Exhibit 10.1

September 26, 2017

David M. Mauney, MD

[Address]

Dear David,

Thank you for considering employment with ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc (the “Company”). Everyone with whom you have interviewed is impressed with your credentials and accomplishments. We believe your training and experience will make you a tremendous asset at this exciting time in the company’s development. I am pleased, therefore, to formally offer you the position of EVP and Chief Business Officer reporting to the CEO, Laurence J. N. Cooper, M.D., Ph.D.

Details of this offer and compensation are as follows:

As with all ZIOPHARM employees, this is employment at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, for any reason, without previous notice. This offer letter is not an employment contract and should not be construed as a contract; ZIOPHARM has the right to change or modify the terms of your employment at any time. No supervisor or other representative of the Company, except our CEO, has any authority to enter into any type of employment agreement with any employee. Any employment agreement entered into by ZIOPHARM must be in writing.

Enclosed, please find an Invention, Non-Disclosure and Non-Competition Agreement for your review. You will be required to sign this agreement upon commencement of your employment with ZIOPHARM. If you have any questions regarding this agreement, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please indicate your acceptance of the terms of this offer by signing and returning one copy of this letter by scan/email (                  ) or by mail (Attn: Lynn Ferrucci, One First Ave., Parris Building #34, Navy Yard Plaza, Boston, MA 02129) by Tuesday, September 26, 2017. We are planning on a start date of September 28, 2017 and agree that you will need to assist with the transition from your current position for a period of about six (6) months for approximately an hour a week. David, we all look forward to welcoming you as a member of the ZIOPHARM team!

Sincerely,

/s/ Lynn M. Ferrucci

Lynn M. Ferrucci

SVP, Human Resources

I agree to the terms of employment as outlined above:

Exhibit 10.2

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

This Severance Agreement (“Agreement”) is made effective as of September 28, 2017 (the “Effective Date”) between David M. Mauney, MD (“Employee”) and ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), collectively referred to as the “Parties.”

WHEREAS, the Employee is employed by the Company in the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer on the terms set forth in an employment offer letter dated September 26, 2017 (the “Offer Letter”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Offer Letter, the Company intends to provide Employee with severance benefits in the event Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated without Cause (as such term is hereinafter defined).

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties, Employee and the Company hereby agree as follows:

1. Employment . Employee is employed by the Company on an at-will basis meaning that either party may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without cause, and without providing a reason for such termination.

2. Termination of Employment .

a. Termination for Cause . The Company may terminate the employment of Employee at any time for Cause (such termination being herein called a “Termination for Cause”). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall mean: (i) Employee’s willful or negligent failure, disregard or refusal to perform his or her duties of employment; (ii) any act by Employee that in the opinion of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, has the effect of injuring the business or reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates, including but not limited to, any officer, director, executive or shareholder of the Company or any of its affiliates; (iii) Employee’s misconduct in respect of his or her duties or obligations, including, without limitation, insubordination with respect to lawful directions received by Employee from the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (or such other executive officer to whom Employee may report); (iv) Employee’s indictment of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude (including entry of a nolo contendere plea); (v) the determination by the Company after a reasonable and good faith investigation by the Company following a written allegation by another employee of the Company, that Employee engaged in some form of harassment prohibited by law (including, without limitation, harassment that constitutes age, sex or race discrimination); (vi) any misappropriation or embezzlement of the property of the Company or its affiliates (whether or not constituting a misdemeanor or felony); (vii) Employee’s breach of any of the provisions of the Company’s Invention, Non-Disclosure and Non-Competition Agreement, as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company; or (viii) Employee’s breach of any provision of this Agreement, as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

b. Termination Without Cause . The Company may terminate Employee’s employment for any legal reason at any time, without notice.

3. Effect of Termination .

a. Termination by the Company Without Cause . If Employee is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, and other than by reason of retirement, death or disability, (i) the Company shall pay to Employee his or her accrued base salary through the date of Employee’s termination, and (ii) a severance amount, payable in a single lump sum, equal to six (6) months of Employee’s annualized base salary at the time of termination (excluding any benefits or bonuses) (the “Severance”). The Severance shall only be payable if Employee signs a general release with the Company, which release must be concluded and executed on or before the date that is two and one-half months after the end of the calendar year in which Employee’s “separation from service” (as defined under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) occurs, whereby Employee shall release the Company from any and all potential liabilities arising out of Employee’s employment with, or termination from employment with, the Company, and which release shall be in form satisfactory to the Company.

b. Termination by the Company for Cause . Upon the termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to a Termination for Cause, Employee will be entitled to receive only Employee’s accrued base salary through the date of Employee’s termination. If Employee is terminated for Cause, he or she will not be entitled to any Severance under Section 3(a) of this Agreement.

c. Voluntary Termination . If the Employee voluntarily terminates his or her employment with the Company, for any reason, Employee will be entitled to receive his or her base salary through the date of Employee’s termination. If Employee terminates his or her employment with the Company, for any reason, Employee will not be entitled to any Severance under Section 3(a) of this Agreement. If the Company receives notice from the Employee of his or her intent to terminate employment with the Company and the Company elects to immediately end the employment relationship, Employee will not be entitled to any Severance under Section 3(a) of this Agreement.

d. Death or Disability of Executive . If Employee dies or becomes disabled during the term of this Agreement, Employee will be entitled to receive Employee’s accrued base salary through the date of Employee’s termination. If Employee’s employment is terminated due to death or disability, Employee will not be entitled to any Severance under Section 3(a) of this Agreement.

