UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): June 10, 2016

 

 

ADVERUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36579   20-5258327
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (Commission   (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation)   File No.)   Identification No.)

1035 O’Brien Drive

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) The Compensation Committee (the “ Compensation Committee ”) of the Board of Directors of Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. (the “ Company ”) announced today that Leone Patterson has been appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, effective June 15, 2016, or at such later date determined by mutual agreement (the “ Commencement Date ”). Ms. Patterson will also assume the duties of the Company’s Principal Financial Officer.

Ms. Patterson served as the Chief Financial Officer of Diadexus, Inc., a publicly held diagnostics company, from March 2015 to June 2016. Prior to that, Ms. Patterson was vice president and Chief Financial Officer of Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly held biopharmaceutical company, from June 2012 until it was acquired in a reverse merger with Paratek Pharmaceuticals Inc. on October 30, 2014. From November 2010 to June 2012, Ms. Patterson served as vice president and global corporate controller of NetApp, Inc., a publicly held data management and storage company. From July 2007 to November 2010, Ms. Patterson was vice president of finance at Exelixis, Inc, a publicly held biopharmaceutical company. Before Exelixis, Ms. Patterson served as vice president of global business planning and analysis of the Vaccines and Diagnostics Division of Novartis AG, a biopharmaceutical company, from April 2006 to July 2007. From 1999 to 2006, she held several positions, including vice president, corporate controller at Chiron, a biotechnology company. From 1989 to 1999, Ms. Patterson worked in the audit practice of accounting firm KPMG where she held various positions including senior manager. Ms. Patterson earned a B.S. in business administration and accounting from Chapman University and an executive MBA from St. Mary’s College. Ms. Patterson is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive status).

There are no family relationships between Ms. Patterson 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 Ms. Patterson and any other persons pursuant to which she was selected as Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Patterson 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 her appointment as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Ms. Patterson and the Company have entered into an at-will employment agreement dated June 10, 2016 (the “ Offer Letter ”). Under the terms of the Offer Letter, Ms. Patterson will receive an annual base salary of $340,000 and will be eligible for an annual target bonus equal to 40% of her base salary earned during the bonus year based on the attainment of certain individual and corporate performance objectives to be determined by the Company’s management each year.

In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Offer Letter, on the Commencement Date the Company will grant Ms. Patterson a stock option to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “ Option ”) and a restricted stock unit award that may be settled for 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “ RSU Award ”), in each case pursuant to the inducement grant exception under NASDAQ Rule 5635(c)(4) and not pursuant to the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan or any equity incentive plan of the Company, as an inducement that is material to Ms. Patterson in connection with her employment with the Company. 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 RSU Award will vest as to 25% of the total shares subject to the RSU Award on each yearly anniversary of the Commencement Date, so that all shares subject to the RSU Award will be fully vested and released as of the fourth anniversary of the Commencement Date.


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

Concurrently with the execution of the Offer Letter, the Company and Ms. Patterson 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, Ms. Patterson will be entitled to (i) nine months of base salary and (ii) up to nine 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, Ms. Patterson will be entitled to (i) an amount equal to the sum of (x) twelve months of base salary and (y) a prorated target annual bonus for the year in which such termination occurs, payable in a lump sum, (ii) up to 12 months of continued healthcare coverage and (iii) the accelerated vesting of all of her outstanding equity awards. The benefits described above are conditioned upon Ms. Patterson executing and not revoking a release of claims against the Company.

In connection with Ms. Patterson’s appointment, Paul B. Cleveland will no longer serve as the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer, effective as of the Commencement Date. Mr. Cleveland will continue to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company.

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.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On June 13, 2016, the Company issued a press release (the “ Press Release ”) announcing the Compensation Committee’s appointment of Ms. Patterson as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, effective June 15, 2016 or at a later date determined by mutual agreement. 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 June 10, 2016, by and between Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. and Leone Patterson.


Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.2    Change in Control and Severance Agreement, dated June 10, 2016, by and between Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. and Leone Patterson.
99.1    Press Release, dated June 13, 2016.


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: June 13, 2016     ADVERUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Paul B. Cleveland

      Paul B. Cleveland, Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.1    Offer Letter, dated June 10, 2016, by and between Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. and Leone Patterson.
10.2    Change in Control and Severance Agreement, dated June 10, 2016, by and between Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. and Leone Patterson.
99.1    Press Release, dated June 13, 2016.

Exhibit 10.1

Leone Patterson

***

Re: Employment Terms for Chief Financial Officer

Dear Ms. Patterson:

This letter agreement (the “Agreement”) memorializes the employment terms for your anticipated hire by Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. (the “Company”) in the position of Chief Financial Officer reporting to Paul Cleveland, Chief Executive Officer. These terms will become effective on June 15, 2016, or at a later date determined by mutual agreement and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (as applicable, the “Hire Date”).

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

1. Compensation and Benefits.

Your base salary will be $340,000 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 2016 you will be eligible to earn an annual performance bonus with a target bonus amount equal to Forty Percent (40%) of your salary earned during the bonus year, provided that you are actively employed from the Hire Date through and including the date the bonus is paid. Your annual bonus will be calculated based on attainment of individual goals (including corporate and personal objectives) to be determined by the Company’s management each year. Bonus payments will be in the form of cash and/or incentive stock options, and will be granted at the discretion of the Company’s CEO and Board of Directors. Any cash bonus payments will be less payroll deductions and all required withholdings.

You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s general employee benefits in accordance with the terms, conditions and limitations of any such benefit plans, as in effect from time to time.

2. Incentive Stock Option and Restricted Stock Units grants.

In addition to the compensation and benefits described above, the Company will grant you Two Hundred Thousand (200,000) Stock Options, representing the option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a price equal to the closing price of the common stock on the Hire Date. The foregoing stock option will be subject to the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and standard form of stock option agreement (the “Option Agreement”), and shall provide that 25% of the shares vest after twelve (12) months, and the remaining 75% of the shares vest in equal monthly installments over the following thirty-six (36) months.

In addition the Company will grant you One Hundred Thousand (100,000) Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”). The foregoing RSU award will be subject to the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and standard form of RSU agreement, and 25% of the shares of common stock subject to the award of RSUs shall vest and be released on each yearly anniversary of the Hire Date, such that all shares subject to the award of RSUs shall be vested and released on the fourth (4 th ) anniversary of the Hire Date.

 

www.adverumbio.com


3. Confidentiality and Proprietary Information Obligations.

 

  (a) Company Policies and Proprietary Information Agreement. You will be required to sign the Employee Proprietary Information and Invention 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 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 Company’s CEO. 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.

4. 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 that 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.

5. At Will Employment; Change in Control and Severance Agreement.

Subject only to the benefits described in the Change in Control and Severance Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B, 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. The Company also has the right to reassign you or change your compensation at any time, with or without cause or 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.

 

Page 2


6. Miscellaneous.

6.1. Conditions of employment. 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 Proprietary Information Agreement and the Acknowledgment of Business Ethics and Conduct Guide and Company Policies by or on your first day of employment.

6.2. Entire agreement. This Agreement, together with your Proprietary Information Agreement (Exhibit A) and Change in Control and Severance Agreement (Exhibit B), 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.

6.3. Succession and assignment. This Agreement is personal to you and shall not be assigned by you. Any purported assignment by you shall be null and void from the initial date of the purported assignment. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and permitted successors and assigns.

6.4. Enforceability. 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.

6.5. Governing law and jurisdiction. 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 action or proceeding by either of the parties to enforce this Agreement shall be brought only in a state or federal court located in the state of California, county of San Mateo. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waive the defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding in such venue.

6.6. Headings and captions. The captions of the sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance of any section of this Agreement.

6.7. No construction against drafter. Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed against either party as the drafter.

