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 20, 2017

 

 

REPLIGEN CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-14656   04-2729386

 

 

 

 

 

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

41 Seyon Street, Bldg. 1, Suite 100, Waltham, MA

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(781) 250-0111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

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 communications 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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

 

 


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

On November 20, 2017, Repligen Corporation (the “Company”) entered into a Transitional Services and Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) with Howard Benjamin, pursuant to which Dr. Benjamin will retire from his role as the Company’s Vice President of Business Development and cease to be an “executive officer” of the Company, effective December 31, 2017 (the “Transition Start Date”), and thereafter provide services to the Company on a part-time, as needed basis through February 28, 2018 (the “Separation Date”) at the direction of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Under the terms of the Separation Agreement, Dr. Benjamin will continue to receive his base salary and benefits now in effect through the Transition Start Date. Dr. Benjamin will continue to vest in his outstanding time-based equity awards through the Separation Date. Any equity rights that are not vested as of the Separation Date will terminate as of such date.

The above description of the Separation Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Separation Agreement, which is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

10.1 Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2017, by and between Repligen Corporation and Howard Benjamin.


SIGNATURES

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.

 

   

REPLIGEN CORPORATION

Date: November 22, 2017     By:  

/s/ Tony J. Hunt

       

Tony J. Hunt

President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 10.1

 

LOGO

Personal and Confidential

November 20, 2017

Howard Benjamin, Ph.D.

410 Marrett Rd.

Lexington, MA 02421

Re:     Transitional Services and Separation Agreement

Dear Howard:

This letter confirms that you and Repligen Corporation (“Repligen” or the “Company”) have reached an amicable decision for you to transition from your role as Vice President of Business Development and for your employment relationship to end in accordance with this Transitional Services and Separation Agreement (the “Agreement”). You and the Company thus agree as follows:

1.     Separation Date; Transition Period

Your employment with the Company will end on February 28, 2018, unless you or the Company elects to end your employment on an earlier date, which, although unlikely, either of you may do despite anything else to the contrary in this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the actual last day of your employment will be referred to as the “Separation Date,” and the period between the date of this Agreement and the Separation Date is the “Transition Period.”

The Company anticipates that the Transition Period will be divided into two phases, with the first phase lasting until December  31, 2017 and the second lasting from January  1 through February 28, 2018. During the first phase, you will continue in your current role as Vice President of Business Development with the same duties, subject to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer’s (“CEO”) modification and direction as to your duties, hours and schedule. During this phase, you will continue to receive your regular base salary rate and benefits.

In the second phase, which would begin on January 1, you would remain employed, but on a part-time, hourly basis, working on an as-needed basis as directed by the CEO. During this phase, the Company will pay you an hourly rate of $141 per hour, which is obtained by dividing your 2017 base salary of $293,117 by 2,080. You will continue to receive your benefits subject to the terms of the Company’s benefit plans.

2.     Equity

During the Transition Period, you will continue to vest in your outstanding time-based equity grants consistent with the Company’s 2012 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and the applicable award agreements (along with the applicable agreements governing your performance-based

 

41 Seyon Street, Building 1, Suite 100, Waltham, MA 02453, USA | Phone: 781-250-0111 | repligen.com


equity, the “Equity Documents”). You agree that your Spectrum performance-based restricted stock units will not vest during the Transition Period because 2018 revenue will not be known as of the Separation Date. Your current equity rights are summarized on Exhibit A attached, and you agree that the summary is correct. Any equity rights that are not vested as of the Separation Date shall terminate immediately as of the Separation Date and be null and void as of that Date. Your vested equity rights shall remain subject to the Equity Documents in all respects, both during the Transition Period and after the Separation Date.

3.     Bonuses

(a)     2017 Bonus . Subject to (i) you executing the Certificate Updating Release of Claims in the form attached as Exhibit B (the “Certificate”) on or within seven (7) days after the Separation Date and (ii) the discretion of the Compensation Committee, you will be eligible for a 2017 bonus in an amount determined by the Compensation Committee (the “2017 Bonus”). The Company anticipates that the 2017 Bonus, if any, will be paid no later than March 16, 2018.

(b)     Spectrum Integration Incentive Bonus . You shall continue to be eligible for the first payout of the Spectrum Integration Incentive Bonus (the “Spectrum Bonus”). Pursuant to the resolution of the Company’s Compensation Committee on October 5, 2017, the CEO shall, in his sole discretion, determine the amount of any such Spectrum Bonus to be paid to you, and such amount will be paid at the same time Spectrum Bonuses are paid to other employees, but in any event during the 2018 calendar year. You will not be eligible for the second payout of the Spectrum Bonus.

4.     Nondisparagement

You agree not to make any disparaging statements (whether written, oral, through social or electronic media or otherwise) concerning the Company or any of its affiliates or current officers, directors, employees, managers products or services.

