .

3.1. Disclosure . I shall disclose promptly in writing to an officer or to attorneys of the Company in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures any idea, invention, work of authorship, whether patentable or unpatentable, copyrightable or uncopyrightable, including, but not limited to, any documentation, formula, design, device, code, improvement, method, process, discovery, concept, development, machine or contribution, techniques, formulas, formulations, data, programs, organisms, plasmids, cosmids, bacteriophages, expression vectors, cells, cell lines, tissues, materials, substrates, media, delivery methods or transfection methods, assays, compounds, peptides, proteins, DNA, RNA, and their constructs, and sequence, genomic, and structural information relating thereto, crystals, optically active materials, ceramics, metals, metal oxides, and organic and inorganic chemical, biological and other material and their progeny, clones and derivatives and salt forms (any of the foregoing items hereinafter referred to as an “ Invention ”) I may conceive, make, develop or work on, in whole or in part, solely or jointly with others, during the term of my employment with the Company. The disclosure required by this Section applies (a) during the period of my employment with the Company and for one year thereafter; (b) with respect to all Inventions whether or not they are conceived, made, developed or worked on by me during my regular hours of employment with the Company; (c) whether or not the Invention was made at the suggestion of the Company; (d) whether or not the Invention was reduced to drawings, written description, documentation, models or other tangible form; and (e) whether or not the Invention is related to the general line of business engaged in by the Company. The Company agrees that it will take reasonable precautions to keep Inventions disclosed to it pursuant to this Section 3.1 in confidence and shall not use any Inventions for its own advantage unless those Inventions are assigned or assignable to the Company pursuant to Section 3.2 or otherwise.

3.2. Assignment of Inventions to Company; Exemption of Certain Inventions . I hereby assign to the Company, and agree to assign automatically without requirement of further writing when first reduced to practice or recorded in a tangible medium, without royalty or any


other further consideration, my entire right, title and interest in and to all Inventions and all intellectual property rights therein that (i) relate to the subject matters related to my employment and exist as of the date of this Agreement, for which I do not have an obligation to assign to any third party or (ii) I conceive, make, develop or work on during the period of my employment with the Company and for one year thereafter, except those Inventions that I develop entirely on my own time after the date of this Agreement without using the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities or Confidential Information, unless those Inventions either (a) relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the Invention to the Company’s business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company; or (b) result from or are related to any work performed by me for the Company, in which case I agree that any such Inventions shall also be automatically assigned to the Company. I acknowledge and agree that the Company has hereby notified me that the assignment provided for in Section 3.2(ii) does not apply to any Invention which qualifies fully for exemption from assignment under the provisions of Section 2870 of the California Labor Code, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit B. I also acknowledge and agree that nothing in this Section 3.2 above limits the assignment of any other rights in or to Confidential Information or other technology or intellectual property of the Company other than Inventions.

3.3. Records . I will make and maintain adequate and current written records of all Inventions covered by Section 3.1. These records shall be and remain the property of the Company.

3.4. Patents and Other Rights . Subject to Section 3.2, I will assist the Company in obtaining, maintaining and enforcing patents, invention assignments and copyright assignments, and other proprietary rights in connection with any Invention covered by Section 3.1, and otherwise will assist the Company as reasonably required by the Company to perfect in the Company the rights, title and other interests in my work product granted to the Company under this Agreement. Reasonable costs related to such assistance, if required, will be paid by the Company. I further agree that my obligations under this Section 3.4 shall continue beyond the termination of my employment with the Company, but if I am called upon to render such assistance after the termination of such employment, I shall be entitled to a fair and reasonable rate of compensation for such assistance. I shall, in addition, be entitled to reimbursement of any expenses incurred at the request of the Company relating to such assistance after the term of my employment. I hereby agree to waive any moral rights I may have in any copyrightable work I create on behalf of the Company. If the Company is unable for any reason, after reasonable effort, to secure my signature on any document needed in connection with the actions specified above, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney in fact, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to act for and in my behalf to execute, verify and file any such documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of this Section 3.4 with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me.

3.5. Prior Contracts and Inventions; Information Belonging to Third Parties . I represent and warrant that, except as set forth on Exhibit C hereto, there are no other contracts to assign Inventions that are now in existence between any other person or entity and me. I further represent that (a) I am not obligated under any consulting, employment or other agreement which would affect the Company’s rights or my duties under this Agreement, (b) there is no action,


investigation, or proceeding pending or threatened, or any basis therefor known to me involving my prior employment or any consultancy or the use of any information or techniques alleged to be proprietary to any former employer, and (c) the performance of my duties as an employee of the Company will not breach, or constitute a default under any agreement to which I am bound, including, without limitation, any agreement limiting the use or disclosure of proprietary information acquired in confidence prior to engagement by the Company. I will not, in connection with my employment by the Company, use or disclose to the Company any confidential, trade secret or other proprietary information of any previous employer or other person to which I am not lawfully entitled. As a matter of record, I attach as Exhibit C of this Agreement a brief description of all Inventions made or conceived by me prior to my employment with the Company which I desire to be excluded from this Agreement (“ Background Technology ”). I hereby grant Company a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual and irrevocable, worldwide right to use and sublicense the use of Background Technology for the purpose of developing, marketing, selling and supporting Company technology, products and services, either directly or through multiple tiers of distribution, but not for the purpose of marketing Background Technology separately from Company products or services.

4. NON-COMPETITION . During the term of my employment by the Company, I will not without the prior written approval of (i) an executive officer of the Company, in the event that I am not an executive officer of the Company, and (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company, in the event that I am an executive officer of the Company, (a) engage in any other professional employment or consulting, or (b) directly or indirectly participate in or assist any business which is a current or potential supplier, customer or competitor of the Company.

5. NON-SOLICITATION . During the term of my employment with the Company and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, I will not solicit or encourage, or cause others to solicit or encourage, any employees of the Company to terminate their employment with the Company. During the term of my employment with the Company, I will not solicit the business of any customer or client of the Company on my own behalf or on behalf of any person or entity other than the Company.

