As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 30, 2020

REGISTRATION NO. 333 –            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

F-star Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   52-2386345

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Eddeva B920

Babraham Research Campus

Cambridge, CB22 3AT, United Kingdom

(Address, Including Zip Code, of Principal Executive Offices)

F-star Therapeutics, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan

(Full Title of the Plan)

Eliot Forster

Chief Executive Officer

F-star Therapeutics, Inc.

Eddeva B920

Babraham Research Campus

Cambridge, CB22 3AT, United Kingdom

+44-1223-497400

(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including

Area Code, of Agent For Service)

Copies to:

Melissa V. Frayer, Esq.

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, P.C.

44 Montgomery Street

36th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94104

(415) 432-6000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☒

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount to be

Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Share

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price

 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value

  637,127 shares (1)   (2)   $1,929,299.36 (2)   $210.49 (2)

 

 

(1)

The number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, or Common Stock, stated above consists of the aggregate number of shares which may be sold upon the exercise of options or the issuance of stock-based awards which have been granted and/or may hereafter be granted under the F-star Therapeutics, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, or the Plan. The maximum number of shares which may be sold pursuant to the Plan is subject to adjustment in accordance with certain anti-dilution and other provisions of the Plan. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, this registration statement covers, in addition to the number of shares stated above, an indeterminate number of shares which may be subject to grant or otherwise issuable after the operation of any such anti-dilution and other provisions.

(2)

This calculation is made solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant to the provisions of Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act as follows: (i) in the case of shares of Common Stock which may be purchased upon exercise of outstanding options, the fee is calculated on the basis of the price at which the options may be exercised; and (ii) in the case of shares of Common Stock for which options and stock-based awards have not yet been granted or issued and the purchase price of which is therefore unknown, the fee is calculated on the basis of the average of the high and low sale prices per share of the Common Stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market as of November 24, 2020, a date within five business days prior to filing this Registration Statement. The chart below details the calculations of the registration fee:

 

Securities

   Number of
Shares
     Offering Price Per
Share
     Aggregate
Offering Price
 

Shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options granted under the Plan

     599,509,      $ 2.90(2)(i)       $ 1,738,576.10  

Shares reserved for future grant or issuance under the Plan

     37,618      $ 5.07(2)(ii)      $ 190,723.26  

Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price

         $ 1,929,299.36  

Registration Fee

         $ 210.49  

 

 

 


PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

In accordance with the instructional Note to Part I of Form S-8 as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the information specified by Part I of Form S-8 has been omitted from this registration statement on Form S-8. The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants in the Plan covered by this registration statement as required by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference into this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

 


PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Commission, allows the Registrant to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this registration statement, and later information filed with the Commission will update and supersede this information. We hereby incorporate by reference into this registration statement the following documents previously filed with the Commission:

 

  (a)

the Registrant’s Prospectus dated October 19, 2020 filed with the Commission on October 20, 2020 pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act in connection with the Registrant’s Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-248487);

 

  (b)

the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as filed on February 14, 2020;

 

  (c)

the Registrant’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September  30, 2020, filed with the Commission on May  7, 2020, August  10, 2020 and November 3, 2020, respectively;

 

  (d)

the Registrant’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January  29, 2020 , April 13, 2020, June  25, 2020, July 30, 2020, July  31, 2020, November  9, 2020 and November 20, 2020, in each case other than with respect to the information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 thereunder;

 

  (e)

the portions of the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 29, 2020 that are deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act;

 

  (f)

The description of the Common Stock contained in the Registrant’s registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-37718) filed with the Commission on March 14, 2016, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

In addition, all documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the filing of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents, except as to specific sections of such statements as set forth therein. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.


Under no circumstances shall any information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K be deemed incorporated herein by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

None.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. The Registrant’s restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director shall be personally liable to it or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or a person serving at the request of the corporation for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in related capacities against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding to which he was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

The Registrant’s restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Registrant will indemnify each person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Registrant) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the Registrant’s request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such persons being referred to as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the Registrant’s best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The Registrant’s restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Registrant will indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party to an action or suit by or in the right of the Registrant to procure a judgment in the Registrant’s favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the Registrant’s request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action


alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, and any appeal therefrom, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the Registrant’s best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to us, unless a court determines that, despite such adjudication but in view of all of the circumstances, he or she is entitled to indemnification of such expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, he or she will be indemnified by the Registrant against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Expenses must be advanced to an Indemnitee under certain circumstances.

The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors. These indemnification agreements may require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify its directors for some expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director in any action or proceeding arising out of his or her service as one of the Registrant’s directors, or any of its subsidiaries or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at the Registrant’s request.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed as a part of or incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:

 

Exhibit
Number
  

Exhibit Description

  

Filed

Herewith

  

Form

  

Incorporated By
Reference File No.

  

Date Filed

  4.1    Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant.    X         
  4.2    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant       8-K    001-37718    5/13/2016
  4.3    Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of November 20, 2020 (Reverse Stock Split).       8-K    001-37718    11/20/2020
  4.4    Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of November 20, 2020 (Name Change).       8-K    001-37718    11/20/2020
  4.5    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant       8-K    001-37718    4/13/2020
  5.1    Opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.    X         
23.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.    X         
23.2    Consent of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1).    X         
24.1    Power of Attorney to file future amendments (included on the signature page hereto).    X         
99.1    2019 Equity Incentive Plan.    X         

 


Item 9. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

  (i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement.

 

  (iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the Registration Statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

 

  (2)

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

 

  (3)

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

 

  (b)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (c)

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


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Boston, Massachusetts on November 30, 2020.

 

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Eliot Forster, Ph.D.

  Name: Eliot Forster, Ph.D.
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Eliot Forster, Ph.D. and Darlene Deptula-Hicks as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of F-star Therapeutics, Inc., and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to the attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in or about the premises, as full to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that the attorney-in-fact and agent or any substitute may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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

 

Signature

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Eliot Forster, Ph.D.

Eliot Forster, Ph.D.

  

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

(principal executive officer)

   November 30, 2020

/s/ Darlene Deptula-Hicks

Darlene Deptula-Hicks

  

Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer and

principal accounting officer)

   November 30, 2020

/s/ David Arkowitz

David Arkowitz

   Director    November 30, 2020

/s/ Edward Benz, Jr., M.D.

Edward Benz, Jr., M.D.

   Director    November 30, 2020

/s/ Nessan Bermingham, Ph.D.

Nessan Bermingham, Ph.D.

   Director    November 30, 2020

/s/ Todd Brady, M.D., Ph.D.

Todd Brady, M.D., Ph.D.

   Director    November 30, 2020


/s/ Pamela Klein, M.D.

Pamela Klein, M.D.

   Director    November 30, 2020

/s/ Patrick Krol

Patrick Krol

   Director    November 30, 2020

/s/ Geoffrey Race

Geoffrey Race

   Director    November 30, 2020

Exhibit 4.1

 

LOGO

ZQ|CERT#|COY|CLS|RGSTRY|ACCT#|TRANSTYPE|RUN#|TRANS# COMMON STOCK PAR VALUE $0.0001 COMMON STOCK Certificate Number ZQ00000000 F•star THERAPEUTICS Shares * * 000000 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE THIS CERTIFIES THAT ** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Sample **** Mr. Sample MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE & MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS CUSIP 30315R 10 7 is the owner of **000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****
000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****
000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares***000000**Shares****
000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****
000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****
000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****
000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****
000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****
000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**
Shares****000000*Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**
Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**
Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**
Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**
Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**

Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**S ***ZERO HUNDRED THOUSAND ZERO HUNDRED AND ZERO*** THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE IN CITIES DESIGNATED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT, AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.computershare.com FULLY-PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF F-Star Therapeutics, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Company”), transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby, are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, of the Company (copies of which are on file with the Company and with the Transfer Agent), to all of which each holder, by acceptance hereof, assents. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar. Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. President and Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. SEAL 2002 DELAWARE DATED DD-MMM-YYYY COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. TRANSFERAGENT AND REGISTRAR, By AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS ON REVERSE F•STAR THERAPEUTICS PO BOX 43004, Providence, RI 02940-3004 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 CUSIP/IDENTIFIER XXXXXX XX X Holder ID XXXXXXXXXX Insurance Value 1,000,000.00 Number of Shares 123456 DTC 12345678 123456789012345 Certificate Numbers Num/No. Denom. Total 1234567890/1234567890 1 1 1 1234567890/1234567890 2 2 2 1234567890/1234567890 3 3 3 1234567890/1234567890 4 4 4 1234567890/1234567890 5 5 5 1234567890/1234567890 6 6 6 Total Transaction 7 1234567


LOGO

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS, A SUMMARY OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OF THE COMPANY AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS, AND THE VARIATIONS IN RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS DETERMINED FOR EACH SERIES, WHICH ARE FIXED BY THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY, AS AMENDED, AND THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DETERMINE VARIATIONS FOR FUTURE SERIES. SUCH REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY OR TO THE TRANSFER AGENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A LOST OR DESTROYED STOCK CERTIFICATE, OR HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, TO GIVE THE COMPANY A BOND TO INDEMNIFY IT AND ITS TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS AGAINST ANY CLAIM THAT MAY BE MADE AGAINST THEM ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALLEGED LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIFGIFT MIN ACT - Custodian (Cust) (Minor) TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (State) JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common UNIFTRF MIN ACT - Custodian (until age ) (Cust) under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (Minor) (State) Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE For value received, hereby sell, assign and transfer unto (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) Shares of the common stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Company with full power of substitution in the premises. Dated: 20 Signature: Signature: Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate, in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any change whatever. Signature(s) Guaranteed: Medallion Guarantee Stamp THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (Banks, Stockbrokers, Savings and Loan Associations and Credit Unions) WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15. SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS THIS IS WATERMARKED PAPER. DO NOT ACCEPT WITHOUT NOTING WATERMARK. HOLD TO LIGHT TO VERIFY WATERMARK. The IRS requires that we report the cost basis of certain shares acquired after January 1, 2011. If your shares were covered by the legislation and you have sold or transferred the shares and requested a specific cost basis calculation method, we have processed as requested. If you did not specify a cost basis calculation method, we have defaulted to the first in, first out (FIFO) method. Please visit our website or consult your tax advisor if you need additional information about cost basis. If you do not keep in contact with us or do not have any activity in your account for the time periods specified by state law, your property could become subject to state unclaimed property laws and transferred to the appropriate state. 1234567

Exhibit 5.1

 

     LOGO   

One Financial Center

Boston, MA 02111

617 542 6000

mintz.com

November 30, 2020

F-star Therapeutics, Inc.

Eddeva B920

Babraham Research Campus

Cambridge, CB22 3AT, United Kingdom

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as legal counsel to F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”), pursuant to which the Company is registering the issuance under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of an aggregate of 637,127 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), in accordance with the terms of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). This opinion is being rendered in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Registration Statement.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated Bylaws, each as currently in effect; such other records of the corporate proceedings of the Company and certificates of the Company’s officers as we have deemed relevant; and the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, the authenticity of the originals of such copies, and the truth and correctness of any representations and warranties contained therein. In addition, we have assumed that the Company will receive any required consideration in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

Our opinion expressed herein is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction. No opinion is expressed herein with respect to the qualification of the Shares under the securities or blue sky laws of any state or any foreign jurisdiction.

 

 

BOSTON                LONDON                 LOS ANGELES                NEW YORK                SAN DIEGO                SAN FRANCISCO                WASHINGTON

MINTZ, LEVIN, COHN, FERRIS, GLOVSKY AND POPEO, P.C.