5.     Release of Claims

In consideration for, among other terms, the Transition Period, to which you acknowledge you would not otherwise be entitled, you voluntarily release and forever discharge the Company, its affiliated and related entities, its and their respective predecessors, successors and assigns, its and their respective employee benefit plans and fiduciaries of such plans, and the current and former officers, directors, shareholders, employees, attorneys, accountants and agents of each of the foregoing in their official and personal capacities (collectively referred to as the “ Releasees ”) generally from all claims, demands, debts, damages and liabilities of every name and nature, known or unknown (“ Claims ”) that, as of the date when you sign this Agreement, you have, ever had, now claim to have or ever claimed to have had against any or all of the Releasees. This release includes, without limitation, all Claims:

 

    relating to your employment by the Company and your decision to terminate your employment with the Company;

 

    under federal, state or local law (including, without limitation, Claims of discrimination or retaliation under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act);

 

2


    for wages, bonuses, incentive compensation, stock, stock options, restricted stock units, severance, vacation pay or any other compensation or benefits, either under the Massachusetts Wage Act, M.G.L. c. 149, §§148-150C, or otherwise; and

 

    for damages or other remedies of any sort, including, without limitation, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees.

provided , however, that this release shall not affect your rights under this Agreement.

6.     Protected Disclosures and Other Protected Actions; Defend Trade Secrets Act

Nothing contained in this Agreement (including Section 5) or the Restrictive Covenant Agreement limits your ability to (i) file a charge or complaint with, communicate with, or participate in an investigation (including providing documents in connection with an investigation) with any federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (a “Government Agency”); or (ii) truthfully testify in litigation. If you file any charge or complaint with any Government Agency and if the Government Agency pursues any claim on your behalf, or if any other third party pursues any claim on your behalf, you waive any right to monetary or other individualized relief (either individually or as part of any collective or class action); provided that nothing in this Agreement limits any right you may have to receive a whistleblower award or bounty for information provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In addition, under the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, you shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law or under this Agreement or the Restrictive Covenant Agreement (as defined below) for the disclosure of a trade secret that (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

7.     Other Provisions

(a)     Enforceability and Interpretation . This Agreement shall be governed by Massachusetts law and any dispute under this Agreement shall be heard by Massachusetts courts. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. If any part of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable, such part shall be reformed and enforced to its maximum permissible extent, and the rest of the Agreement shall remain enforceable. In signing this Agreement, you are not relying upon any promises or representations made by anyone at or on behalf of the Company.

(b)     Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Company and supersedes any previous agreements or understanding between you and the Company, including the Offer Letter dated December 2, 2008, except for the Equity Documents and the Confidentiality, Non-Solicit, and Patent Agreement signed by you on June  17, 2013 (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”). The terms of the Restrictive Covenant Agreement are incorporated by reference into this Agreement.

 

3


(c) Time for Consideration; Effective Date . You have the opportunity to consider this Agreement for up to twenty-one (21)  days (the “Consideration Period”). To accept this Agreement, you must return a signed, unmodified original or PDF copy of this Agreement so that it is received by me at or before the expiration of the Consideration Period. You have seven (7)  days from the day you enter into this Agreement to revoke it (the “Revocation Period”). To revoke this Agreement, you must provide a written notice so that it is received by me on or before the last day of the Revocation Period. This Agreement shall become effective on the first business day following the Revocation Period, provided that you do not revoke it (the “Effective Date”). You acknowledge that you have been advised to discuss all aspects of this Agreement with your attorney.

Please indicate your agreement to the terms of this Agreement by signing and returning to me the this letter (either the original or a PDF copy is fine) within the Consideration Period.

Very truly yours,

REPLIGEN CORPORATION

 

By:   

/s/ Tony J. Hunt

     

November 20, 2017

   Tony J. Hunt       Date
   President and CEO      

The foregoing is agreed to and accepted by:

     

/s/ Howard Benjamin

     

November 21, 2017

Howard Benjamin       Date

 

4


Exhibit A

Repligen Corporation

Participant Holdings

Report Date Range: 1/1/1900-11/15/2017

 

Participant ID   Holding Group     Grant Number/     Plan/Security   Grant Type/     Date   Shares     Share     Grant/ Share     Exer. w/ Early-     Vested &     Cancelled or     Opt/SARS     Opt/SARS  
          Certificate         Grant No. Ref.         Granted     Holdings     Price     Exer. Shares/     Earned     WHTC Shares     Outstanding     Exercisable/  
                                                Releases/Value                 RS & DEs     RS Awards  

YFP000188

                         

Options/SARs

                         