6. MISCELLANEOUS . The parties’ rights and obligations under this Agreement will bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors, heirs, executors, and administrators and permitted assigns. I will not assign this Agreement or its obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company and any such purported assignment without consent shall be null and void from the beginning. This Agreement constitutes the parties’ final, exclusive and complete understanding and agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements relating to its subject matter. This Agreement may not be waived, modified or amended unless mutually agreed upon in writing by both parties. In the event any provision of this Agreement is found to be legally unenforceable, such unenforceability shall not prevent enforcement of any other provision of the Agreement. I acknowledge that the Company will suffer substantial damages not readily ascertainable or compensable in terms of money in the event of the breach of any of my obligations under this Agreement. I therefore agree that the Company shall be entitled (without limitation of any other rights or remedies otherwise available to the Company) to obtain an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction prohibiting the continuance or recurrence of any breach of this Agreement. The rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall be governed in


all respects by the laws of the State of California exclusively, without regard to conflict of law provisions. I agree that upon Company’s request, all disputes arising hereunder shall be adjudicated in the state and federal courts having jurisdiction over disputes arising in San Francisco, California, and I hereby agree to consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts. Any notices required or permitted hereunder shall be given to the appropriate party at the address specified above or at such other address as the party shall specify in writing. Such notice shall be deemed given upon personal delivery, or sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, three (3) days after the date of mailing. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.


I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND I UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THE OBLIGATIONS WHICH IT IMPOSES UPON ME WITHOUT RESERVATION. NO PROMISES OR REPRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO ME TO INDUCE ME TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT. I SIGN THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY AND FREELY, IN DUPLICATE, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE COMPANY WILL RETAIN ONE COUNTERPART AND THE OTHER COUNTERPART WILL BE RETAINED BY ME.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this document as of the 19 th day of November, 2015.

 

/s/ Paul Cleveland

Employee

AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED:

 

Avalanche Biotechnologies
By:  

/s/ Mark S. Blumenkranz

Name:   Mark S. Blumenkranz
Title:   Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

6


EXHIBIT A

TO

EMPLOYEE CONFIDENTIALITY AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

Termination Certificate

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I do not have in my possession, nor have I failed to return, any documents or materials relating to the business of Company or its affiliates (the “Company”), or copies thereof, including, without limitation, any item of Confidential Information listed in Section 3 of the Company’s Employee Confidentiality And Inventions Assignment Agreement (the “Agreement”) to which I am a party.

I further certify that I have complied with all of the terms of the Agreement signed by me, including the reporting of any Inventions (as defined in the Agreement) covered by the Agreement.

I further agree that in compliance with the Agreement, I will preserve as confidential any information relating to the Company or any of it business partners, clients, consultants or licensees which has been disclosed to me in confidence during the course of my employment by the Company unless authorized in writing to do so (i) by an executive officer of the Company, in the event that I am not an executive officer of the Company, or (ii) by the Board of Directors of the Company, in the event that I am an executive officer of the Company.

 

Date:                                                             

 

    (Employee’s Signature)
   

 

    (Printed or Typed Name of Employee)


EXHIBIT B

TO

EMPLOYEE CONFIDENTIALITY AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

California Labor Code

California Labor Code § 2870 . Application of provision providing that employee shall assign or offer to assign rights in invention to employer .

 

  (a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those inventions that either:

 

  (1) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer’s business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer; or

 

  (2) Result from any work performed by the employee for the employer.

 

  (b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.


EXHIBIT C

TO

EMPLOYEE CONFIDENTIALITY AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

(List here prior contracts to assign Inventions that are now in existence between any other person or entity and you.)

(List here previous Inventions which you desire to have specifically excluded from the operation of this Agreement. Continue on reverse side if necessary.


EXHIBIT B

CHANGE IN CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.2

AVALANCHE BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CHANGE IN CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

This Change in Control and Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Paul Cleveland (“Executive”) and Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. (the “Company”), effective as of the latest date set forth by the signatures of the parties hereto below (the “Effective Date”).

R E C I T A L S

A. Executive and the Company are entering into the Offer Letter, dated as of the Effective Date (the “Offer Letter”), concurrently with the execution of this Agreement.

B. It is expected that the Company from time to time will consider the possibility of an acquisition by another company or other change in control. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) recognizes that such consideration as well as the possibility of an involuntary termination or reduction in responsibility can be a distraction to Executive and can cause Executive to consider alternative employment opportunities. The Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication and objectivity of Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of such an event.

C. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to provide Executive with an incentive to continue Executive’s employment and to motivate Executive to maximize the value of the Company upon a Change in Control (as defined below) for the benefit of its stockholders.

D. The Board believes that it is imperative to provide Executive with severance benefits upon certain terminations of Executive’s service to the Company that enhance Executive’s financial security and provide incentive and encouragement to Executive to remain with the Company notwithstanding the possibility of such an event.

D. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 7 below.

The parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Term of Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as of the Hire Date (as defined in the Offer Letter) and terminate upon the date that all obligations of the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement have been satisfied.

2. At-Will Employment . The Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive’s employment is and shall continue to be “at-will,” as defined under applicable law. If Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than as provided by this Agreement.


3. Covered Termination Other Than During a Change in Control Period . If Executive experiences a Covered Termination other than during a Change in Control Period, and if Executive delivers to the Company a general release of all claims against the Company and its affiliates that becomes effective and irrevocable within sixty (60) days, or such shorter period of time specified by the Company, following such Covered Termination (a “Release of Claims”), then in addition to any accrued but unpaid salary, bonus, vacation and expense reimbursement payable in accordance with applicable law, the Company shall provide Executive with the following:

(a) Severance . Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to twelve (12) months of Executive’s Base Salary, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll policies, less applicable withholdings; provided, however , that no payments under this Section 3(a) shall be made prior to the first payroll date occurring on or after the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Covered Termination (such payroll date, the “ First Payroll Date ”), and any amounts otherwise payable prior to the First Payroll Date shall be paid on the First Payroll Date without interest thereon.