MINTZ

 

November 30, 2020

Page 2

      LOGO

 

Please note that we are opining only as to the matters expressly set forth herein, and no opinion should be inferred as to any other matters. This opinion is based upon currently existing statutes, rules, regulations and judicial decisions, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

We understand that you wish to file this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, and we hereby consent thereto. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

Exhibit 23.1

 

LOGO

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of F-star Therapeutics, Inc. of our report dated August 28, 2020 relating to the financial statements of F-star Therapeutics Limited which appears in Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (No. 333-248487).

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Cambridge, United Kingdom

November 30, 2020

 

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, The Maurice Wilkes Building, St. Johns Innovation Park, Cowley Road, CAMBRIDGE, CB4 0DS
  T: +44 (0) 1223 460 055, F: +44 (0) 1223 552 336, www.pwc.co.uk
  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England with registered number OC303525. The registered office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 1 Embankment Place, London WC2N 6RH. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for designated investment business.


LOGO

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of F-star Therapeutics, Inc. of our report dated August 28, 2020 relating to the financial statements of F-star Biotechnologische Forschungs-und Entwicklungsges.m.b.H which appears in Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (No. 333-248487).

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Cambridge, United Kingdom

November 30, 2020

 

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, The Maurice Wilkes Building, St. Johns Innovation Park, Cowley Road, CAMBRIDGE, CB4 0DS
  T: +44 (0) 1223 460 055, F: +44 (0) 1223 552 336, www.pwc.co.uk
  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England with registered number OC303525. The registered office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 1 Embankment Place, London WC2N 6RH. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for designated investment business.


LOGO

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of F-star Therapeutics, Inc. of our report dated August 28, 2020 relating to the financial statements of F-star Beta Limited which appears in Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (No. 333-248487).

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Cambridge, United Kingdom

November 30, 2020

 

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, The Maurice Wilkes Building, St. Johns Innovation Park, Cowley Road, CAMBRIDGE, CB4 0DS
  T: +44 (0) 1223 460 055, F: +44 (0) 1223 552 336, www.pwc.co.uk
  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England with registered number OC303525. The registered office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 1 Embankment Place, London WC2N 6RH. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for designated investment business.

Exhibit 99.1

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

 

2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

1. PURPOSE

     1  

2. ELIGIBILITY

     1  

3. ADMINISTRATION AND DELEGATION

     1  

3.1 Administration

     1  

3.2 Appointment of Committees

     1  

4. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS

     1  

4.1 Number of Shares

     1  

4.2 Share Recycling

     2  

4.3 Incentive Option Limitations

     2  

4.4 Substitute Awards

     2  

4.5 Deed Poll

     3  

5. OPTIONS AND SHARE APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     3  

5.1 General

     3  

5.2 Exercise Price

     3  

5.3 Duration

     3  

5.4 Exercise

     4  

5.5 Payment Upon Exercise

     4  

6. RESTRICTED SHARES; RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS; PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

     5  

6.1 General

     5  

6.2 Duration

     5  

6.3 Restricted Shares

     6  

6.4 Restricted Share Units

     7  

6.5 Performance Share Units

     7  

7. OTHER SHARE BASED AWARDS

     7  

8. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN SHARES AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS

     7  

8.1 Equity Restructuring

     7  

8.2 Corporate Events

     8  

8.3 Administrative Stand Still

     10  

8.4 General

     10  

 

i


9. GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

     10  

9.1 Transferability

     10  

9.2 Documentation

     10  

9.3 Vesting and terms of Awards

     10  

9.4 Termination of Status

     11  

9.5 Withholding

     11  

9.6 Amendment of Award; Repricing

     12  

9.7 Conditions on Delivery of Shares

     12  

9.8 Acceleration

     12  

9.9 Additional Terms of Incentive Options

     13  

10. MISCELLANEOUS

     13  

10.1 No Right to Employment or Other Status

     13  

10.2 No Rights as Shareholder; Certificates

     13  

10.3 Effective Date and Term of Plan

     14  

10.4 Amendment of Plan

     14  

10.5 Provisions for Foreign Participants

     14  

10.6 Section 409A

     14  

10.7 Limitations on Liability

     15  

10.8 Lock-Up Period

     16  

10.9 Data Privacy

     16  

10.10 Severability

     17  

10.11 Governing Documents

     17  

10.12 Governing Law

     17  

10.13 Claw-back Provisions

     17  

10.14 Other Group Company policies

     17  

10.15 Titles and Headings

     18  

10.16 Conformity to Applicable Laws

     18  

10.17 Relationship to Other Benefits

     18  

10.18 Broker-Assisted Sales

     18  

11. DEFINITIONS

     19  

APPENDIX 1 OPTION GRANT NOTICE

     24  

APPENDIX 2 RESTRICTED SHARE GRANT NOTICE

     31  

APPENDIX 3 PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE

     41  

 

 

ii


F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.

PURPOSE

The Plan’s purpose is to enhance the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions to the Company by providing these individuals with equity ownership opportunities. Capitalized terms used in the Plan are defined in Section 11.

 

2.

ELIGIBILITY

Service Providers are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan, subject to the limitations described herein.

 

3.

ADMINISTRATION AND DELEGATION

 

3.1

Administration.

The Plan is administered by the Administrator. The Administrator has authority to determine which Service Providers receive Awards, grant Awards, set Award terms and conditions, and designate whether such Awards will cover Company Common Stock or ADSs, subject to the conditions and limitations in the Plan. The Administrator also has the authority to take all actions and make all determinations under the Plan, to interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and to adopt, amend and repeal Plan administrative rules, guidelines and practices as it deems advisable. The Administrator may correct defects and ambiguities, supply omissions and reconcile inconsistencies in the Plan or any Award as it deems necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and any Awards. The Administrator’s determinations under the Plan are in its sole discretion and will be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or any Award.

 

3.2

Appointment of Committees.

To the extent Applicable Laws permit, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more Committees or officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Board may abolish any Committee or re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority at any time.

 

4.

SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS

 

4.1

Number of Shares.

Subject to adjustment under Section 8 and the terms of this Section 4, Awards may be made under the Plan (taking account of Awards granted under the Non-Employee Sub-Plan, the CSOP Sub-Plan, and the EMI Sub-Plan) in an aggregate amount up to 637,127 Shares (the “Share Reserve”). In addition, if the Nasdaq Listing Date occurs, the Share Reserve will automatically increase on January 1st of the year following the year of such occurrence and


ending on (and including) January 1, 2029, in an amount equal to 4% of the total number of Shares outstanding on December 31st of the preceding calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that there will be no January 1st increase in the Share Reserve for such year or that the increase in the Share Reserve for such year will be a lesser number of Shares than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence.

 

4.2

Share Recycling.

If all or any part of an Award or Award granted under the Non-Employee Sub-Plan, CSOP Sub-Plan, or EMI Sub-Plan expires, lapses or is terminated, exchanged for cash, surrendered, repurchased or cancelled without having been fully exercised, the unused Shares covered by the Award or Award granted under the Non-Employee Sub-Plan, CSOP Sub-Plan, or EMI Sub-Plan will, as applicable, become or again be available for Awards grants under the Plan.

 

4.3

Incentive Option Limitations.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no more than 637,127 Shares may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Options.

 

4.4

Substitute Awards.

In connection with an entity’s merger or consolidation with the Company or the Company’s acquisition of an entity’s property or stock, the Administrator may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other equity or equity-based awards granted before such merger or consolidation by such entity or its affiliate. Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Administrator deems appropriate, notwithstanding limitations on Awards in the Plan. Substitute Awards will not count against the Share Reserve (nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided above), except that Shares acquired by exercise of substitute Incentive Options will count against the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Options under the Plan. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided above); provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Employees or Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

2


4.5

Deed Poll.

The Administrator may grant Awards by entering into a deed poll and, as soon as practicable after the Company has executed the deed poll, the Administrator shall enter into an Award Agreement.

 

5.

OPTIONS AND SHARE APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

5.1

General.

The Administrator may grant Options or Share Appreciation Rights to Service Providers subject to the limitations in the Plan, including any limitations in the Plan that apply to Incentive Options. The Administrator will determine the number of Shares covered by each Option and Share Appreciation Right, the exercise price of each Option and Share Appreciation Right and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option and Share Appreciation Right. A Share Appreciation Right will entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Share Appreciation Right) to receive from the Company upon exercise of the exercisable portion of the Share Appreciation Right an amount determined by multiplying the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price per Share of the Share Appreciation Right by the number of Shares with respect to which the Share Appreciation Right is exercised, subject to any limitations of the Plan or that the Administrator may impose and payable in cash, Shares valued at Fair Market Value or a combination of the two as the Administrator may determine or provide in the Award Agreement.

 

5.2

Exercise Price.

The Administrator will establish each Option’s and Share Appreciation Right’s exercise price and specify the exercise price in the Award Agreement. Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, the exercise price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the grant date of the Option or Share Appreciation Right.

 

5.3

Duration.

Each Option or Share Appreciation Right will be exercisable at such times and as specified in the Award Agreement, provided that the term of an Option or Share Appreciation Right will not exceed ten years. Notwithstanding the foregoing and unless determined otherwise by the Company, in the event that on the last business day of the term of an Option or Share Appreciation Right (other than an Incentive Option) (i) the exercise of the Option or Share Appreciation Right is prohibited by Applicable Laws, as determined by the Company, or (ii) Shares may not be purchased or sold by the applicable Participant due to any Company insider trading or dealing policy (including blackout periods) or a “lock-up” agreement undertaken in connection with an issuance of securities by the Company, the term of the Option or Share Appreciation Right shall be extended until the date that is thirty (30) days after the end of the legal prohibition, black-out period or lock-up agreement, as determined by the Company; provided, however, in no event shall the extension last beyond the ten year term of the applicable Option or Share Appreciation Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the end of the term of an Option or Share Appreciation

 

3


Right, violates the non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other similar restrictive covenant provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the right of the Participant and the Participant’s transferees to exercise any Option or Share Appreciation Right issued to the Participant shall terminate immediately upon such violation, unless the Company otherwise determines. In addition, if, prior to the end of the term of an Option or Share Appreciation Right, the Participant is given notice by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the Participant’s Termination of Service by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for Cause, and the effective date of such Termination of Service is subsequent to the date of the delivery of such notice, the right of the Participant and the Participant’s transferees to exercise any Option or Share Appreciation Right issued to the Participant shall be suspended from the time of the delivery of such notice until the earlier of (i) such time as it is determined or otherwise agreed that the Participant’s service as a Service Provider will not be terminated for Cause as provided in such notice or (ii) the effective date of the Participant’s Termination of Service by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for Cause (in which case the right of the Participant and the Participant’s transferees to exercise any Option or Share Appreciation Right issued to the Participant will terminate immediately upon the effective date of such Termination of Service).

 

5.4

Exercise.

Options and Share Appreciation Rights may be exercised by delivering to the Company a written notice of exercise, in a form the Administrator approves (which may be electronic), signed by the person authorized to exercise the Option or Share Appreciation Right, together with, as applicable, payment in full (i) as specified in Section 5.5 for the number of Shares for which the Award is exercised and (ii) as specified in Section 9.5 for any applicable taxes. Unless the Administrator otherwise determines, an Option or Share Appreciation Right may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

 

5.5

Payment Upon Exercise.

Subject to Section 10.8, any Company insider trading or dealing policy (including blackout periods) and Applicable Laws, the exercise price of an Option must be paid by:

 

  (a)

cash, wire transfer of immediately available funds or by check payable to the order of the Company, provided that the Company may limit the use of one of the foregoing payment forms if one or more of the payment forms below is permitted;

 

  (b)

if there is a public market for Shares at the time of exercise, unless the Company otherwise determines, (A) delivery (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, or (B) the Participant’s delivery to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator;

 

4


  (c)

to the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of Shares owned by the Participant which, when valued at their Fair Market Value, have a value sufficient to pay the exercise price;

 

  (d)

to the extent permitted by the Administrator, except with respect to Incentive Options, surrendering Shares then issuable upon the Option’s exercise which, when valued at their Fair Market Value, have a value sufficient to pay the exercise price

 

  (e)

to the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery of a promissory note or any other property that the Administrator determines is good and valuable consideration; or

 

  (f)

to the extent permitted by the Company, any combination of the above payment forms approved by the Administrator.