6.8. Waiver. 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.

6.9. Counterparts. 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.

7. Acknowledgement of Full Understanding. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU HAVE FULLY READ, UNDERSTAND AND VOLUNTARILY ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOICE BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT.

 

Page 3


Please sign and date this letter and return it to me 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,
Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.:

/s/ Paul Cleveland

Paul Cleveland, Chief Executive Officer
Understood and Accepted:

/s/ Leone Patterson

Leone Patterson
Date: June 10, 2016

 

Page 4

Exhibit 10.2

ADVERUM 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 Leone Patterson (“Executive”) and Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. (the “Company”), effective as of the latest date set forth by the signatures of the parties hereto below (the “Effective Date”).

RECITALS

A. Executive and the Company are entering into an offer letter agreement, effective as of Executive’s Hire Date as defined in therein (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.

E. 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 Effective Date 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.

 

1


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 nine (9) 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 (60 th ) 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 nine (9)-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 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 to the sum of: (i) twelve (12) months of the Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect immediately before the date of the Covered Termination and (ii) a prorated target annual bonus for the year in which Executive’s termination occurs (prorated based on the number of days of Executive’s service in such year relative to the full calendar year). Such amount shall be payable in a cash lump sum, less applicable withholdings, on the sixtieth (60 th ) day after the date of the Covered Termination.

 

2


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

 

3


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, in each case, in reverse chronological order beginning with the Payment that is to be paid the furthest in time from consummation of the transaction that is subject to Section 280G of the Code: (1) cash payments, non-cash forms of benefits and equity-based payments and acceleration, in each case to the extent not subject to Section 409A of the Code (with the ordering of reduction among such amounts determined by Executive); (2) cash payments subject to Section 409A of the Code; (3) equity-based payments and acceleration subject to Section 409A of the Code; and (4) non-cash forms of benefits subject to Section 409A of the Code; provided that in the case of all the foregoing Payments, all amounts or payments that are not subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c) shall be reduced before any amounts that are subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c).

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 Proprietary 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

 

4


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)(ii)) 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 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; or (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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a resignation shall not constitute a “Constructive Termination” unless the event or condition giving rise to such resignation continues more than

 

5


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.

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 Legal Department.

10. Confidentiality; Non-Solicitation .

(a) Confidentiality . Nothing herein modifies, supersedes, voids or otherwise alters Executive’s pre-existing contractual obligations set forth in the Employee Proprietary Information and Invention Assignment Agreement (“Proprietary Information Agreement”) entered into between Executive and the Company.

(b) Interference with Business . Consistent with Executive’s obligations under the Proprietary Information Agreement, Executive shall not during Executive’s employment or for a period of one (1) year following termination of employment for any reason, directly or indirectly solicit, induce, recruit, or encourage any officer, director, employee, independent contractor or consultant of the Company who was employed by or affiliated with the Company at the time of termination to leave the Company or terminate his or her employment or relationship with the Company. Executive agrees not to make, publish or communicate at any time to any person or entity or in any public forum any defamatory or disparaging remarks, comments or

 

6


statements concerning the Company or its businesses, or any of its employees, officers, and existing and prospective customers, suppliers, investors and other associated third parties. Executive agrees not to use the Company’s Proprietary Information (as defined in Executive’s Proprietary Information Agreement) to directly or indirectly interrupt, disturb or interfere with the Company’s relationships with any customer, vendor, supplier, licensor, investor, consultant, independent contractor or other business partner, or to compete unfairly with 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. 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 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 11(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 11(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) Installment Payments. Each installment payment payable under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

7


(iv) 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 Executive’s Proprietary 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.

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

(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 )

 

8


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.

 

ADVERUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Paul B. Cleveland

Title: Chief Executive Officer
Date: June 10, 2016
EXECUTIVE
By:  

/s/ Leone Patterson

  Leone Patterson
Date: June 10, 2016

 

9

Exhibit 99.1

ADVERUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES APPOINTS LEONE PATTERSON AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

MENLO PARK, Calif., June 13, 2016 – Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADVM) a gene therapy company committed to discovering and developing novel medicines for patients living with rare diseases or diseases of the eye who currently have limited or burdensome treatment options, today announced the appointment of Leone Patterson as chief financial officer (CFO). Ms. Patterson brings more than 20 years of professional finance and accounting experience to Adverum.