(b) Continued Healthcare . If Executive elects to receive continued healthcare coverage pursuant to the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), the Company shall directly pay, or reimburse Executive for, the premium for Executive and Executive’s covered dependents through the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and (ii) the date Executive and Executive’s covered dependents, if any, become eligible for healthcare coverage under another employer’s plan(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), or (ii) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover Executive under its group health plans without penalty under applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be paid to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments. After the Company ceases to pay premiums pursuant to this Section 3(b), Executive may, if eligible, elect to continue healthcare coverage at Executive’s expense in accordance the provisions of COBRA.

4. Covered Termination During a Change in Control Period . If Executive experiences a Covered Termination during a Change in Control Period, and if Executive delivers to the Company a Release of Claims that becomes effective and irrevocable within sixty (60) days, or such shorter period of time specified by the Company, following such Covered Termination, then in addition to any accrued but unpaid salary, bonus, vacation and expense reimbursement payable in accordance with applicable law, the Company shall provide Executive with the following:

(a) Severance . Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal one and one-half times (1.5) times the sum of (i) Executive’s Base Salary and (ii) target annual bonus for the year in which Executive’s termination occurs. Such amount shall be payable in a cash lump sum, less applicable withholdings, on the sixtieth (60th) day after the date of the Covered Termination.

(b) Equity Awards . Each outstanding equity award, including, without limitation, each stock option and restricted stock award, held by Executive shall automatically become vested

 

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and, if applicable, exercisable and any forfeiture restrictions or rights of repurchase thereon shall immediately lapse, in each case, with respect to one-hundred percent (100%) of the unvested shares of Company common stock subject to such equity award.

(c) Continued Healthcare . If Executive elects to receive continued healthcare coverage pursuant to the provisions of COBRA, the Company shall directly pay, or reimburse Executive for, the premium for Executive and Executive’s covered dependents through the earlier of (i) the eighteen (18)-month anniversary of the date of Executive’s termination of employment and (ii) the date Executive and Executive’s covered dependents, if any, become eligible for healthcare coverage under another employer’s plan(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if any plan pursuant to which such benefits are provided is not, or ceases prior to the expiration of the period of continuation coverage to be, exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)(5), or (ii) the Company is otherwise unable to continue to cover Executive under its group health plans without penalty under applicable law (including without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then, in either case, an amount equal to each remaining Company subsidy shall thereafter be paid to Executive in substantially equal monthly installments. After the Company ceases to pay premiums pursuant to this Section 4(c), Executive may, if eligible, elect to continue healthcare coverage at Executive’s expense in accordance the provisions of COBRA.

5. Other Terminations . If Executive’s service with the Company is terminated by the Company or by Executive for any or no reason other than as a Covered Termination, then Executive shall not be entitled to any benefits hereunder other than accrued but unpaid salary, bonus, vacation and expense reimbursement in accordance with applicable law and to elect any continued healthcare coverage as may be required under COBRA or similar state law.

6. Limitation on Payments . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or distribution Executive would receive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (“Payment”) would (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (b) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall either be (i) delivered in full, or (ii) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such Payment being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by Executive on an after-tax basis, of the largest payment, notwithstanding that all or some portion the Payment may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall perform the foregoing calculations. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The accounting firm shall provide its calculations to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or Executive) or such other time as requested by the Company or Executive. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive. Any reduction in payments and/or benefits pursuant to this Section 6 will occur in the following order: (1) reduction of cash payments; (2) cancellation of accelerated vesting of equity awards other than stock options; (3) cancellation of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (4) reduction of other benefits payable to Executive.

 

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7. Definition of Terms . The following terms referred to in this Agreement shall have the following meanings:

(a) Base Salary . “Base Salary” means Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination (disregarding any reduction in base salary that would give rise to Executive’s right to a Constructive Termination).

(b) Cause . “Cause” will be determined in the sole discretion of the Board and will mean misconduct, including: (i) conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty; (ii) willful and material breach of Executive’s duties that has not been cured within 30 days after written notice from the Board; (iii) intentional and material damage to the Company’s property; or (iv) material breach of the Confidential Information Agreement (as defined below).

(c) Change in Control . “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

(ii) During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 7(c)(i) or 7(c)(iii)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

(iii) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction: (A) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities

 

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of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and (B) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (B) as beneficially owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or

(iv) The Company’s stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a transaction constitute a Change in Control unless such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

(d) Change in Control Period . “Change in Control Period” means the period of time beginning three (3) months prior to and ending twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.

(e) Constructive Termination . “Constructive Termination” means any of the following actions taken without Cause by the Company or a successor corporation or entity without Executive’s consent: (i) substantial reduction of Executive’s rate of compensation; (ii) material reduction in Executive’s duties, provided, however, that a change in job position (including a change in title) shall not be deemed a “material reduction” unless Executive’s new duties are substantially reduced from the prior duties; (iii) failure or refusal of a successor to the Company to assume the Company’s obligations under this Agreement in the event of a Change in Control; (iv) relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment or service to a place greater than 50 miles from the Executive’s then current principal place of employment or service; (v) the requirement to increase the amount of time per week that Executive provides services to the Company or (vi) the requirement that the Executive cease other employment or consulting engagements, unless such employment and/or consulting engagement results in a direct conflict with the Company’s business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a resignation shall not constitute a “Constructive Termination” unless the event or condition giving rise to such resignation continues more than thirty (30) days following Executive’s written notice of such condition provided to the Company within ninety (90) days of the first occurrence of such event or condition and such resignation is effective within thirty (30) days following the end of such notice period.

(f) Covered Termination . “Covered Termination” shall mean Executive’s Constructive Termination or the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company other than for Cause.

 

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8. Successors .

(a) Company’s Successors . Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets shall assume the obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” shall include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this Section 8(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.

(b) Executive’s Successors . The terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

9. Notices . Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or one day following mailing via Federal Express or similar overnight courier service. In the case of Executive, mailed notices shall be addressed to Executive at Executive’s home address that the Company has on file for Executive. In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Senior Vice President, Legal and Corporate Development.