 

6.

RESTRICTED SHARES; RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS; PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

 

6.1

General.

The Administrator may grant Restricted Shares, or the right to purchase Restricted Shares, to any Service Provider, subject to the Company’s right to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price from the Participant (or to require forfeiture of such shares) if conditions the Administrator specifies in the Award Agreement are not satisfied before the end of the applicable restriction period or periods that the Administrator establishes for such Award. In addition, the Administrator may grant to Service Providers Restricted Share Units, which may be subject to vesting and forfeiture conditions during the applicable restriction period or periods, as set forth in an Award Agreement. The Administrator will determine and set forth in the Award Agreement the terms and conditions for each Restricted Share and Restricted Share Unit Award, subject to the conditions and limitations contained in the Plan.

 

6.2

Duration.

Each Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit will vest at such times and as specified in the Award Agreement, provided that the vesting schedule of a Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit will not exceed ten years. Notwithstanding the foregoing and unless determined otherwise by the Company, in the event that on the normal vesting date of a Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit (i) the vesting of the Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit is prohibited by Applicable Laws, as determined by the Company, or (ii) Shares may not be purchased or sold by the applicable Participant due to any Company insider trading or dealing policy (including blackout periods) or a “lock-up” agreement undertaken in connection with an issuance of securities by the Company, the vesting date of the Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit shall

 

5


be deferred until the end of the legal prohibition, black-out period or lock-up agreement, as determined by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the vesting date of a Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit, violates the non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other similar restrictive covenant provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the right of the Participant and the Participant’s transferees to receive Shares on the vesting of the Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit issued to the Participant shall terminate immediately upon such violation, unless the Company otherwise determines. In addition, if, prior to the vesting date of a Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit, the Participant is given notice by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the Participant’s Termination of Service by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for Cause, and the effective date of such Termination of Service is subsequent to the date of the delivery of such notice, the right of the Participant and the Participant’s transferees to receive Shares on the vesting of the Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit issued to the Participant shall be suspended from the time of the delivery of such notice until the earlier of (i) such time as it is determined or otherwise agreed that the Participant’s service as a Service Provider will not be terminated for Cause as provided in such notice or (ii) the effective date of the Participant’s Termination of Service by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for Cause (in which case the right of the Participant and the Participant’s transferees to receive Shares on the vesting of the Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit issued to the Participant will terminate immediately upon the effective date of such Termination of Service).

 

6.3

Restricted Shares.

 

  (a)

Dividends.

Participants holding Restricted Shares will be entitled to all ordinary cash dividends paid with respect to such Shares, unless the Administrator provides otherwise in the Award Agreement. In addition, unless the Administrator provides otherwise, if any dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, or consist of a dividend or distribution to holders of Restricted Shares of property other than an ordinary cash dividend, the Shares or other property will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Shares with respect to which they were paid.

 

  (b)

Certificates.

The Company may require that the Participant deposit in escrow with the Company (or its designee) any certificates issued in respect of Restricted Shares, together with a stock transfer form endorsed in blank.

 

6


6.4

Restricted Share Units.

 

  (a)

Settlement.

The Administrator may provide that settlement of Restricted Share Units will occur upon or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Restricted Share Units vest or will instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the Participant’s election.

 

  (b)

Shareholder Rights.

A Participant will have no rights of a shareholder with respect to Shares subject to any Restricted Share Unit unless and until the Shares are delivered in settlement of the Restricted Share Unit.

 

6.5

Performance Share Units.

 

  (a)

Settlement.

The Administrator may provide that settlement of Performance Share Units will occur upon or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Performance Share Units vest or will instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the Participant’s election.

 

  (b)

Shareholder Rights.

A Participant will have no rights of a shareholder with respect to Shares subject to any Performance Share Unit unless and until the Shares are delivered in settlement of the Performance Share Unit.

 

7.

OTHER SHARE BASED AWARDS

Other Share Based Awards may be granted to Participants, including Awards entitling Participants to receive Shares to be delivered in the future (whether based on specified Performance Criteria or otherwise), in each case subject to any conditions and limitations in the Plan. Such Other Share Based Awards will also be available as a payment form in the settlement of other Awards, as standalone payments and as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Share Based Awards may be paid in Shares or other property, as the Administrator determines. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of each Other Share Based Award, including any purchase price, performance goal (which may be based on the Performance Criteria), transfer restrictions, and vesting conditions, which will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

8.

ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN SHARES AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS

 

8.1

Equity Restructuring.

In connection with any Equity Restructuring, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8, the Administrator will equitably adjust the Share Reserve and each outstanding Award as it deems appropriate to reflect the Equity Restructuring, which may include adjusting the number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and/or the Award’s exercise price or grant price (if applicable), granting new Awards to Participants, and making a cash payment to Participants. The adjustments provided under this Section 8.1 will be nondiscretionary and final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company; provided that the Administrator will determine whether an adjustment is equitable.

 

7


8.2

Corporate Events.

 

  (a)

If, in the event of a Change in Control:

 

  (i)

an Award is (i) assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or is substituted for awards covering the equity securities of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or Subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and/or applicable exercise or purchase price, in all cases, as determined by the Administrator or a rollover of Options granted under the EMI Sub-Plan or the CSOP Sub-Plan is offered and accepted in accordance with applicable law; and (ii) on or within 12 months following the effective date of such Change in Control, the Company (or its successor or the applicable Subsidiary thereof) Terminates the Service of the Participant without Cause, then, effective as of the date of such Termination of Service any then unvested Shares subject to the Award shall become immediately vested and (to the extent relevant) exercisable; or

 

  (ii)

the successor or acquirer entity does not agree to assume or continue or rollover Awards as contemplated by Section 8.2(a)(i), all Awards will vest in full effective immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control, SAVE THAT, in respect of Options granted under the EMI Sub-Plan or the CSOP Sub-Plan, if a rollover of those Options is offered in accordance with applicable law and the Participant chooses not to accept, any unvested Options held by such Participant shall immediately lapse in full.

 

  (b)

In the event of any Corporate Event other than a Change in Control, the Administrator, on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event (except that action to give effect to a change in Applicable Laws or accounting principles may be made within a reasonable period of time after such change) and either automatically or upon the Participant’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to (x) prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended by the Company to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award granted or issued under the Plan, (y) to facilitate such transaction or event or (z) give effect to such changes in, or prevent a breach of, Applicable Laws or accounting principles:

 

8


  (i)

To provide for the cancellation of any such Award in exchange for either an amount of cash or other property with a value equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise or settlement of the vested portion of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights under the vested portion of such Award, as applicable; provided that, if the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise or settlement of the vested portion of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, in any case, is equal to or less than zero (as determined by the Administrator in its discretion), then the Award may be terminated without payment. In addition, such payments under this provision may, in the Administrator’s discretion, be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of Company Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Event is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies;

 

  (ii)

To provide that such Award shall vest and, to the extent applicable, be exercisable as to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the provisions of such Award;

 

  (iii)

To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or Subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by awards covering the equity securities of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or Subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and/or applicable exercise or purchase price, in all cases, as determined by the Administrator;

 

  (iv)

To make adjustments in the number and type of shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards and/or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 4 hereof on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued) and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards;

 

  (v)

To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator; and/or

 

  (vi)

To provide that the Award will terminate and cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after the applicable transaction or event.

The Administrator need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Administrator may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of an Award.

 

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8.3

Administrative Stand Still.

In the event of any pending Corporate Event or other similar transaction, for administrative convenience, the Administrator may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award for up to sixty days before or after such Corporate Event or similar transaction.

 

8.4

General.

Except as expressly provided in the Plan or the Administrator’s action under the Plan, no Participant will have any rights due to any subdivision or consolidation of Shares of any class, dividend payment, increase or decrease in the number of Shares of any class, issue, rights issue, offer or dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or other corporation. Except as expressly provided with respect to an Equity Restructuring under Section 8.1 above or the Administrator’s action under the Plan, no issuance by the Company of Shares of any class, or securities convertible into Shares of any class, will affect, and no adjustment will be made regarding, the number of Shares subject to an Award or the Award’s grant or exercise price. The existence of the Plan, any Award Agreements and the Awards granted hereunder will not affect or restrict in any way the Company’s right or power to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any Corporate Event or (iii) sale or issuance of securities, including securities with rights superior to those of the Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares. The Administrator may treat Participants and Awards (or portions thereof) differently under this Section 8.

 

9.

GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

 

9.1

Transferability.

Except as the Administrator may determine or provide in an Award Agreement or otherwise for Awards other than Incentive Options, Awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or, subject to the Administrator’s consent, pursuant to a domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, will be exercisable only by the Participant. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, will include references to a Participant’s authorized transferee that the Administrator specifically approves.

 

9.2

Documentation.

Each Award will be evidenced in an Award Agreement, which may be written or electronic, as the Administrator determines. Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.

 

9.3

Vesting and terms of Awards.

 

  (a)

Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, each Award shall be granted subject to the following vesting schedule:

 

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“So long as Participant remains continuously a Service Provider 28% of the total number of Shares under Award shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, and 2% of the total number of Shares under Award shall vest monthly thereafter.”

 

  (b)

Except as the Plan otherwise provides (including but not limited to pursuant to Section 9.3(a) above), each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of each Award to a Participant need not be identical, and the Administrator need not treat Participants or Awards (or portions thereof) uniformly.

 

9.4

Termination of Status.

The Administrator will determine how the disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or any other change or purported change in a Participant’s Service Provider status affects an Award and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary may exercise rights under the Award, if applicable.

 

9.5

Withholding.

Each Participant must pay the Company, or make provision satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of, any taxes (which includes any social security contributions or the like) required by law to be withheld or paid by the Company or by a Subsidiary that is the employing entity of the Participant in connection with such Participant’s Awards by the date of the event creating the tax liability. The Company may deduct an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations based on the minimum statutory withholding rates (or such other rate as may be determined by the Company after considering any accounting consequences or costs) from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant. Subject to Section 10.8 and any Company insider trading or dealing policy (including blackout periods), Participants may satisfy such tax obligations (i) in cash, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, by check made payable to the order of the Company, provided that the Company may limit the use of the foregoing payment forms if one or more of the payment forms below is permitted, (ii) to the extent permitted by the Administrator, in whole or in part by delivery of Shares, including Shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value, (iii) if there is a public market for Shares at the time the tax obligations are satisfied, unless the Company otherwise determines, (A) delivery (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to satisfy the tax obligations, or (B) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to satisfy the tax withholding, provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator, or (iv) to the extent permitted by the Company, any combination of the foregoing payment forms approved by the Administrator. If any tax withholding obligation will be satisfied under clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence by the Company’s retention of

 

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Shares from the Award creating the tax obligation and there is a public market for Shares at the time the tax obligation is satisfied, the Company may elect to instruct any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose to sell on the applicable Participant’s behalf some or all of the Shares retained and to remit the proceeds of the sale to the Company or its designee, and each Participant’s acceptance of an Award under the Plan will constitute the Participant’s authorization to the Company and instruction and authorization to such brokerage firm to complete the transactions described in this sentence.

 

9.6

Amendment of Award; Repricing.

The Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including by substituting another Award of the same or a different type, changing the exercise or settlement date, and converting an Incentive Option to a Non-Qualified Option. The Participant’s consent to such action will be required unless (i) the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Award, or (ii) the change is permitted under Section 8 or pursuant to Section 10.6. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator may not, except pursuant to Section 8, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, reduce the exercise price per share of outstanding Options or Share Appreciation Rights or cancel outstanding Options or Share Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash, other Awards or Options or Share Appreciation Rights with an exercise price per share that is less than the exercise price per share of the original Options or Share Appreciation Rights.