4. Effect of Termination on Benefits.

a. If Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated, Employee may elect to continue, and the Company shall continue to provide, Employee’s existing medical and dental coverage under the Company’s medical and dental insurance plans, if any, for a period of up to eighteen (18) months from the date of termination, with the entire cost of such medical and dental insurance coverage from and after the date of termination to be borne entirely by Employee; provided, however, that if Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company (or its successor) without Cause, the Company shall continue to pay its contributions for such medical and dental insurance coverage for the first six (6) months following the date of termination.

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b. Except as otherwise specifically provided for in subsection (a) of this Section 4, or in Section 3 above, upon termination of Employee’s employment, Employee shall have no further entitlement to any other compensation or benefits from the Company.

5. Prior Agreements . This Agreement and the Offer Letter contain the entire understanding of the parties with regard to all matters contained herein. There are no other agreements, conditions or representations, oral or written, expressed or implied relating to such matters.

6. Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives and any entity with which the Company may merge or consolidate or to which the Company may sell substantially all of its assets, provided that this Agreement may not be assigned by Employee.

7. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, applying to contracts fully executed and performed within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

8. Section Headings; Gender; Number . The section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only; they form no part of this Agreement and will not affect its interpretation. Words used herein, regardless of the number and gender specifically used, will be deemed and construed to include any other number, singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine, feminine or neuter, as the context requires.

The Parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the Effective Date.

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Exhibit 10.3

ZIOPHARM O NCOLOGY , I NC .

S TOCK O PTION G RANT N OTICE

(I NDUCEMENT G RANT O UTSIDE OF 2012 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN )

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (the “ Company ”) hereby grants to Optionholder an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below. This option is granted outside of the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), and is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this notice, in the Option Agreement, the Plan (as if it had been granted under the Plan) and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Option Agreement will have the same definitions as in the Plan or the Option Agreement. If there is any conflict between the terms in this notice and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

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Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Optionholder acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan. Optionholder acknowledges and agrees that this Stock Option Grant Notice and the Option Agreement may not be modified, amended or revised except as provided in the Plan. Optionholder further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Stock Option Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Optionholder and the Company regarding this option award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of (i) options previously granted and delivered to Optionholder, and (ii) the following agreements only. By accepting this option, you consent to receive these documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an online or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

A TTACHMENTS : Option Agreement, 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and Notice of Exercise

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A TTACHMENT I

O PTION A GREEMENT

ZIOPHARM O NCOLOGY , I NC .

I NDUCEMENT G RANT O UTSIDE OF

2012 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN

O PTION A GREEMENT

(N ONSTATUTORY S TOCK O PTION )

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“ Grant Notice ”) and this Option Agreement, ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (the “ Company ”) has granted you an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. The option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “ Date of Grant ”). The option is granted in compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5634(c)(4) as a material inducement to you entering into employment with the Company. The option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option and is granted outside of, but subject to the terms of, the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) and other relevant Plan provisions as if the option had been granted as a Nonstatutory Stock Option under Section 5 of the Plan, provided that for the avoidance of doubt, the shares of Common Stock subject to this option shall not reduce and shall have no impact on the number of shares available for grant under the Plan. If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of your option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:

1. V ESTING . Your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

2. N UMBER OF S HARES AND E XERCISE P RICE . The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share in your Grant Notice will be adjusted for Capitalization Adjustments.

3. E XERCISE R ESTRICTION FOR N ON -E XEMPT E MPLOYEES . If you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (that is, a “ Non-Exempt Employee ”), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan, you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six (6) months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant, even if you have already been an employee for more than six (6) months. Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, you may exercise your option as to any vested portion prior to such six (6) month anniversary in the case of (i) your death or disability; (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which your option is not assumed, continued or substituted; (iii) a Change in Control; or (iv) your termination of Continuous Service on your “retirement” (as defined in the Company’s benefit plans).

4. E XERCISE PRIOR TO V ESTING (“E ARLY E XERCISE ”). This option may not be exercised prior to vesting.

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5. M ETHOD OF P AYMENT . You must pay the full amount of the exercise price for the shares you wish to exercise. You may pay the exercise price in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:

(a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds. This manner of payment is also known as a “broker-assisted exercise,” “same day sale,” or “sell to cover.”

(b) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. “Delivery” for these purposes, in the sole discretion of the Company at the time you exercise your option, will include delivery to the Company of your attestation of ownership of such shares of Common Stock in a form approved by the Company. You may not exercise your option by delivery to the Company of Common Stock if doing so would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

(c) Subject to the consent of the Company at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price. You must pay any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by the “net exercise” in cash or other permitted form of payment. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter if those shares (i) are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (ii) are delivered to you as a result of such exercise, and (iii) are withheld to satisfy your tax withholding obligations.