10. Confidentiality; Non-Solicitation.

(a) Confidentiality . While Executive is employed by the Company, and thereafter, Executive shall not directly or indirectly disclose or make available to any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, any Confidential Information (as defined below). Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, all Confidential Information in Executive’s possession that is in written or other tangible form (together with all copies or duplicates thereof, including computer files) shall be returned to the Company and shall not be retained by Executive or furnished to any third party, in any form except as provided herein; provided, however, that Executive shall not be obligated to treat as confidential, or return to the Company copies of any Confidential Information that (i) was publicly known at the time of disclosure to Executive, (ii) becomes publicly known or available thereafter other than by any means in violation of this Agreement or any other duty owed to the Company by any person or entity, or (iii) is lawfully disclosed to Executive by a third party. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” shall mean information disclosed to Executive or known by Executive as a consequence of or through his or her relationship with the Company, about the customers, employees, business methods, public relations methods, organization, procedures or finances, including, without limitation, information of or relating to customer lists, of the Company and its affiliates. In addition, Executive shall continue to be subject to the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement entered into between Executive and the Company (the “Confidential Information Agreement”).

 

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(b) Non-Solicitation . In addition to each Executive’s obligations under the Confidential Information Agreement, Executive shall not for a period of two (2) years following Executive’s termination of employment for any reason, either on Executive’s own account or jointly with or as a manager, agent, officer, employee, consultant, partner, joint venturer, owner or stockholder or otherwise on behalf of any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit away from the Company any of its officers or employees or offer employment to any person who is an officer or employee of the Company; provided, however, that a general advertisement to which an employee of the Company responds shall in no event be deemed to result in a breach of this Section 10(b). Executive also agrees not to harass or disparage the Company or its employees, clients, directors or agents or divert or attempt to divert any actual or potential business of the Company.

(c) Survival of Provisions . The provisions of this Section 10 shall survive the termination or expiration of the applicable Executive’s employment with the Company and shall be fully enforceable thereafter. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in this Section 10 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under the laws of that state, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the law of that state.

11. Dispute Resolution . To ensure the timely and economical resolution of disputes that arise in connection with this Agreement, Executive and the Company agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance or interpretation of this Agreement, Executive’s employment, or the termination of Executive’s employment, shall be resolved to the fullest extent permitted by law by final, binding and confidential arbitration, by a single arbitrator, in San Mateo County, California, conducted by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) under the applicable JAMS employment rules. By agreeing to this arbitration procedure, both Executive and the Company waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding . The arbitrator shall: (i) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (ii) issue a written arbitration decision, to include the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award any or all remedies that Executive or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. The Company shall pay all JAMS’ arbitration fees in excess of the amount of court fees that would be required if the dispute were decided in a court of law. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either Executive or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive and the Company each have the right to resolve any issue or dispute over intellectual property rights by Court action instead of arbitration.

12. Miscellaneous Provisions .

(a) Section 409A .

(i) Separation from Service . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, no amount deemed deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of

 

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the Code shall be payable pursuant to Sections 3 or 4 unless Executive’s termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder (“Separation from Service”) and, except as provided under Section 12(a)(ii) of this Agreement, any such amount shall not be paid, or in the case of installments, commence payment, until the sixtieth (60 th ) day following Executive’s Separation from Service. Any installment payments that would have been made to Executive during the sixty (60) day period immediately following Executive’s Separation from Service but for the preceding sentence shall be paid to Executive on the sixtieth (60 th ) day following Executive’s Separation from Service and the remaining payments shall be made as provided in this Agreement.

(ii) Specified Employee . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is deemed at the time of his or her separation from service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of Executive’s benefits shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (a) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service or (b) the date of Executive’s death. Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 12(a)(ii) shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

(iii) Expense Reimbursements . To the extent that any reimbursements payable pursuant to this Agreement are subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, any such reimbursements payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid to Executive no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and Executive’s right to reimbursement under this Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

(b) Waiver . No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

(c) Whole Agreement . This Agreement, the Offer Letter and the Confidential Information Agreement represent the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior arrangements and understandings regarding same, including, without limitation, any accelerated vesting provisions of any stock option agreement between the Company and Executive.

(d) Choice of Law . The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.

 

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(e) Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.

(f) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

( Signature page follows )

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year set forth below.

 

AVALANCHE

BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.

By:  

/s/ Mark S. Blumenkranz

Title:   Chairman of the Board of Directors
Date:   November 19, 2015
EXECUTIVE

/s/ Paul B. Cleveland

Date: November 19, 2015

 

-10-

Exhibit 10.3

AVALANCHE BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.

INDUCEMENT AWARD

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “ Company ”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (“ Participant ”) an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock (“ Stock ”) set forth below (the “ Option ”). This Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein, as well as in the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Stock Option Agreement ”), which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Participant:    Paul Cleveland
Grant Date:    [ December 9, 2015 ]

Vesting Commencement

Date:

   [ December 9, 2015 ]
Exercise Price per Share:    $[             ]
Total Exercise Price:    [                 ]

Total Number of Shares

Subject to the Option:

   910,000 shares of Stock
Expiration Date:    [ December 9, 2025 ]
Vesting Schedule:    Subject to Participant’s continued service with the Company on the applicable vesting dates, 25% of the total option shares shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48 of the total option shares shall vest each month thereafter so that all of the shares subject to the option are vested and exercisable on the fourth anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date.
Type of Option:   

Non-Qualified

Stock Option


By his or her signature and the Company’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Agreement and this Grant Notice. Participant has reviewed the Stock Option Agreement and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under this Grant Notice or the Stock Option Agreement.

 

AVALANCHE BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.:       PARTICIPANT:
By:   

 

      By:   

 

Print Name:          Print Name:    Paul B. Cleveland
Title:            
Address:    1035 O’Brien Drive, Suite A       Address:   
   Menlo Park, CA 94025         


EXHIBIT A

TO INDUCEMENT AWARD

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

AVALANCHE BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC. STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Pursuant to the Stock Option Grant Notice (the “ Grant Notice ”) to which this Stock Option Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is attached, Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), has granted to Participant an Option to purchase the number of shares of Stock indicated in the Grant Notice.