 

9.7

Conditions on Delivery of Shares.

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Shares under the Plan or remove restrictions from Shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all Award conditions have been met or removed to the Company’s satisfaction, (ii) as determined by the Company, all other legal matters regarding the issuance and delivery of such Shares (including payment of nominal value) have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate or to satisfy any Applicable Laws. The Company’s inability to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which the Administrator determines is necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any securities, will relieve the Company of any liability for failing to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained.

 

9.8

Acceleration.

The Administrator may at any time provide that any Award will become immediately vested and fully or partially exercisable, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise fully or partially realizable.

 

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9.9

Additional Terms of Incentive Options.

The Administrator may grant Incentive Options only to employees of the Company, any of its present or future parent or subsidiary corporations, as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, respectively, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Options under the Code. If an Incentive Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Shareholder, the exercise price will not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the Option’s grant date, and the term of the Option will not exceed five years. All Incentive Options will be subject to and construed consistently with Section 422 of the Code. By accepting an Incentive Option, the Participant agrees to give prompt notice to the Company of dispositions or other transfers (other than in connection with a Change in Control) of Shares acquired under the Option made within (i) two years from the grant date of the Option or (ii) one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant, specifying the date of the disposition or other transfer and the amount the Participant realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, in such disposition or other transfer. Neither the Company nor the Administrator will be liable to a Participant, or any other party, if an Incentive Option fails or ceases to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. Any Incentive Option or portion thereof that fails to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code for any reason, including becoming exercisable with respect to Shares having a fair market value exceeding the $100,000 limitation under Treasury Regulation Section 1.422-4, will be a Non-Qualified Option.

 

10.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.1

No Right to Employment or Other Status.

No person will have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award will not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan or any Award, except as expressly provided in an Award Agreement.

 

10.2

No Rights as Shareholder; Certificates.

Subject to the Award Agreement, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary will have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under an Award until becoming the record holder of such Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless the Administrator otherwise determines or Applicable Laws require, the Company will not be required to deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares may be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator). The Company may place legends on certificates issued under the Plan that the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

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10.3

Effective Date and Term of Plan.

The Plan will become effective on such day as may be determined by the Board and, unless earlier terminated by the Board, will remain in effect until the tenth anniversary of the effective date, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date in accordance with the Plan. If the Plan is not approved by the Company’s shareholders, the Plan will not become effective, no Awards will be granted under the Plan and the Prior Plans will continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. No Incentive Option may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s shareholders.

 

10.4

Amendment of Plan.

The Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided that no amendment, other than an increase to the Share Reserve, may materially and adversely affect any Award outstanding at the time of such amendment without the affected Participant’s consent. No Awards may be granted under the Plan during any suspension period or after Plan termination. Awards outstanding at the time of any Plan suspension or termination will continue to be governed by the Plan and the Award Agreement, as in effect before such suspension or termination. The Board will obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

10.5

Provisions for Foreign Participants.

The Administrator may modify Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or establish sub-plans or procedures under the Plan to address differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or other matters.

 

10.6

Section 409A.

The following provisions only apply to Participants subject to tax in the United States.

 

  (a)

General.

The Company intends that all Awards be structured to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A, such that no adverse tax consequences, interest, or penalties under Section 409A apply. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Administrator may, without a Participant’s consent, amend this Plan or Awards, adopt policies and procedures, or take any other actions (including amendments, policies, procedures and retroactive actions) as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of Awards, including any such actions intended to (A) exempt this Plan or any Award from Section 409A, or (B) comply with Section 409A, including regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority that may be issued after an Award’s grant date. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to an Award’s tax treatment under Section 409A or otherwise. The Company will have no obligation under this Section 10.6 or otherwise to avoid the taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and will have no liability to any Participant or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute noncompliant “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A.

 

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  (b)

Separation from Service.

If an Award constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, any payment or settlement of such Award upon a termination of a Participant’s Service Provider relationship will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A, be made only upon the Participant’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A), whether such “separation from service” occurs upon or after the termination of the Participant’s Service Provider relationship. For purposes of this Plan or any Award Agreement relating to any such payments or benefits, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms means a “separation from service.”

 

  (c)

Payments to Specified Employees.

Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or any Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” required to be made under an Award to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A and as the Administrator determines) due to his or her “separation from service” will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, be delayed for the six-month period immediately following such “separation from service” (or, if earlier, until the specified employee’s death) and will instead be paid (as set forth in the Award Agreement) on the day immediately following such six-month period or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter (without interest). Any payments of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under such Award payable more than six months following the Participant’s “separation from service” will be paid at the time or times the payments are otherwise scheduled to be made.

 

10.7

Limitations on Liability.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, other employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan or any Award, and such individual will not be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument executed in his or her capacity as an Administrator, director, officer, other employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, other employee and agent of the Company or any Subsidiary that has been or will be granted or delegated any duty or power relating to the Plan’s administration or interpretation, against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Administrator’s approval) arising from any act or omission concerning this Plan unless arising from such person’s own fraud or bad faith.

 

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10.8

Lock-Up Period.

The Company may, at the request of any underwriter representative or otherwise, in connection with registering the offering of any Company securities under the Securities Act, prohibit Participants from, directly or indirectly, selling or otherwise transferring any Shares or other Company securities during a period of up to one hundred eighty days following the effective date of a Company registration statement filed under the Securities Act, or such longer period as determined by the underwriter.

 

10.9

Data Privacy.

 

  (a)

As a condition for receiving any Award, each Participant acknowledges that the Company and any Subsidiary may collect, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, personal data as described in this section by and among the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates exclusively for implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including the Participant’s name, address and telephone number; birthdate; social security, insurance number or other identification number; salary; nationality; job title(s); any Shares held in the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates; and Award details, to implement, manage and administer the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary to implement, administer and manage a Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data to third parties assisting the Company with Plan implementation, administration and management. These recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. By accepting an Award, each Participant acknowledges that such recipients may receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any required Data transfer to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data that the Company holds regarding such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data regarding such Participant and recommend any necessary corrections to the Data regarding the Participant in writing, without cost, by contacting the local human resources representative.

 

  (b)

For the purpose of operating the Plan in the European Union (including the United Kingdom after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union), the Company will collect and process information relating to Participants in accordance with the privacy notice which is provided to each Participant.

 

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10.10

Severability.

If any portion of the Plan or any action taken under it is held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity will not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provisions had been excluded, and the illegal or invalid action will be null and void.

 

10.11

Governing Documents.

If any contradiction occurs between the Plan and any Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company (or any Subsidiary) that the Administrator has approved, the Plan will govern, unless it is expressly specified in such Award Agreement or other written document that a specific provision of the Plan will not apply.

All Awards will be subject to Applicable Laws on insider trading and dealings and any specific insider trading or dealing policy adopted by the Company.

 

10.12

Governing Law.

The Plan and all Awards will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the English law, disregarding any jurisdiction’s choice-of-law principles requiring the application of a jurisdiction’s laws other than English law.

 

10.13

Claw-back Provisions.

All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit the Participant actually or constructively receives upon receipt or exercise of any Award or the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) will be subject to any Company claw-back policy that may be adopted from time to time to the extent such policy applies to the relevant Participant, including any claw-back policy adopted to comply with Applicable Laws (including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder) as set forth in such claw-back policy or the Award Agreement.

 

10.14

Other Group Company policies

All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit the Participant actually or constructively receives upon receipt or exercise of any Award or the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) will be subject to any relevant Company or Group Company policy to the extent such policy applies to the relevant Participant, including but not limited to any remuneration policy and/or share retention, ownership, or holding policy that may be adopted from time to time.

 

17


10.15

Titles and Headings.

The titles and headings in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, if any conflict, the Plan’s text, rather than such titles or headings, will control.

 

10.16

Conformity to Applicable Laws.

Participant acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with Applicable Laws. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan and all Awards will be administered only in conformance with Applicable Laws. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, the Plan and all Award Agreements will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws and may be unilaterally cancelled by the Company (with the effect that all Participant’s rights thereunder lapse with immediate effect) if the Administrator determines in its reasonable discretion that such conformity is not possible or practicable.

 

10.17

Relationship to Other Benefits.

No payment under the Plan will be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary except as expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

 

10.18

Broker-Assisted Sales.

In the event of a broker-assisted sale of Shares in connection with the payment of amounts owed by a Participant under or with respect to the Plan or Awards, including amounts to be paid under the final sentence of Section 9.5: (a) any Shares to be sold through the broker-assisted sale will be sold (subject in all cases to the Administrator having regard to the orderly marketing and disposal of such Shares, and having the discretion to delay broker-assisted sales for such reasons) on the day the payment first becomes due, or as soon thereafter as practicable; (b) such Shares may be sold as part of a block trade with other Participants in the Plan in which all Participants receive an average price; (c) the applicable Participant will be responsible for all broker’s fees and other costs of sale, and by accepting an Award, each Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale; (d) to the extent the Company or its designee receives proceeds of such sale that exceed the amount owed, the Company will pay such excess in cash to the applicable Participant as soon as reasonably practicable; (e) the Company and its designees are under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price; and (f) in the event the proceeds of such sale are insufficient to satisfy the Participant’s applicable obligation, the Participant may be required to pay immediately upon demand to the Company or its designee, or the Company or any Subsidiary may withhold from any payment to be made to the Participant (including but not limited to that Participant’s salary), an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any remaining portion of the Participant’s obligation.

 

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11.

DEFINITIONS

As used in the Plan, the following words and phrases will have the following meanings:

ADSs” means American Depositary Shares, representing Company Common Stock on deposit with a U.S. banking institution selected by the Company and which are registered pursuant to a Form F-6.

Administrator” means the Board or a Committee to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee.

Applicable Laws” means any applicable laws, including without limitation: (a) the requirements relating to the administration of equity incentive plans under U.S. federal and state securities, tax and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, the applicable rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted and the applicable laws and rules of any foreign country or other jurisdiction where Awards are granted; and (b) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether U.S. federal, state, local or foreign, applicable in the United Kingdom, United States or any other relevant jurisdiction.

Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Share Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units or Other Share Based Awards.

Award Agreement” means a written agreement evidencing an Award, which may be electronic, that contains such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines, consistent with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Cause” means (i) if a Participant is a party to a written employment or consulting agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or an Award Agreement in which the term “cause” is defined (a “Relevant Agreement”), “Cause” as defined in the Relevant Agreement, and (ii) if no Relevant Agreement exists, (A) the Administrator’s determination that the Participant failed to substantially perform the Participant’s duties (other than a failure resulting from the Participant’s Disability); (B) the Administrator’s determination that the Participant failed to carry out, or comply with any lawful and reasonable directive of the Board or the Participant’s immediate supervisor; (C) the occurrence of any act or omission by the Participant that could reasonably be expected to result in (or has resulted in) the Participant’s conviction, plea of no contest, plea of nolo contendere, or imposition of unadjudicated probation for any felony or indictable offense or crime involving moral turpitude; (D) the Participant’s unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of illegal drugs on the premises of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or while performing the Participant’s duties and responsibilities for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (E) the Participant’s commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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Change in Control” means and includes each of the following:

 

  (a)

a Sale; or

 

  (b)

a Takeover.

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

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder.

Committee” means one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board, which may include one or more Company directors or executive officers, to the extent Applicable Laws permit. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3, it is intended that each member of the Committee will be, at the time the Committee takes any action with respect to an Award that is subject to Rule 16b-3, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3; however, a Committee member’s failure to qualify as a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 will not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.

Company” means F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor.