“I am pleased to announce Leone’s appointment to the post of CFO,” said Paul B. Cleveland, chief executive officer. “Leone’s talents, temperament and experience will serve us well as we build shareholder value by advancing our gene therapy product candidates.”

“Adverum stands at the forefront of gene therapy innovation,” stated Leone Patterson. “With its refreshed pipeline and first in-human trials of ANN-01 set to start by the end of the year, this is an exciting time to join this impressive team and I am pleased to have this opportunity.”

Ms. Patterson joins Adverum from DiaDexus where she was chief financial officer responsible for all financial, administrative, legal and risk management functions. Before that, she was CFO at Transcept Pharmaceuticals Inc. from 2012 until it was acquired in a reverse merger with Paratek Pharmaceuticals in 2014. Previously, Ms. Patterson was vice president and global corporate controller of NetApp from 2010 to 2012. She was vice president of finance at Exelixis from 2007 to 2010. Before Exelixis, Ms. Patterson served as vice president of global business planning and analysis of the Vaccines and Diagnostics Division of Novartis AG from 2006 to 2007. From 1999 to 2006, she held several positions, including vice president, corporate controller at Chiron. She also worked in the audit practice of accounting firm KPMG where she held various positions including senior manager.

Ms. Patterson holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration and accounting from Chapman University and an executive master’s degree in business administration from St. Mary’s College. Ms. Patterson is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive status).

On the date she commences her employment, Adverum will grant Ms. Patterson a stock option to purchase 200,000 shares of the company’s common stock and a restricted stock unit award to be settled for 100,000 shares of the company’s common stock. The grant, which will be issued outside of Adverum’s 2014 Equity Incentive Award Plan, was approved by Adverum’s Compensation Committee pursuant to the inducement grant exception under NASDAQ Rule 5635(c)(4), as an inducement that is material to Ms. Patterson’s entering into employment with Adverum. The option will have a per share exercise price equal to the closing sales price of Adverum’s common stock on NASDAQ on the grant date, and 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 Ms. Patterson’s continued service with Adverum through each vesting date. The RSU award will vest as to 25 percent of the total shares subject to the award on each anniversary of the grant date, subject to Ms. Patterson’s continued service with Adverum through each vesting date.


About Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.

Adverum is a gene therapy company committed to discovering and developing novel medicines that can offer life-changing benefits to patients living with rare diseases or diseases of the eye who currently have limited or burdensome treatment options .  Adverum has a robust pipeline and is leveraging its next-generation adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based directed evolution platform to generate product candidates designed to provide durable efficacy by inducing sustained expression of a therapeutic protein. Our focus on the patient is supported by clinical development expertise and core capabilities in vector optimization, process development, manufacturing, and assay development. For more information, please visit www.adverumbio.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Adverum’s plans, potential opportunities, expectations, projections, goals, objectives, milestones, strategies, product pipeline, the sufficiency of its resources to fund the advancement of any development program or the completion of any clinical trials, and the safety, efficacy, and projected development timeline and commercial potential of products under development, all of which are based on certain assumptions made by us on current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Adverum may not consummate any plans or product development goals in a timely manner, or at all, or otherwise carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with the ability to project future cash utilization and reserves needed for contingent future liabilities and business operations, the availability of sufficient resources for Adverum’s operations and to conduct or continue planned development programs and planned clinical trials and the ability to successfully develop any of its product candidates. Risks and uncertainties facing Adverum are described more fully in Adverum’s periodic reports filed with the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Adverum undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

###


Contacts

For Adverum:

Lauren Glaser

(650) 656-9347

lglaser@adverumbio.com