WHEREAS, Participant is a new Employee who has not previously served as an Employee or Director of the Company; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has determined that Participant shall be granted the Option as an inducement material to Participant entering into employment with the Company.

ARTICLE 1.

GENERAL

1.1. Defined Terms . Wherever the following terms are used in this Agreement they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Grant Notice.

1.2. Administrator . The Option shall be administered by the Board, the Committee and/or their delegates (the “ Administrator ”). To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (“ Rule 16b-3 ”), the Option shall be granted by the entire Board or a Committee of two or more “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3. In order to comply with any applicable Nasdaq or other stock exchange listing requirements, the Option shall be granted by the Committee or a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors and will be administered in a manner that complies with such requirements. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Administrator may delegate to one or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Option. Such delegation may be revoked at any time.

ARTICLE 2.

GRANT OF OPTION

2.1. Grant of Option . In consideration of Participant’s entering into employment with or service to the Company or any Affiliate and for other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “ Grant Date ”), the Company irrevocably grants to Participant the Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate of the number of shares of Stock set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, subject to adjustments as provided in Section 5.13 hereof.


2.2. Exercise Price; Prohibition on Repricing .

(a) The exercise price of the shares of Stock subject to the Option shall be as set forth in the Grant Notice, without commission or other charge; provided , however , that the price per share of the shares of Stock subject to the Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the Grant Date.

(b) Subject to Section 5.13 hereof, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (i) authorize the amendment of the Option to reduce its price per Share, or (ii) cancel the Option in exchange for cash or another award when the Option price per Share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying shares of Stock.

2.3. Consideration to the Company . In consideration of the grant of the Option by the Company, Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Affiliate. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Affiliates, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or an Affiliate and Participant.

ARTICLE 3.

PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

 

3.1. Commencement of Exercisability .

(a) Subject to Sections 3.2, 3.3, 5.11 and 5.17 hereof, the Option shall become vested and exercisable in such amounts and at such times as are set forth in the Grant Notice.

(b) No portion of the Option which has not become vested and exercisable at the date of Participant’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become vested and exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and Participant.

(c) Notwithstanding Sections 3.1(a) hereof and the Grant Notice, but subject to Section 3.1(b) hereof, in the event of a Change in Control the Option shall be treated pursuant to Section Section 5.13 hereof.

3.2. Duration of Exercisability . The installments provided for in the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice are cumulative. Each such installment which becomes vested and exercisable pursuant to the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice shall remain vested and exercisable until it becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof.

3.3. Expiration of Option . The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

(a) The Expiration Date set forth in the Grant Notice, which shall in no event be more than ten (10) years from the Grant Date;


(b) The expiration of three (3) months from the date of Participant’s Termination of Service, unless such termination occurs by reason of Participant’s death or disability; or

(c) The expiration of one (1) year from the date of Participant’s Termination of Service by reason of Participant’s death or disability.

3.4. Tax Withholding . The Company or any Affiliate shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including Participant’s FICA or employment tax obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning Participant arising as a result of this Agreement. The Administrator may in its sole discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow Participant to satisfy such obligations by any payment means described in Section 4.4 hereof, including, without limitation, by allowing Participant to elect to have the Company withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable under this Agreement (or allow the surrender of shares of Stock). The number of shares of Stock which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of shares of Stock which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income. The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the shares of Stock, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless option exercise involving the sale of shares of Stock to pay the Option exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.

 

3.5. Tax Indemnity .

(a) Participant agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified the Company, any Affiliate and Participant’s employing company, if different, from and against any liability for or obligation to pay any Tax Liability (a “ Tax Liability ” being any liability for income tax, withholding tax and any other employment related taxes or social security contributions in any jurisdiction) that is attributable to (1) the grant or exercise of, or any benefit derived by Participant from, the Option, (2) the acquisition by Participant of the Stock on exercise of the Option or (3) the disposal of any Stock.

(b) The Option cannot be exercised until Participant has made such arrangements as the Company may require for the satisfaction of any Tax Liability that may arise in connection with the exercise of the Option and/or the acquisition of the Stock by Participant. The Company shall not be required to issue, allot or transfer Stock until Participant has satisfied this obligation.

(c) Participant hereby acknowledges that the Company (i) makes no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax Liabilities in connection with any aspect of the Option and (ii) does not commit to and is under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Option, to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax Liabilities or achieve any particular tax result. Furthermore, if Participant becomes subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction between the Grant Date of the Option, and the date of any relevant taxable event, Participant acknowledges that the Company may be required to withhold or account for Tax Liabilities in more than one jurisdiction.


ARTICLE 4.

EXERCISE OF OPTION

4.1. Person Eligible to Exercise . Except as provided in Section 5.3 hereof, during the lifetime of Participant, only Participant may exercise the Option or any portion thereof, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO. After the death of Participant, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof, be exercised by the deceased Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then Applicable Laws of descent and distribution.

4.2. Partial Exercise . Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof. However, the Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional shares of Stock.

4.3. Manner of Exercise . The Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivery to the Secretary of the Company (or any third party administrator or other person or entity designated by the Company; for the avoidance of doubt, delivery shall include electronic delivery), during regular business hours, of all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof:

(a) An exercise notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, stating that the Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised, such notice complying with all applicable rules established by the Administrator. The notice shall be signed by Participant or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or such portion of the Option;

(b) The receipt by the Company of full payment for the shares of Stock with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is exercised, including payment of any applicable withholding tax, which shall be made by deduction from other compensation payable to Participant or in such other form of consideration permitted under Section 4.4 hereof that is acceptable to the Company;

(c) Any other written representations or documents as may be required in the Administrator’s sole discretion to evidence compliance with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other Applicable Law, rule or regulation; and

(d) In the event the Option or portion thereof shall be exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof by any person or persons other than Participant, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to specify all conditions of the manner of exercise, which conditions may vary by country and which may be subject to change from time to time.

4.4. Method of Payment . Payment of the exercise price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Participant:


(a) Cash or check;

(b) With the consent of the Administrator, surrender of shares of Stock (including, without limitation, shares of Stock otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option) held for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof; or

(c) Other legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator (including, without limitation, through the delivery of a notice that Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company at such time as may be required by the Company, but in any event not later than the settlement of such sale).