Company Common Stock” means the Common Stock of Company, par value $0.0001.

Control” shall have the meaning given in section 995 (2) of the UK Income Tax Act 2007, unless otherwise specified.

Corporate Event” means an Equity Restructuring, dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), capitalization, share issue, offer, subdivision, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, amalgamation, repurchase, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or sale or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, other similar corporate transaction or event, other unusual or nonrecurring transaction or event affecting the Company or its financial statements or any change in any Applicable Laws or accounting principles.

CSOP Sub-Plan” means the CSOP Sub-Plan to be adopted by the Board.

 

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Designated Beneficiary” means the beneficiary or beneficiaries the Participant designates, in a manner the Administrator determines, to receive amounts due or exercise the Participant’s rights if the Participant dies or becomes incapacitated. Without a Participant’s effective designation, “Designated Beneficiary” will mean the Participant’s estate.

Director” means a Board member.

Disability” means a permanent and total disability under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as amended.

EMI Sub-Plan” means the EMI Sub-Plan to be adopted by the Board.

Employee” means any employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

Equity Restructuring” means a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its shareholders, such as a share dividend, share split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other Company securities) or the price of Shares (or other Company securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Shares underlying outstanding Awards.

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

Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Shares determined as follows: (i) if the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for Shares as quoted on such exchange for the last day preceding such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or another source the Administrator deems reliable; (ii) if the Shares are not traded on a stock exchange but is quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the closing sales price on the last date preceding such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or another source the Administrator deems reliable; or (iii) without an established market for the Shares, the Administrator will determine the Fair Market Value in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award granted on the pricing date of the Company’s initial public offering, the Fair Market Value shall mean the initial public offering price of a Share as set forth in the Company’s final prospectus relating to its initial public offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Greater Than 10% Shareholder” means an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of equity securities of the Company or its parent or subsidiary corporation, as defined in Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively.

Incentive Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

Nasdaq Listing Date” means the first date upon which the Shares are listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on Nasdaq.

 

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Non-Employee Sub-Plan” means the Non-Employee Sub-Plan to the Plan adopted by the Board.

Non-Qualified Option” means an Option not intended or not qualifying as an Incentive Option.

Option” means an option to purchase Shares.

Other Share Based Awards” means awards of Shares, and other awards valued wholly or partially by referring to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property.

Participant” means a Service Provider who has been granted an Award.

Performance Criteria” mean the criteria (and adjustments) that the Administrator may select for an Award to establish performance goals for a performance period.

Plan” means this 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

Restricted Shares” means Shares awarded to a Participant under Section 6 subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

Restricted Share Unit” means an unfunded, unsecured right to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Administrator to be of equal value as of such settlement date, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Sale” means the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and all regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority thereunder.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Service Provider” means an Employee or a Director who is an Employee.

Share” means a share of Company Common Stock or the number of ADSs equal to a share of Company Common Stock.

Share Appreciation Right” means a Share Appreciation right granted under Section 5.

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

 

22


Substitute Awards” means Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, in each case by a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines.

Takeover” means if any person (or a group of persons acting in concert) (the “Acquiring Person”):

 

  (i)

obtains Control of the Company as the result of making a general offer to:-

 

  (A)

acquire all of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company, which is made on a condition that, if it is satisfied, the Acquiring Person will have Control of the Company; or

 

  (B)

acquire all of the shares in the Company which are of the same class as the Shares; or

 

  (ii)

obtains Control of the Company as a result of a compromise or arrangement sanctioned by a court under Section 899 of the UK Companies Act 2006, or sanctioned under any other similar law of another jurisdiction; or

 

  (iii)

becomes bound or entitled under Sections 979 to 985 of the UK Companies Act 2006 (or similar law of another jurisdiction) to acquire shares of the same class as the Shares; or

 

  (iv)

obtains Control of the Company in any other way.

Termination of Service” means the date the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider and “Terminates the Service” shall have the corresponding meaning.

 

23


APPENDIX 1

OPTION GRANT NOTICE

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN [:NON-

EMPLOYEE SUB-PLAN]1

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) have the meanings given to them in the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan [:Non-Employee Sub-Plan]2 (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) of F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

The Company has granted to the participant listed below (“Participant”) the option described in this Grant Notice (the “Option”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Option Agreement attached as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), both of which are incorporated into this Grant Notice by reference.

Participant:

Grant Date:

Exercise Price per Share:

Shares Subject to the Option:

Final Expiration Date:

Vesting Commencement

Date:

Vesting Schedule:

Type of Option                        [Incentive Option/Non-Qualified Option]

By Participant’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan, the Agreement and any Group Company policy that may be applicable to the Participant and the Option from time to time (the “Policies”) [including but not limited to the [Company’s claw-back policy / share retention policy / remuneration policy]].3 Participant has reviewed the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Agreement.

 

 

 

1 

For Consultants and Directors who are not Employees.

2 

For Consultants and Directors who are not Employees.

3 

Delete as applicable

 

24


F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

  

PARTICIPANT

By:  

                                  

  
 

 

  

 

 

Name

   [Participant Name]
 

 

  
 

Title

  

 

25


Exhibit A

Option Agreement

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in the Grant Notice or, if not defined in the Grant Notice, in the Plan.

 

1.

GENERAL

 

1.1

Grant of Option

The Company has grant to Participant the Option effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”).

 

1.2

Incorporation of Terms of Plan.

The Option is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

2.

PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

 

2.1

Commencement and Exercisability.

The Option will vest and become exercisable according to the vesting schedule in the Grant Notice (the “Vesting Schedule”) except that any fraction of a Share as to which the Option would be vested or exercisable will be accumulated and will vest and become exercisable only when a whole Share has accumulated. Notwithstanding anything in the Grant Notice, the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, unless the Administrator determines that an unvested Option shall be treated as vested in whole or in part, then the Option will immediately expire and be forfeited as to any portion that is not vested and exercisable as of Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason .

 

2.2

Duration of Exercisability.

The Vesting Schedule is cumulative. Any portion of the Option which vests and becomes exercisable will remain vested and exercisable until the Option expires. The Option will be forfeited immediately upon its expiration.

 

2.3

Expiration of Option.

The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after, and will expire on, the first of the following to occur:

 

  (a)

The final expiration date in the Grant Notice;

 

  (b)

Except as the Administrator may otherwise approve, the expiration of three (3) months from the date of Participant’s Termination of Service, unless Participant’s Termination of Service is for Cause or by reason of Participant’s death or Disability;

 

26


  (c)

Except as the Administrator may otherwise approve, the expiration of one (1) year from the date of Participant’s Termination of Service by reason of Participant’s death or Disability; and

 

  (d)

Except as the Administrator may otherwise approve, Participant’s Termination of Service for Cause.

 

3.

EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

3.1

Person Eligible to Exercise.

During Participant’s lifetime, only Participant may exercise the Option. After Participant’s death, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time the Option expires, be exercised by Participant’s Designated Beneficiary as provided in the Plan.

 

3.2

Partial Exercise.

Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised, in whole or in part, according to the procedures in the Plan at any time prior to the time the Option or portion thereof expires, except that the Option may only be exercised for whole Shares.

 

3.3

Tax Withholding.

 

  (a)

The Company has the right and option, but not the obligation, to treat Participant’s failure to provide timely payment in accordance with the Plan of any withholding tax arising in connection with the Option as Participant’s election to satisfy all or any portion of the withholding tax by requesting the Company retain Shares otherwise issuable under the Option.

 

  (b)

Participant acknowledges that Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the Option, regardless of any action the Company or any Subsidiary takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the Option. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the awarding, vesting or exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of Shares. The Company and the Subsidiaries do not commit and are under no obligation to structure the Option to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.

 

4.

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1

Adjustments.

Participant acknowledges that the Option is subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan.

 

27


4.2

Notices.

Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company must be in writing and addressed to the Company in care of the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s principal office or the Secretary’s then-current email address or facsimile number. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to Participant must be in writing and addressed to Participant (or, if Participant is then deceased, to the person entitled to exercise the Option) at Participant’s last known mailing address, email address or facsimile number in the Company’s personnel files. By a notice given pursuant to this Section, either party may designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice will be deemed duly given when actually received, when sent by email, when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited with postage prepaid in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service, when delivered by a nationally recognized express shipping company or upon receipt of a facsimile transmission confirmation.

 

4.3

Titles.

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

 

4.4

Conformity to Applicable Laws.

Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws and, to the extent Applicable Laws permit, will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws, and this Option may be unilaterally cancelled by the Company (with the effect that all Participant’s rights hereunder lapse with immediate effect) if the Administrator determines in its reasonable discretion that such conformity is not possible or practicable.

 

4.5

Successors and Assigns.

The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

4.6

Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Option will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, this Agreement will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

28


4.7

Entire Agreement.

The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

4.8

Agreement Severable.

In the event that any provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement is held illegal or invalid, the provision will be severable from, and the illegality or invalidity of the provision will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Grant Notice or this Agreement.

 

4.9

Limitation on Participant’s Rights.

Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and may not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. Participant will have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Option, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to the Option, as and when exercised pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

4.10

Not a Contract of Employment.

Nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement confers upon Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or interferes with or restricts in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and Participant.

 

4.11

Counterparts.

The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Laws, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one instrument.

 

4.12

Incentive Options.

If the Option is designated as an Incentive Option:

 

29


  (a)

Participant acknowledges that to the extent the aggregate fair market value of shares (determined as of the time the option with respect to the shares is granted) with respect to which options intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Code, including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by Participant during any calendar year exceeds $100,000 or if for any other reason such options do not qualify or cease to qualify for treatment as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Code, such options (including the Option) will be treated as non-qualified options. Participant further acknowledges that the rule set forth in the preceding sentence will be applied by taking the Option and other options into account in the order in which they were granted, as determined under Section 422(d) of the Code. Participant also acknowledges that if the Option is exercised more than three (3) months after Participant’s Termination of Service, other than by reason of death or disability, the Option will be taxed as a Non-Qualified Option.

 

  (b)

Participant will give prompt written notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any Shares acquired under this Agreement if such disposition or other transfer is made (a) within two (2) years from the Grant Date or (b) within one (1) year after the transfer of such Shares to Participant. Such notice will specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by Participant in such disposition or other transfer.

 

30


APPENDIX 2

RESTRICTED SHARE GRANT NOTICE

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

[:NON-EMPLOYEE SUB-PLAN]4

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Restricted Share Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) have the meanings given to them in the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan [Non-Employee Sub-Plan]5 (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) of F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

The Company has granted to the participant listed below (“Participant”) the Restricted Shares (the “Restricted Shares”) described in this Grant Notice (the “Award”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Restricted Share Agreement attached as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), both of which are incorporated into this Grant Notice by reference.

 

Participant:

 

Grant

Date:

 

Number

of Restricted Shares:

 

Vesting

Commencement Date:

 

Vesting

Schedule:

 

Mandatory Sale to Cover

Withholding Taxes:

   [As a condition to acceptance of this award, to the fullest extent permitted under the Plan and Applicable Laws, withholding taxes and other tax related items will be satisfied through the sale of a number of the shares subject to the Award as determined in accordance with Section 3.3 of the Agreement and the remittance of the cash proceeds to the Company. Under the Agreement, the Company is authorized and directed by the Participant to make payment from the cash proceeds of this sale directly to the appropriate taxing authorities in an amount equal to the taxes required to be withheld. The mandatory sale of shares to cover withholding taxes and tax related items is imposed by the Company on the Participant in connection with the receipt of this Award, and it is intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) under the Exchange Act and interpreted to meet the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c).] 6

 

4 

For Consultants and Directors who are not Employees

5 

For Consultants and Directors who are not Employees

6 

Note to draft: To be considered further if Restricted Share Awards are to be granted.