6. W HOLE S HARES . You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

7. S ECURITIES L AW C OMPLIANCE . In no event may you exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations (including any restrictions on exercise required for compliance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.401(k)-1(d)(3), if applicable).

8. T ERM . You may not exercise your option before the Date of Grant or after the expiration of the option’s term. The term of your option expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:

(a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

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(b) three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, your Disability or your death (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(d)); provided, however , that if during any part of such three (3) month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the section above relating to “Securities Law Compliance,” your option will not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it has been exercisable for an aggregate period of three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service; provided further , that if (i) you are a Non-Exempt Employee, (ii) your Continuous Service terminates within six (6) months after the Date of Grant, and (iii) you have vested in a portion of your option at the time of your termination of Continuous Service, your option will not expire until the earlier of (x) the later of (A) the date that is seven (7) months after the Date of Grant, and (B) the date that is three (3) months after the termination of your Continuous Service, and (y) the Expiration Date;

(c) twelve (12) months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(d));

(d) eighteen (18) months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than Cause;

(e) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

(f) the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant.

9. E XERCISE .

(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option during its term by (i) delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) and delivering any other documents and completing any procedures required by the Company for exercise, and (ii) paying the exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes to the Company’s Secretary, stock plan administrator, or such other person as the Company may designate.

(b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (i) the exercise of your option, (ii) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (iii) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise.

10. T RANSFERABILITY . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

(a) Certain Trusts. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust. You and the trustee must enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

(b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.421-1(b)(2) that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement.

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(c) Beneficiary Designation. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company and any broker designated by the Company to handle option exercises, designate a third party who, on your death, will thereafter be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate will be entitled to exercise this option and receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

11. A CCELERATION OF V ESTING U PON U NAFFILIATED C HANGE IN C ONTROL AND T ERMINATION W ITHOUT C AUSE .

(a) If an Unaffiliated Change in Control occurs and your Continuous Service terminates due to an involuntary termination (not including death or Disability) without Cause (as such term is defined in the then effective employment agreement or severance agreement between you and the Company, or in the Plan if such term is not defined in a then effective employment agreement or severance agreement between you and the Company) (i) within eighteen (18) months following the occurrence of an Unaffiliated Change in Control or (ii) within 90 days prior to and in connection with the occurrence of an Unaffiliated Change in Control, then, as of the date of termination of Continuous Service, the vesting and exercisability of your option shall be accelerated in full.

(b) “ Unaffiliated Change of Control ” shall mean a Change of Control (as such term is defined in the Section 13(g) of the Plan) where the Subject Person or other acquiring party in such Change of Control is not Intrexon Corporation or Third Security, LLC, or any affiliate of such parties.

(c) If any payment or benefit you would receive pursuant to a Change in Control or Unaffiliated Change of Control from the Company or otherwise (“ Payment ”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “ Excise Tax ”), then such Payment shall be equal to the Reduced Amount. The “ Reduced Amount ” shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in your receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payment equals the Reduced Amount, reduction shall occur in the following order unless you elect in writing a different order (provided, however, that such election shall be subject to Company approval if made on or after the effective date of the event that triggers the Payment): reduction of cash payments; cancellation of accelerated vesting of Stock Awards; reduction of employee benefits. In the event that acceleration of vesting of Stock Award compensation is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of your Stock Awards (i.e., earliest granted Stock Award cancelled last) unless you elect in writing a different order for cancellation. The accounting firm engaged by the Company for general audit purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the Change in Control shall perform the foregoing calculations. If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required

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to be made hereunder. The accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to you and the Company within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which your right to a Payment is triggered (if requested at that time by you or the Company) or such other time as requested by you or the Company. If the accounting firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable with respect to a Payment, either before or after the application of the Reduced Amount, it shall furnish you and the Company with an opinion reasonably acceptable to you that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to such Payment. Any good faith determinations of the accounting firm made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive upon you and the Company.

12. O PTION NOT A S ERVICE C ONTRACT . Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

13. W ITHHOLDING O BLIGATIONS .

(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, and at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “same day sale” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.

(b) Upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes). If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence will not be permitted unless you make a proper and timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option. Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock will be withheld solely from fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise. Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure will be your sole responsibility.

(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company will have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock or release such shares of Common Stock from any escrow provided for herein, if applicable, unless such obligations are satisfied.

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14. T AX C ONSEQUENCES . You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees, or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the “fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option.

15. N OTICES . Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this option by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an online or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

16. G OVERNING P LAN D OCUMENT . G OVERNING P LAN D OCUMENT . Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan as if the option had been granted under the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control.

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A TTACHMENT II

2012 E QUITY I NCENTIVE P LAN

A TTACHMENT III

N OTICE OF E XERCISE

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.

One First Avenue

Parris Building 34, Navy Yard Plaza

Boston, MA 02129                                                                                                       Date of Exercise:                     

This constitutes notice to ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (the “ Company ”) under my stock option that I elect to purchase the below number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “ Shares ”) for the price set forth below.

By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and (ii) to provide for the payment by me to you (in the manner designated by you) of your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of this option.