 

4.5. Conditions to Issuance of Stock .

The shares of Stock deliverable upon the exercise of the Option, or any portion thereof, may be either previously authorized but unissued shares of Stock or issued shares of Stock which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such shares of Stock shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

(a) The admission of such shares of Stock to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Stock is then listed;

(b) The completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares of Stock under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable;

(c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;

(d) The receipt by the Company of full payment for such shares of Stock, including payment of any applicable withholding tax, which may be in one or more of the forms of consideration permitted under Section 4.4 hereof;

(e) The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the Option as the Administrator may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience.

(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of the Option, unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such shares is in compliance with all


Applicable Law, and the shares of Stock are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board or the Committee may require that Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board or the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with Applicable Law;

(g) All share certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement and all shares of Stock issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with Applicable Law. The Administrator may place legends on any share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the shares of Stock;

(h) The Administrator shall have the right to require Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of the Option, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator;

(i) No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued and the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares shall be eliminated by rounding down; and

(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by any Applicable Law, the Company shall not deliver to Participant certificates evidencing shares of Stock issued in connection with the Option and instead such shares of Stock shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

4.6. Rights as Stockholder . The holder of the Option shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to dividends, in respect of any shares of Stock purchasable upon the exercise of any part of the Option unless and until such shares of Stock shall have been issued by the Company and held of record by such holder (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the shares of Stock are issued, except as provided in Section 5.13 hereof.

ARTICLE 5.

OTHER PROVISIONS

5.1. Administration . The Administrator shall have the power to interpret this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration and interpretation of this Agreement as are consistent herewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Committee or the Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to this Agreement or the Option.

 

5.2. Whole Shares . The Option may only be exercised for whole shares of Stock.


5.3. Option Not Transferable .

(a) Subject to Section 4.1 hereof, the Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until the Option has been exercised and the shares of Stock underlying the Option have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares of Stock have lapsed. Neither the Option nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy) unless and until the Option has been exercised, and any attempted disposition thereof prior to exercise shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

(b) During the lifetime of Participant, only Participant may exercise the Option (or any portion thereof), unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO; after the death of Participant, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under this Agreement, be exercised by Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then-Applicable Laws of descent and distribution.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to the Option upon Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights is subject to all terms and conditions of this Agreement, except to the extent this Agreement otherwise provides, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If Participant is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than Participant’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of Participant’s interest in the Option shall not be effective without the prior written consent of Participant’s spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Administrator prior to Participant’s death.

5.4. Tax Consultation . Participant understands that Participant may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the grant, vesting and/or exercise of the Option, and/or with the purchase or disposition of the shares of Stock subject to the Option. Participant represents that Participant has consulted with any tax consultants Participant deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of such shares of Stock and that Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.


5.5. Binding Agreement . Subject to the limitation on the transferability of the Option contained herein, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

5.6. Adjustments Upon Specified Events . The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of the Option in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events relating to the Stock contemplated by Section 5.13 hereof (including, without limitation, an extraordinary cash dividend on such Stock), the Administrator shall make such adjustments the Administrator deems appropriate in the number of shares of Stock subject to the Option, the exercise price of the Option and the kind of securities that may be issued upon exercise of the Option. Participant acknowledges that the Option is subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Section 5.13 hereof.

5.7. Notices . Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal office, and any notice to be given to Participant shall be addressed to Participant at Participant’s last address reflected on the Company’s records. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 5.7, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice which is required to be given to Participant shall, if Participant is then deceased, be given to the person entitled to exercise his or her Option pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof by written notice under this Section 5.7. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

5.8. Titles . Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

5.9. Governing Law . The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

5.10. Conformity to Securities Laws . Participant acknowledges that this Agreement is intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all Applicable Law and regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall be administered, and the Option is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to such Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such Applicable Law.

5.11. Amendment, Suspension and Termination . This Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board; provided, however, that, except as may otherwise be provided by this Agreement, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the Option in any material way without the prior written consent of Participant.


5.12. Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in Section 5.3 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

5.13. Changes in Stock Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events .

(a) In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Stock or the share price of the Stock other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to (i) the number and kind of shares of Stock (or other securities or property) subject to the Option and (ii) the exercise price per share for the Option.

(b) In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 5.13 hereof or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in Applicable Law, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Option or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon Participant’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made with respect to the Option, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:

(i) To provide for either (A) termination of the Option in exchange for an amount of cash and/or other property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of the Option or realization of Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 5.13 the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of the Option or realization of Participant’s rights, then the Option may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (B) the replacement of the Option with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion having an aggregate value not exceeding the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of the Option or realization of Participant’s rights had the Option been currently exercisable or payable or fully vested;

(ii) To provide that the Option be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

(iii) To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of the Stock (or other securities or property) subject to the Option, and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the exercise price), the Option;


(iv) To provide that the Option shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all shares of Stock covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement; and

(v) To provide that the Option cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.

(c) In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 5.13(a) and 5.13(b) hereof, the number and type of securities subject to the Option and the exercise price thereof shall be equitably adjusted. The adjustments provided under this Section 5.13(c) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on Participant and the Company.

(d) Change in Control .

(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent award substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation, in each case, as determined by the Administrator.

(ii) In the event that the successor corporation in a Change in Control and its parents and subsidiaries refuse to assume or substitute for the Option in accordance with Section 5.13(d)(i) hereof, the Option shall become fully vested and, as applicable, exercisable and shall be deemed exercised, immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, and all forfeiture restrictions on the Option shall lapse at such time. If the Option vests and, as applicable, is exercised in lieu of assumption or substitution in connection with a Change in Control, the Administrator shall notify Participant of such vesting and any applicable exercise period, and the Option shall terminate upon the Change in Control. For the avoidance of doubt, if the value of the Option that is terminated in connection with this Section 5.13(d)(ii) is zero or negative at the time of such Change in Control, such Option shall be terminated upon the Change in Control without payment of consideration therefor.