 

31


By Participant’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan, the Agreement and any Group Company policy that may be applicable to the Participant and the Award from time to time (the “Policies”) [including but not limited to the [Company’s claw-back policy/ share retention policy / remuneration policy]]7. Participant has reviewed the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Agreement.

 

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC.     PARTICIPANT
By:  

                                      

   
 

 

        

 

  Name     [Participant Name]
 

 

   
  Title    

 

 

7 

Delete as applicable.

 

32


Exhibit A

RESTRICTED SHARE AGREEMENT

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in the Grant Notice or, if not defined in the Grant Notice, in the Plan.

 

1.

GENERAL

 

1.1

Issuance of Restricted Shares.

In consideration for payment of at least the nominal value, the Company will issue the Restricted Shares to the Participant effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice and will cause (a) a certificate or certificates representing the Restricted Shares to be registered in Participant’s name or (b) the Restricted Shares to be held in book-entry form. If a certificate representing the Restricted Shares is issued, the certificate will be delivered to, and held in accordance with this Agreement by, the Company or its authorized representatives and will bear the restrictive legends required by this Agreement. If the Restricted Shares are held in book-entry form, then the book-entry will indicate that the Restricted Shares are subject to the restrictions of this Agreement.

 

1.2

Incorporation of Terms of Plan.

The Restricted Shares are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

2.

VESTING, FORFEITURE AND ESCROW

 

2.1

Vesting.

The Restricted Shares will become vested Shares (the “Vested Shares”) according to the vesting schedule in the Grant Notice except that any fraction of a Share that would otherwise become a Vested Share will be accumulated and will become a Vested Share only when a whole Vested Share has accumulated.

 

2.2

Forfeiture.

In the event of Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason, Participant will immediately and automatically forfeit to the Company any Shares that are not Vested Shares (the “Unvested Shares”) at the time of Participant’s Termination of Service, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator or provided in a binding written agreement between Participant and the Company. Upon forfeiture of Unvested Shares, the Company will become the legal and beneficial owner of the Unvested Shares and all related interests and Participant will have no further rights with respect to the Unvested Shares.

 

33


2.3

Escrow.

 

  (a)

Unvested Shares will be held by the Company or its authorized representatives until (i) they are forfeited, (ii) they become Vested Shares or (iii) this Agreement is no longer in effect. By accepting this Award, Participant appoints the Company and its authorized representatives as Participant’s attorney(s)-in-fact to take all actions necessary to effect any transfer of forfeited Unvested Shares (and Retained Distributions (as defined below), if any, paid on such forfeited Unvested Shares) to the Company as may be required pursuant to the Plan or this Agreement and to execute such representations or other documents or assurances as the Company or such representatives deem necessary or advisable in connection with any such transfer. The Company, or its authorized representative, will not be liable for any good faith act or omission with respect to the holding in escrow or transfer of the Restricted Shares.

 

  (b)

All cash dividends and other distributions made or declared with respect to Unvested Shares (“Retained Distributions”) will be held by the Company until the time (if ever) when the Unvested Shares to which such Retained Distributions relate become Vested Shares. The Company will establish a separate Retained Distribution bookkeeping account (“Retained Distribution Account”) for each Unvested Share with respect to which Retained Distributions have been made or declared in cash and credit the Retained Distribution Account (without interest) on the date of payment with the amount of such cash made or declared with respect to the Unvested Share. Retained Distributions (including any Retained Distribution Account balance) will immediately and automatically be forfeited upon forfeiture of the Unvested Share with respect to which the Retained Distributions were paid or declared.

 

  (c)

As soon as reasonably practicable following the date on which an Unvested Share becomes a Vested Share, the Company will (i) cause the certificate (or a new certificate without the legend required by this Agreement, if Participant so requests) representing the Share to be delivered to Participant or, if the Share is held in book-entry form, cause the notations indicating the Share is subject to the restrictions of this Agreement to be removed and (ii) pay to Participant the Retained Distributions relating to the Share.

 

2.4

Rights as Shareholder.

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Plan, upon issuance of the Restricted Shares by the Company, Participant will have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Restricted Shares, including the right to vote the Restricted Shares and to receive dividends or other distributions paid or made with respect to the Restricted Shares.

 

34


3.

TAXATION AND TAX WITHHOLDING

 

3.1

Representation.

Participant represents to the Company that Participant has reviewed with Participant’s own tax advisors the tax consequences of the Restricted Shares and the transactions contemplated by the Grant Notice and this Agreement. Participant is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents.

 

3.2

Section 83(b) Election.

If Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the Restricted Shares, Participant will deliver a copy of the election to the Company promptly after filing the election with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

3.3

Tax Withholding.

 

  (a)

On each vesting date, and on or before the Restricted Shares vest, and at any other time as reasonably requested by the Company in accordance with applicable tax laws (including, without limitation, in connection with the payment of any Retained Distributions), Participant hereby authorizes any required withholding from the shares issuable to Participant and/or otherwise agree to make adequate provision in cash for any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or any parent or subsidiary that arise in connection with Participant’s Restricted Shares (the “Withholding Taxes”). Specifically, pursuant to Section 3.3(b), Participant has agreed to a “same day sale” commitment with a broker-dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (a “FINRA Dealer”) whereby Participant has irrevocably agreed to sell a portion of the shares in connection with Participant’s Restricted Shares to satisfy the Withholding Taxes and whereby the FINRA Dealer committed to forward the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Withholding Taxes directly to the Company and/or its parents or subsidiaries. If, for any reason, such “same day sale” commitment pursuant to Section 3.3(b) does not result in sufficient proceeds to satisfy the Withholding Taxes or would be prohibited by Applicable Laws at the applicable time, Participant hereby authorizes the Company and/or the relevant parent or subsidiary, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy the obligations with regard to all Withholding Taxes by one or a combination of the following: (i) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to Participant by the Company or any parent or subsidiary; (ii) causing Participant to tender a cash payment (which may be in the form of a check, electronic wire transfer or other method permitted by the Company); or (iii) withholding shares from the shares issued or otherwise issuable to Participant in connection with Participant’s Restricted Shares with a fair market value (measured as of the date shares are issued to Participant) equal to the amount of such Withholding Taxes; provided, however, that the number of such shares so withheld will not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and, if applicable, foreign tax

 

35


  purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income; and, provided, further, that to the extent necessary to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, such share withholding procedure will be subject to the prior approval of the Company’s Remuneration Committee.

 

  (b)

Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees to the following:

 

  (i)

Participant hereby appoints such FINRA Dealer appointed by the Company for purposes of this Section 3.3(b) as Participant’s agent (the “Agent”), and authorize the Agent:

 

  (A)

To sell on the open market at the then prevailing market price(s), on Participant’s behalf, as soon as practicable on or after each date on which the shares underlying Participant’s Restricted Shares vest, the number (rounded up to the next whole number) of the shares to be delivered to Participant in connection with the vesting of those shares sufficient to generate proceeds to cover (A) the Withholding Taxes that Participant is required to pay pursuant to the Plan and this Agreement as a result of the shares vesting (or being issued, as applicable) and (B) all applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to be collected by, the Agent with respect thereto; and

 

  (B)

To remit any remaining funds to Participant.

 

  (ii)

Participant hereby authorizes the Company and the Agent to cooperate and communicate with one another to determine the number of shares that must be sold pursuant to this Section 3.3(b).

 

  (iii)

Participant understands that the Agent may effect sales as provided in this Section 3.3(b) in one or more sales and that the average price for executions resulting from bunched orders will be assigned to Participant’s account. In addition, Participant acknowledges that it may not be possible to sell shares underlying Participant’s Restricted Shares as provided by in this Section 3.3(b) due to (A) a legal or contractual restriction applicable to Participant or the Agent, (B) a market disruption, or (C) rules governing order execution priority on the national exchange where the shares may be traded. In the event of the Agent’s inability to sell shares underlying Participant’s Restricted Shares, Participant will continue to be responsible for the timely payment to the Company of all Withholding Taxes and any other federal, state, local and foreign taxes that are required by Applicable Laws and regulations to be withheld, including but not limited to those amounts specified in this Section 3.3(b).

 

36


  (iv)

Participant acknowledges that regardless of any other term or condition of this Section 3.3(b), the Agent will not be liable to Participant for (A) special, indirect, punitive, exemplary, or consequential damages, or incidental losses or damages of any kind, or (B) any failure to perform or for any delay in performance that results from a cause or circumstance that is beyond its reasonable control.

 

  (v)

Participant hereby agrees to execute and deliver to the Agent any other agreements or documents as the Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Section 3.3(b). The Agent is a third-party beneficiary of this Section 3.3(b).

 

  (vi)

Participant hereby agrees that if Participant has signed the Grant Notice at a time that Participant is in possession of material non-public information, unless Participant informs the Company in writing within five business days following the date Participant ceases to be in possession of material non-public information that Participant is not in agreement with the provisions of this Section 3.3(b), Participant not providing such written determination shall be a determination and agreement that Participant has agreed to the provisions set forth in this Section 3.3(b) on such date as Participant has ceased to be in possession of material non-public information.

 

  (i)

This Section 3.3(b) shall terminate not later than the date on which all withholding taxes arising in connection with the vesting of Participant’s Restricted Shares have been satisfied.

 

  (c)

Participant acknowledges that Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the Restricted Shares, regardless of any action the Company or any Subsidiary takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the Restricted Shares. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the awarding, vesting or payment of the Restricted Shares or the subsequent sale of the Restricted Shares. The Company and the Subsidiaries do not commit and are under no obligation to structure this Award to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.

 

4.

RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS AND TRANSFERABILITY

 

4.1

Legends.

Any certificate representing a Restricted Share will bear the following legend until the Restricted Share becomes a Vested Share:

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE IN FAVOR OF THE COMPANY AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF A RESTRICTED SHARE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

 

37


4.2

Transferability.

The Restricted Shares and any Retained Distributions are subject to the restrictions on transfer in the Plan and may not be sold, assigned or transferred in any manner unless and until they become Vested Shares. Any attempted transfer or disposition of Unvested Shares or related Retained Distributions prior to the time the Unvested Shares become Vested Shares will be null and void. The Company will not be required to (a) transfer on its books any Restricted Share that has been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of this Agreement or (b) treat as owner of such Restricted Share or accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Restricted Share has been so transferred. The Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, or make appropriate notations to the same effect in its records.

 

5.

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

5.1

Adjustments.

Participant acknowledges that the Restricted Shares are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan.

 

5.2

Notices.

Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company must be in writing and addressed to the Company in care of the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s principal office or the Secretary’s then-current email address or facsimile number. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to Participant must be in writing and addressed to Participant at Participant’s last known mailing address, email address or facsimile number in the Company’s personnel files. By a notice given pursuant to this Section, either party may designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice will be deemed duly given when actually received, when sent by email, when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited with postage prepaid in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service, when delivered by a nationally recognized express shipping company or upon receipt of a facsimile transmission confirmation.

 

5.3

Titles.

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

 

5.4

Conformity to Applicable Laws.

Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws and, to the extent Applicable Laws permit, will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws, and the Restricted Shares shall be subject to immediate forfetiure if the Administrator determines in its reasonable discretion that such conformity is not possible or practicable.

 

38


5.5

Successors and Assigns.

The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Agreement or the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

5.6

Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Restricted Shares will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, this Agreement will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

5.7

Entire Agreement.

The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

5.8

Agreement Severable.

In the event that any provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement is held illegal or invalid, the provision will be severable from, and the illegality or invalidity of the provision will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Grant Notice or this Agreement.

 

5.9

Limitation on Participant’s Rights.

Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and may not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. Participant will have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Award.

 

5.10

Not a Contract of Employment.

Nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement confers upon Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or interferes with or restricts in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and Participant.

 

39


5.11

Counterparts.

The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Laws, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one instrument.