YFP000188

   
Options/
SARs

 
    0000000000759     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     ISO     2/27/2014     3,969       $ 15.910000       1,323.00       3,969       0       2,646       2,646  
      0000000000841     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     ISO     2/26/2015     4,280       $ 26.200000       0.00       1,270       0       4,280       1,270  
      0000000000954     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     NQSO     2/26/2015     4,751       $ 26.200000       0.00       4,751       0       4,751       4,751  
      0000000000976     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     ISO     2/26/2016     4,649       $ 26.050000       0.00       0       0       4,649       0  
      0000000000977     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     NQSO     2/26/2016     7,537       $ 26.050000       0.00       4,062       0       7,537       4,062  
      1066     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     ISO     2/23/2017     2,763       $ 32.400000       0.00       0       0       2,763       0  
      1066N     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     NQSO     2/23/2017     5,526       $ 32.400000       0.00       0       0       5,526       0  

Options/SARs Total

              33,475       0              

RS Awards

                         
    RS Awards       0000000000765     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     RSU     2/27/2014     5,962       $ 0.000000       5,962.00       5,962       0       0       0  
      0000000000825     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     RSU     2/26/2015     4,691       $ 0.000000       3,127.00       3,127       0       1,564       0  
      0000000000962     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     RSU     2/26/2016     6,263       $ 0.000000       2,088.00       2,088       0       4,175       0  
      1073     Repligen Corp 2012                    
      Stock Option &                    
      Incentive Plan     RSU     2/23/2017     4,506       $ 0.000000       0.00       0       0       4,506       0  

RS Awards Total

              21,422       0              

Stock

                         
    Stock       373     Repligen    
Opt/
SAR(#000000

 
                 
      Corporation     0000711)     6/5/2014       10,000     $ 6.230000       325,300.00          
      374     Repligen    
Opt/
SAR(#000000

 
                 
      Corporation     0000711)     3/18/2015       10,000     $ 6.230000       325,300.00          
      375     Repligen    
Opt/
SAR(#000000

 
                 
      Corporation     0000711)     5/24/2016       10,000     $ 6.230000       325,300.00          
      407     Repligen    
Opt/
SAR(#000000

 
                 
      Corporation     0000759)     3/18/2015       1,323     $ 15.910000       43,037.19          
      430     Repligen    
Opt/
SAR(#000000

 
                 
      Corporation     0000754)     3/18/2015       2,484     $ 15.910000       80,804.52          
      437     Repligen     RSU(#0000000000                    
      Corporation     765)     2/27/2015       1,988     $ 25.710000       64,669.64          
      438     Repligen     RSU(#0000000000                    
      Corporation     765)     2/29/2016       1,987     $ 26.050000       64,637.11          
      456     Repligen     RSU(#0000000000                    
      Corporation     825)     2/29/2016       1,564     $ 26.050000       50,876.92          
      526     Repligen     RSU(#0000000000                    
      Corporation     962)     2/26/2017       2,088     $ 32.430000       67,922.64          
      587     Repligen     RSU(#0000000000                    
      Corporation     825)     2/26/2017       1,563     $ 32.430000       50,844.39          
      595     Repligen     RSU(#0000000000                    
      Corporation     765)     2/27/2017       1,987     $ 32.430000       64,637.11          
      621     Repligen    
Opt/
SAR(#000000

 
                 
      Corporation     0000711)     3/20/2017       10,000     $ 6.230000       325,300.00          
      622     Repligen    
Opt/
SAR(#000000

 
                 
      Corporation     0000754)     3/20/2017       4,968     $ 15.910000       161,609.04          

Stock Total

              0       59,952              

YFP000188 Total

              54,897       59,952              

 

5


Exhibit B

CERTIFICATE UPDATING RELEASE OF CLAIMS

I, Howard Benjamin, hereby acknowledge and certify that I entered into a Transitional Services and Separation Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Repligen Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), dated November 20, 2017 (the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Agreement. Pursuant to the Agreement, I am required to execute this certificate, which updates the release of claims set forth in Section 5 of the Agreement (this “Certificate”) in order to be eligible to receive and retain the 2017 Bonus . I understand that I may not sign this Certificate until on or after the Separation Date and that I must return it to the Company within seven (7)  days after the Separation Date .

 

  1. A copy of this Certificate was attached to the Agreement as Exhibit B .

 

  2. In consideration for being eligible to receive and retain the 2017 Bonus, for which I become eligible only if I sign this Certificate, I hereby extend the release of claims set forth in the Agreement to any and all claims that arose after the date I signed the Agreement through the date I signed this Certificate, subject to all other exclusions and terms set forth in the Agreement.

 

  3. I have carefully read and fully understand all of the provisions of this Certificate, I knowingly and voluntarily agree to all of the terms set forth in this Certificate, and I acknowledge that in entering into this Certificate, I am not relying on any representation, promise or inducement made by the Company or its representatives with the exception of those promises contained in this Certificate and the Agreement.

 

  4. I agree that this Certificate is part of the Agreement.

 

 

 
Howard Benjamin  

 

 
Date