(e) No adjustment or action described in this Section 5.13 shall be authorized to the extent such adjustment or action would result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act unless the Administrator determines that the Option is not to comply with such exemptive conditions.

(f) The existence of this Agreement and the Option shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.


(g) In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Stock or the share price of the Stock including any Equity Restructuring, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Company in its sole discretion may refuse to permit the exercise of the Option during a period of thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.

5.14. Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Option and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

5.15. Not a Contract of Service Relationship . Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon Participant any right to continue to serve as an employee or other service provider of the Company or any of its Affiliates or interfere with or restrict in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Affiliates, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or to terminate for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, the services of Participant’s at any time.

5.16. Entire Agreement . The Grant Notice, this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto) and the Change in Control and Severance Agreement entered into between the Company and Participant, dated [November 17, 2015], constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

5.17. Section 409A . This Option is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including, without limitation, any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “ Section 409A ”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement (or any Exhibits hereto), if at any time the Administrator determines that the Option (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify Participant or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Grant Notice or this Agreement (or any Exhibits hereto), or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate either for the Option to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

5.18. Limitation on Participant’s Rights . This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust . Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Option, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Stock as a general unsecured creditor with respect to options, as and when exercised pursuant to the terms hereof.


5.19. Consent to Personal Data Use . Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company is permitted to collect, hold, store, process, modify, transfer, lock or delete certain personal (and sensitive) data in any medium about Participant (i.e., name, home address, telephone number, e-mail address, date of birth, tax identification number and payroll information) as a part of its personnel and other business records for the exclusive purpose of tracking stock option grants, processing stock option exercises and subsequent share transfers and sales, arranging for appropriate tax reporting and withholding and regulatory tracking and reporting purposes and the Company may disclose such information to third parties in the event that such disclosure is in the Company’s view required for the proper tracking of stock option grants, processing stock option exercises and subsequent share transfers and sales, arranging for appropriate tax reporting and withholding and regulatory tracking. For these purposes, this personal data will be transferred to other locations, including locations outside of the European Union and in so-called insecure third-party countries that do not guarantee the data privacy protection level of the European Union.

5.20. Claw-Back Provisions . The Option (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by Participant upon any receipt or exercise of the Option or upon the receipt or resale of any shares of Stock underlying the Option) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including, without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy.

 

5.21. Definitions .

(a) “ Affiliate ” shall mean any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.

(b) “ Applicable Law ” shall mean any applicable law, including, without limitation, (i) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (ii) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (iii) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares of Stock are listed, quoted or traded.

(c) “ Change in Control ” shall mean the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership


(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

(ii) During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new Director(s) (other than a Director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 5.21(c)(i) or 5.21(c)(iii)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

(iii) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

(A) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “ Successor Entity ”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

(B) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 5.21(c)(iii)(B) as beneficially owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or

(iv) The Company’s stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any portion of the Option that provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in subsection (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) with respect to the Option (or portion thereof) must also constitute a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) to the extent required by Section 409A.


The Committee shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, and the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority is in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

(d) “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder, whether issued prior or subsequent to the grant of the Option.

(e) “ Committee ” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee of the Board or another committee or subcommittee of the Board.

(f) “ Consultant ” shall mean any consultant or advisor engaged to provide services to the Company or any Affiliate who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement or any successor Form thereto.

(g) “ Director ” shall mean a member of the Board, as constituted from time to time.

(h) “ DRO ” shall mean a “domestic relations order” as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder.

(i) “ Employee ” shall mean any officer or other employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) of the Company or any Affiliate.

(j) “ Equity Restructuring ” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of shares of Stock (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Stock underlying the Option.

(k) “ Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

(l) “ Fair Market Value ” shall mean, as of any given date, the value of a share of Stock determined as follows:

If the Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) listed, quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a share of Stock as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a share


of Stock on the date in question, the closing sales price for a share of Stock on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

If the Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a share of Stock on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a share of Stock on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

If the Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Administrator in good faith.

(m) “ Independent Director ” means a member of the Board who is an “independent director” within the meaning of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605.

(n) “ Parent ” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities ending with the Company if each of the entities other than the Company beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.

(o) “ Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(p) “ Subsidiary ” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.

(q) “ Termination of Service ” shall mean:

As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of Participant as a Consultant to the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.

As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when Participant who is a Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.


As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between Participant and the Company or any Affiliate is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding terminations where Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.

The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to Terminations of Service, including, without limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute a Termination of Service. For purposes of this Agreement, Participant’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relations shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Affiliate employing or contracting with Participant ceases to remain an Affiliate following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off).

*   *   *   *   *


EXHIBIT B

INDUCEMENT AWARD

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc.

1035 O’Brien Drive, Suite A

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1. Exercise of Option. Effective upon delivery of full payment (or election of payment by shares) of the Exercise Price per Share (the “Exercise Price”) and any required tax withholdings, the undersigned Participant hereby elects to exercise the Participant’s option (“ Option ”), granted on             , to purchase             whole shares (the “ Exercised Shares ”) of shares of Stock under and pursuant to the Inducement Award Stock Option Grant Notice (including Exhibits thereto) (the “ Agreement ”) between the Participant and Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. (the “ Company ”) dated             . Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Notice of Exercise (the “ Exercise Notice ”) shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

2. Delivery of Payment of Exercise Price. The Participant is paying for the Exercised Shares (check as applicable):

 

  ¨ with the consent of the Administrator, by surrender of shares of Stock held for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised Shares; or

 

  ¨ by delivering with this Exercise Notice cash and/or a certified or cashier’s check payable to the Company in the amount of $            ; and/or

 

  ¨ with the consent of the Administrator, by delivering with this Exercise Notice             shares of Stock that are owned by the Participant and endorsed for transfer to the Company and that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the portion of the aggregate Exercise Price being covered thereby (if not prohibited by any contractual arrangement otherwise); and/or

 

  ¨ Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Stock issuable upon exercise of the Option, and the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate Exercise Price, with payment of such proceeds made to the Company at such time as may be required by the Company, but in any event not later than the settlement of such sale.