 

40


APPENDIX 3

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

[:NON-EMPLOYEE SUB-PLAN]8

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Performance Share Unit Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) have the meanings given to them in the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan [Non-Employee Sub-Plan]9 (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) of F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

The Company has granted to the participant listed below (“Participant”) the Performance Share Units (the “PSUs”) described in this Grant Notice (the “Award”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Performance Share Unit Agreement attached as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), both of which are incorporated into this Grant Notice by reference.

Participant:

Grant Date:

Target Number of PSUs:

Vesting Commencement Date:

Vesting Schedule:

 

Mandatory Sale to Cover

Withholding Taxes:

   [As a condition to acceptance of this award, to the fullest extent permitted under the Plan and Applicable Laws, withholding taxes and other tax related items will be satisfied through the sale of a number of the shares subject to the Award as determined in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Agreement and the remittance of the cash proceeds to the Company. Under the Agreement, the Company is authorized and directed by the Participant to make payment from the cash proceeds of this sale directly to the appropriate taxing authorities in an amount equal to the taxes required to be withheld. The mandatory sale of shares to cover withholding taxes and tax related items is imposed by the Company on the Participant in connection with the receipt of this Award, and it is intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) under the Exchange Act and be interpreted to meet the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c).]10

 

8 

For Consultants and Directors who are not Employees

9 

For Consultants and Directors who are not Employees

10 

Note to draft: To be considered further if PSUs are to be granted.

 

41


The Target Number of PSUs specified herein represents the number of shares that would become issuable pursuant to the Award if the Company were to achieve exactly 100% of the performance metric described in Attachment I to this Grant Notice. The number of shares subject to the Award that may become issuable to Participant, if any, are subject to increase or decrease based on the Company’s actual performance against such performance metric and will be determined in accordance with conditions specified in the PSU Vesting Criteria.

By Participant’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan, the Agreement and any Group Company policy that may be applicable to the Participant and the Award from time to time (the “Policies”) [including but not limited to the [Company’s claw-back policy / share retention policy / remuneration policy]]11. Participant has reviewed the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Agreement.

 

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC.     PARTICIPANT
By:  

                                              

   
 

 

   

 

  Name     [Participant Name]
 

 

   
  Title    

 

 

11 

Delete as applicable

 

42


Attachment I

PSU Vesting Criteria

Performance Metric:

[To be confirmed]

Performance Target:

[To be confirmed]

Calculation of final number of shares that may vest:

[To be confirmed]

 

43


Exhibit A

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in the Grant Notice or, if not defined in the Grant Notice, in the Plan.

 

1.

GENERAL

 

1.1

Award of PSUs.

The Company has granted the PSUs to Participant effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”). Each PSU represents the right to receive one Share or, at the option of the Company, an amount of cash, in either case, as set forth in this Agreement. Participant will have no right to the distribution of any Shares or payment of any cash until the time (if ever) the PSUs have vested.

 

1.2

Incorporation of Terms of Plan.

The PSUs are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

1.3

Unsecured Promise.

The PSUs will at all times prior to settlement represent an unsecured Company obligation payable only from the Company’s general assets.

 

2.

VESTING; FORFEITURE AND SETTLEMENT

 

2.1

Vesting; Forfeiture.

 

  (a)

The PSUs will vest according to the vesting schedule in the Grant Notice except that any fraction of a PSU that would otherwise be vested will be accumulated and will vest only when a whole PSU has accumulated. In the event of Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason, all unvested PSUs will immediately and automatically be cancelled and forfeited, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator or provided in a binding written agreement between Participant and the Company.

 

2.2

Settlement.

 

  (a)

PSUs will be paid in Shares or cash at the Company’s option as soon as administratively practicable after the vesting of the applicable PSU, but in no event more than sixty (60) days after the PSU’s vesting date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delay any payment under this Agreement that the Company reasonably determines would violate Applicable Laws until the earliest date the Company reasonably determines the making of the payment will not cause such a violation.

 

44


  (b)

If a PSU is paid in cash, the amount of cash paid with respect to the PSU will equal the Fair Market Value of a Share on the day immediately preceding the payment date.

 

  (c)

If a PSU is paid in Shares, Participant may be required to pay the nominal value thereof in the same manner as provided for Withholding Taxes below.

 

3.

TAXATION AND TAX WITHHOLDING

 

3.1

Representation.

Participant represents to the Company that Participant has reviewed with Participant’s own tax advisors the tax consequences of this Award and the transactions contemplated by the Grant Notice and this Agreement. Participant is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents.

 

3.2

Tax Withholding.

 

  (a)

On each vesting date, and on or before the time Participant receives a distribution of the shares underlying the PSUs, and at any other time as reasonably requested by the Company in accordance with applicable tax laws, Participant hereby authorizes any required withholding from the shares issuable to Participant and/or otherwise agree to make adequate provision in cash for any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or any parent or subsidiary that arise in connection with Participant’s PSU (the “Withholding Taxes”). Specifically, pursuant to Section 3.2(b), Participant has agreed to a “same day sale” commitment with a broker-dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (a “FINRA Dealer”) whereby Participant has irrevocably agreed to sell a portion of the shares to be delivered in connection with Participant’s PSUs to satisfy the Withholding Taxes and whereby the FINRA Dealer committed to forward the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Withholding Taxes directly to the Company and/or its parents or subsidiaries. If, for any reason, such “same day sale” commitment pursuant to Section 3.2(b) does not result in sufficient proceeds to satisfy the Withholding Taxes or would be prohibited by Applicable Laws at the applicable time, Participant hereby authorizes the Company and/or the relevant parent or subsidiary, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy the obligations with regard to all Withholding Taxes by one or a combination of the following: (i) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to Participant by the Company or any parent or subsidiary; (ii) causing Participant to tender a cash payment (which may be in the form of a check, electronic wire transfer or other method permitted by the Company); or (iii) withholding shares from the shares issued or otherwise issuable to Participant in connection with Participant’s PSUs with a fair market value (measured as of the date shares are issued to Participant) equal to the amount of such Withholding

 

45


Taxes; provided, however, that the number of such shares so withheld will not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and, if applicable, foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income; and, provided, further, that to the extent necessary to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, such share withholding procedure will be subject to the prior approval of the Company’s Remuneration Committee.

 

  (b)

Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees to the following:

 

  (i)

Participant hereby appoints such FINRA Dealer appointed by the Company for purposes of this Section 3.2(b) as Participant’s agent (the “Agent”), and authorize the Agent:

 

  (A)

To sell on the open market at the then prevailing market price(s), on Participant’s behalf, as soon as practicable on or after each date on which the shares underlying Participant’s PSUs vest, the number (rounded up to the next whole number) of the shares to be delivered to Participant in connection with the vesting of those shares sufficient to generate proceeds to cover (A) the Withholding Taxes that Participant is required to pay pursuant to the Plan and this Agreement as a result of the shares vesting (or being issued, as applicable) and (B) all applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to be collected by, the Agent with respect thereto; and

 

  (B)

To remit any remaining funds to Participant.

 

  (ii)

Participant hereby authorizes the Company and the Agent to cooperate and communicate with one another to determine the number of shares that must be sold pursuant to this Section 3.2(b).

 

  (iii)

Participant understands that the Agent may effect sales as provided in this Section 3.2(b) in one or more sales and that the average price for executions resulting from bunched orders will be assigned to Participant’s account. In addition, Participant acknowledges that it may not be possible to sell shares underlying Participant’s PSUs as provided by in this Section 3.2(b) due to (A) a legal or contractual restriction applicable to Participant or the Agent, (B) a market disruption, or (C) rules governing order execution priority on the national exchange where the shares may be traded. In the event of the Agent’s inability to sell shares underlying Participant’s PSUs, Participant will continue to be responsible for the timely payment to the Company of all Withholding Taxes and any other federal, state, local and foreign taxes that are required by Applicable Laws and regulations to be withheld, including but not limited to those amounts specified in this Section 3.2(b).

 

46


  (iv)

Participant acknowledges that regardless of any other term or condition of this Section 3.2(b), the Agent will not be liable to Participant for (A) special, indirect, punitive, exemplary, or consequential damages, or incidental losses or damages of any kind, or (B) any failure to perform or for any delay in performance that results from a cause or circumstance that is beyond its reasonable control.

 

  (v)

Participant hereby agrees to execute and deliver to the Agent any other agreements or documents as the Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Section 3.2(b). The Agent is a third-party beneficiary of this Section 3.2(b).

 

  (vi)

Participant hereby agrees that if Participant has signed the Grant Notice at a time that Participant is in possession of material non-public information, unless Participant informs the Company in writing within five business days following the date Participant ceases to be in possession of material non-public information that Participant is not in agreement with the provisions of this Section 3.2(b), Participant not providing such written determination shall be a determination and agreement that Participant has agreed to the provisions set forth in this Section 3.2(b) on such date as Participant has ceased to be in possession of material non-public information.

 

  (vii)

This Section 3.2(b) shall terminate not later than the date on which all withholding taxes arising in connection with the vesting of Participant’s PSUs have been satisfied.

 

  (c)

Participant acknowledges that Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the PSUs, regardless of any action the Company or any Subsidiary takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the PSUs. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the awarding, vesting or payment of the PSUs or the subsequent sale of Shares. The Company and the Subsidiaries do not commit and are under no obligation to structure the PSUs to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.

 

4.

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1

Adjustments.

Participant acknowledges that the PSUs and the Shares subject to the PSUs are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan.

 

47


4.2

Notices.

Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company must be in writing and addressed to the Company in care of the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s principal office or the Secretary’s then-current email address or facsimile number. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to Participant must be in writing and addressed to Participant at Participant’s last known mailing address, email address or facsimile number in the Company’s personnel files. By a notice given pursuant to this Section, either party may designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice will be deemed duly given when actually received, when sent by email, when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited with postage prepaid in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service, when delivered by a nationally recognized express shipping company or upon receipt of a facsimile transmission confirmation.

 

4.3

Titles.

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

 

4.4

Conformity to Applicable Laws.

Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws and, to the extent Applicable Laws permit, will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws, and this PSU may be unilaterally cancelled by the Company (with the effect that all Participant’s rights hereunder lapse with immediate effect) if the Administrator determines in its reasonable discretion that such conformity is not possible or practicable.

 

4.5

Successors and Assigns.

The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

4.6

Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the PSUs will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, this Agreement will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

4.7

Entire Agreement.

The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

48


4.8

Agreement Severable.

In the event that any provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement is held illegal or invalid, the provision will be severable from, and the illegality or invalidity of the provision will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Grant Notice or this Agreement.

 

4.9

Limitation on Participant’s Rights.

Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and may not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. Participant will have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the PSUs, and rights no greater than the right to receive cash or the Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to the PSUs, as and when settled pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

4.10

Not a Contract of Employment.

Nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement confers upon Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or interferes with or restricts in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and Participant.

 

4.11

Counterparts.

The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Laws, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one instrument.

 

49


APPENDIX 4

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT GRANT NOTICE

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

[:NON-EMPLOYEE SUB-PLAN]12

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Restricted Share Unit Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) have the meanings given to them in the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan [Non-Employee Sub-Plan]13 (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) of F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

The Company has granted to the participant listed below (“Participant”) the Restricted Share Units (the “RSUs”) described in this Grant Notice (the “Award”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Restricted Share Unit Agreement attached as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), both of which are incorporated into this Grant Notice by reference.