3. Delivery of Payment of Taxes . The Participant is paying the local, state and federal withholding taxes and/or all other taxes that the Company has advised are due by reason of this exercise of the Option, in the amount of $            (check as applicable):


  ¨ with the consent of the Administrator, by surrender of shares of Stock held for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised Shares; or

 

  ¨ by delivering with this Exercise Notice cash and/or a certified or cashier’s check payable to the Company in the amount of $            ; and/or

 

  ¨ with the consent of the Administrator, by delivering with this Exercise Notice             shares of Stock that are owned by the Participant and endorsed for transfer to the Company and that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the portion of the aggregate Exercise Price being covered thereby (if not prohibited by any contractual arrangement otherwise); and/or

 

  ¨ Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Stock issuable upon exercise of the Option, and the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate Exercise Price, with payment of such proceeds made to the Company at such time as may be required by the Company, but in any event not later than the settlement of such sale.

4. Registration of Shares . Please register the Exercised Shares (check one):

 

  ¨ in the Participant’s name only;

 

  ¨ as community property in the names of the Participant and the Participant’s spouse (            ); or

 

  ¨ in the names of the Participant and the Participant’s spouse (            ), as joint tenants with right of survivorship.

5. Representations of the Participant. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has received, read, and understood the Agreement and this Exercise Notice and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

6. Rights as Stockholder. Until the issuance of the Exercised Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Exercised Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Exercised Shares shall be issued to the Participant as soon as practicable after the Option is exercised. No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in Section 5.13 of the Agreement.


7. Tax Consultation. The Participant understands that the Participant may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the Participant’s purchase or disposition of the Exercised Shares. The Participant represents that the Participant has consulted with any tax consultants the Participant deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Exercised Shares and that the Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

8. Governing Law. This Exercise Notice shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

9. Entire Agreement. The Agreement is incorporated herein by reference. This Exercise Notice and the Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Participant’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and the Participant.

[Signatures appear on next page.]


Submitted by:    Accepted by:
PAUL CLEVELAND    AVALANCHE BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

  

 

Name:    By:

 

  

 

Social Security Number    Title:
Address :    Address :

 

  

1035 O’Brien Drive, Suite A

 

  

Menlo Park, CA 94025

 

  

 

Date Signed    Date Received

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. Names Paul B. Cleveland as CEO

MENLO PARK, Calif., November 20, 2015 – Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAVL), a biopharmaceutical company committed to improving or preserving the sight of people suffering from serious eye diseases with an unmet medical need, today announced the appointment of Paul B. Cleveland to chief executive officer (CEO) and to the Board of Directors, effective December 9. He also will serve as principal financial officer of Avalanche on an interim basis. Mr. Cleveland, previously the chief executive officer of Celladon Corporation, brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to Avalanche, including management and operational experience across the biotechnology industry. This includes positions at multiple public biotechnology companies, including CEO, president, chief financial officer and Board member, as well as chief operating officer at a venture capital firm. Subsequent to December 9, Hans P. Hull, who has been serving as interim CEO of Avalanche since July, will return to his previous role of senior vice president of business operations.

“Paul brings strong operational experience and a foundation in gene therapy to the role of CEO and member of the Board of Avalanche,” said Mark Blumenkranz, chairman of the Board of Directors.

“Avalanche has a promising next generation vector platform and a talented group of experienced professionals with significant records of achievement in the industry,” stated Mr. Cleveland. “I am excited and honored to join this team, which has developed a competitive pipeline, platform and manufacturing capabilities that have the potential to bring next-generation therapies in to the clinic and ultimately to patients.”

Prior to joining Avalanche, Mr. Cleveland served as chief executive officer of Celladon, and served as president and chief financial officer since June 2014. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Sangamo Biosciences and Alder Biopharmaceuticals, where he also serves as chairman of the audit committee. Before joining Celladon, he served as executive vice president of strategy and chief financial officer at Aragon Pharmaceuticals, a privately held, small-molecule drug discovery company that was acquired by Johnson & Johnson. Mr. Cleveland previously served as general partner and chief operating officer at Mohr Davidow Ventures, and prior to that he was executive vice president, corporate development, and chief financial officer for Affymax. Earlier in his career he was an investment banker at J.P. Morgan Chase and Co. and a predecessor firm, Hambrecht & Quist, and a corporate lawyer at Cooley Godward LLP, Sidley Austin LLP, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Mr. Cleveland holds a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and an A.B. from Washington University in St. Louis.

On the date he commences his employment, Avalanche will grant Mr. Cleveland a stock option to purchase 910,000 shares of the company’s common stock. The grant, which will be issued outside of Avalanche’s 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan, was approved by Avalanche’s Board of Directors pursuant to the inducement grant exception under NASDAQ Rule 5635(c)(4), as an inducement that is material to Mr. Cleveland’s entering into employment with Avalanche. The option will have a per share exercise price equal to the closing sales price of Avalanche’s common stock on NASDAQ on the grant date. The option will vest as to 25 percent of the total shares subject to the option on the first anniversary of the grant date, and as to 1/48 of the total shares subject to the option each month thereafter, subject to Mr. Cleveland’s continued service with Avalanche through each vesting date.


About Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc.

Avalanche is a biopharmaceutical company committed to improving or preserving the sight of people suffering from serious eye diseases with an unmet medical need. We are leveraging our next-generation Ocular BioFactory TM gene therapy platform to discover and develop novel medicines with the potential to offer life-changing therapeutic benefit. For more information, please visit www.avalanchebiotech.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding Avalanche’s plans, potential opportunities, expectations, projections, goals, objectives, milestones, strategies, product pipeline, clinical studies, product development and the potential benefits of its products under development, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our product development program, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainties inherent in the product development process, the uncertainties inherent in the regulatory approval process, the timing of our regulatory filings and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of our product candidates. Avalanche undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties relating to the business of Avalanche, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2015, and our subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

# # #

Contacts:

Investor Contact

Lauren Glaser

(650) 656-9347

lauren@avalanchebiotech.com

Media Contact

Emily Miklos

(312) 284-4705

emiklos@w2ogroup.com