Participant:

Grant Date:

Number of RSUs:

Vesting Commencement Date:

Vesting Schedule:

Mandatory Sale to Cover

Withholding Taxes:    [As a condition to acceptance of this award, to the fullest extent permitted under the Plan and Applicable Laws, withholding taxes and other tax related items will be satisfied through the sale of a number of the shares subject to the Award as determined in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Agreement and the remittance of the cash proceeds to the Company. Under the Agreement, the Company is authorized and directed by the Participant to make payment from the cash proceeds of this sale directly to the appropriate taxing authorities in an amount equal to the taxes required to be withheld. The mandatory sale of shares to cover withholding taxes and tax related items is imposed by the Company on the Participant in connection with the receipt of this Award, and it is intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) under the Exchange Act and be interpreted to meet the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c).14

By Participant’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan, the Agreement and any Group Company policy that may be applicable to the Participant

 

12 

For Consultants and Directors who are not Employees

13 

For Consultants and Directors who are not Employees

14 

Note to draft: To be considered further if RSUs are to be granted.

 

50


and the Award from time to time (the “Policies”) [including but not limited to the [Company’s claw-back policy / share retention policy / remuneration policy]]15. Participant has reviewed the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Agreement.

 

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC.     PARTICIPANT
By:  

                                     

   
 

 

   

 

  Name     [Participant Name]
 

 

   
  Title    

 

15 

Delete as applicable.

 

51


Exhibit A

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in the Grant Notice or, if not defined in the Grant Notice, in the Plan.

 

1.

GENERAL

 

1.1

Award of RSUs.

The Company has granted the RSUs to Participant effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”). Each RSU represents the right to receive one Share or, at the option of the Company, an amount of cash, in either case, as set forth in this Agreement. Participant will have no right to the distribution of any Shares or payment of any cash until the time (if ever) the RSUs have vested.

 

1.2

Incorporation of Terms of Plan.

The RSUs are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

1.3

Unsecured Promise.

The RSUs will at all times prior to settlement represent an unsecured Company obligation payable only from the Company’s general assets.

 

2.

VESTING; FORFEITURE AND SETTLEMENT

 

2.1

Vesting; Forfeiture.

The RSUs will vest according to the vesting schedule in the Grant Notice except that any fraction of an RSU that would otherwise be vested will be accumulated and will vest only when a whole RSU has accumulated. In the event of Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason, all unvested RSUs will immediately and automatically be cancelled and forfeited, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator or provided in a binding written agreement between Participant and the Company.

 

2.2

Settlement.

 

  (a)

RSUs will be paid in Shares or cash at the Company’s option as soon as administratively practicable after the vesting of the applicable RSU, but in no event more than sixty (60) days after the RSU’s vesting date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws, the Company may delay any payment under this Agreement that the Company reasonably determines would violate Applicable Laws until the earliest date the Company reasonably determines the making of the payment will not cause such a violation.

 

52


  (b)

If an RSU is paid in cash, the amount of cash paid with respect to the RSU will equal the Fair Market Value of a Share on the day immediately preceding the payment date.

 

  (c)

If an RSU is paid in Shares, Participant may be required to pay the nominal value thereof in the same manner as provided for Withholding Taxes below.

 

3.

TAXATION AND TAX WITHHOLDING

 

3.1

Representation.

Participant represents to the Company that Participant has reviewed with Participant’s own tax advisors the tax consequences of this Award and the transactions contemplated by the Grant Notice and this Agreement. Participant is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents.

 

3.2

Tax Withholding.

 

  (a)

On each vesting date, and on or before the time Participant receives a distribution of the shares underlying the RSUs, and at any other time as reasonably requested by the Company in accordance with applicable tax laws, Participant hereby authorizes any required withholding from the shares issuable to Participant and/or otherwise agree to make adequate provision in cash for any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or any parent or subsidiary that arise in connection with Participant’s RSU (the “Withholding Taxes”). Specifically, pursuant to Section 3.2(b), Participant has agreed to a “same day sale” commitment with a broker-dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (a “FINRA Dealer”) whereby Participant has irrevocably agreed to sell a portion of the shares to be delivered in connection with Participant’s RSUs to satisfy the Withholding Taxes and whereby the FINRA Dealer committed to forward the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Withholding Taxes directly to the Company and/or its parents or subsidiaries. If, for any reason, such “same day sale” commitment pursuant to Section 3.2(b) does not result in sufficient proceeds to satisfy the Withholding Taxes or would be prohibited by Applicable Laws at the applicable time, Participant hereby authorizes the Company and/or the relevant parent or subsidiary, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy the obligations with regard to all Withholding Taxes by one or a combination of the following: (i) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to Participant by the Company or any parent or subsidiary; (ii) causing Participant to tender a cash payment (which may be in the form of a check, electronic wire transfer or other method permitted by the Company); or (iii) withholding shares from the shares issued or otherwise issuable to Participant in connection with Participant’s RSUs with a fair market value (measured as of the date shares are issued to Participant) equal to the amount of such Withholding Taxes; provided, however, that the number of such shares so withheld will not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local

 

53


and, if applicable, foreign tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income; and, provided, further, that to the extent necessary to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, such share withholding procedure will be subject to the prior approval of the Company’s Remuneration Committee.

 

  (b)

Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees to the following:

 

  (i)

Participant hereby appoints such FINRA Dealer appointed by the Company for purposes of this Section 3.2(b) as Participant’s agent (the “Agent”), and authorize the Agent:

 

  (A)

To sell on the open market at the then prevailing market price(s), on Participant’s behalf, as soon as practicable on or after each date on which the shares underlying Participant’s RSUs vest, the number (rounded up to the next whole number) of the shares to be delivered to Participant in connection with the vesting of those shares sufficient to generate proceeds to cover (A) the Withholding Taxes that Participant is required to pay pursuant to the Plan and this Agreement as a result of the shares vesting (or being issued, as applicable) and (B) all applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to be collected by, the Agent with respect thereto; and

 

  (B)

To remit any remaining funds to Participant.

 

  (ii)

Participant hereby authorizes the Company and the Agent to cooperate and communicate with one another to determine the number of shares that must be sold pursuant to this Section 3.2(b).

 

  (iii)

Participant understands that the Agent may effect sales as provided in this Section 3.2(b) in one or more sales and that the average price for executions resulting from bunched orders will be assigned to Participant’s account. In addition, Participant acknowledges that it may not be possible to sell shares underlying Participant’s RSUs as provided by in this Section 3.2(b) due to (A) a legal or contractual restriction applicable to Participant or the Agent, (B) a market disruption, or (C) rules governing order execution priority on the national exchange where the shares may be traded. In the event of the Agent’s inability to sell shares underlying Participant’s RSUs, Participant will continue to be responsible for the timely payment to the Company of all Withholding Taxes and any other federal, state, local and foreign taxes that are required by Applicable Laws and regulations to be withheld, including but not limited to those amounts specified in this Section 3.2(b).

 

  (iv)

Participant acknowledges that regardless of any other term or condition of this Section 3.2(b), the Agent will not be liable to Participant for (A) special, indirect, punitive, exemplary, or consequential damages, or incidental losses or damages of any kind, or (B) any failure to perform or for any delay in performance that results from a cause or circumstance that is beyond its reasonable control.

 

54


  (v)

Participant hereby agrees to execute and deliver to the Agent any other agreements or documents as the Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Section 3.2(b). The Agent is a third-party beneficiary of this Section 3.2(b).

 

  (vi)

Participant hereby agrees that if Participant has signed the Grant Notice at a time that Participant is in possession of material non-public information, unless Participant informs the Company in writing within five business days following the date Participant ceases to be in possession of material non-public information that Participant is not in agreement with the provisions of this Section 3.2(b), Participant not providing such written determination shall be a determination and agreement that Participant has agreed to the provisions set forth in this Section 3.2(b) on such date as Participant has ceased to be in possession of material non-public information.

 

  (vii)

This Section 3.2(b) shall terminate not later than the date on which all withholding taxes arising in connection with the vesting of Participant’s RSUs have been satisfied.

 

  (c)

Participant acknowledges that Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the RSUs, regardless of any action the Company or any Subsidiary takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the RSUs. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the awarding, vesting or payment of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of Shares. The Company and the Subsidiaries do not commit and are under no obligation to structure the RSUs to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.

 

4.

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1

Adjustments.

Participant acknowledges that the RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan.

 

4.2

Notices.

Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company must be in writing and addressed to the Company in care of the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s principal office or the Secretary’s then-current email address or facsimile number. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to Participant must be in writing and addressed to Participant at Participant’s last known mailing address, email address or facsimile number in the Company’s personnel files. By a notice given pursuant to this Section, either party may designate a different address for notices to be given to that

 

55


party. Any notice will be deemed duly given when actually received, when sent by email, when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited with postage prepaid in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service, when delivered by a nationally recognized express shipping company or upon receipt of a facsimile transmission confirmation.

 

4.3

Titles.

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

 

4.4

Conformity to Applicable Laws.

Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws and, to the extent Applicable Laws permit, will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws, and this RSU may be unilaterally cancelled by the Company (with the effect that all Participant’s rights hereunder lapse with immediate effect) if the Administrator determines in its reasonable discretion that such conformity is not possible or practicable.

 

4.5

Successors and Assigns.

The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement will inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in the Plan, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

4.6

Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement, and the RSUs will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, this Agreement will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

4.7

Entire Agreement.

The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

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4.8

Agreement Severable.

In the event that any provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement is held illegal or invalid, the provision will be severable from, and the illegality or invalidity of the provision will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Grant Notice or this Agreement.

 

4.9

Limitation on Participant’s Rights.

Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and may not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. Participant will have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the RSUs, and rights no greater than the right to receive cash or the Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to the RSUs, as and when settled pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

4.10

Not a Contract of Employment.

Nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement confers upon Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or interferes with or restricts in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and Participant.

 

4.11

Counterparts.

The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Laws, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one instrument.

 

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APPENDIX 5

NON-EMPLOYEE SUB-PLAN

TO THE F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

This sub-plan (the “Non-Employee Sub-Plan”) to the F-star Therapeutics, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) governs the grant of Awards to Consultants (defined below) and Directors who are not Employees, and has been adopted in accordance with Section 10.5 of the Plan. The Non-Employee Sub-Plan incorporates all the provisions of the Plan except as modified in accordance with the provisions of this Non-Employee Sub-Plan and was adopted by the Board on [ ] 2019.

Awards granted pursuant to the Non-Employee Sub-Plan are not granted pursuant to an “employees’ share scheme” for the purposes of UK legislation.

For the purposes of the Non-Employee Sub-Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall operate subject to the following modifications:

1. Interpretation

In the Non-Employee Sub-Plan, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions have the following meanings:

Consultant” means any person, including any adviser, engaged by the Company or its parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity if the consultant or adviser: (i) renders bona fide services to the Company; (ii) renders services not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities; and (iii) is a natural person.

Service Provider” means a Consultant or Director who is not an Employee.

2. Eligibility

Service Providers are eligible to be granted Awards under the Non-Employee Sub-Plan.

 

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APPENDIX 6

CSOP SUB-PLAN

CSOP OPTIONS FOR UK ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD: 2019

This sub-plan (the “CSOP Sub-Plan”) to the F-star Therapeutics, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is intended to take effect as a Schedule 4 Company Share Option Plan and has been adopted in accordance with Section 10.5 of the Plan. The CSOP Sub-Plan incorporates all the provisions of the Plan except as modified in accordance with the provisions of this CSOP Sub-Plan and

was adopted by the Board on [            ] 2019.

For the purposes of the CSOP Sub-Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall operate subject to the following modifications:

 

1.

Interpretation

In the CSOP Sub-Plan, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions have the following meanings:

 

  (a)

Acquiring Company” is a company which obtains Control of the Company in the circumstances referred to in rule 19 hereof;

 

  (b)

Adoption Date” is the date on which the CSOP Sub-Plan is adopted by the Board;

 

  (c)

Associate” has the meaning given to that expression by paragraph 12 of Schedule 4;

 

  (d)

“Constituent Company” means any of the following:

 

  (i)

the Company; and

 

  (ii)

any Eligible Company nominated by the Board to be a Constituent Company at the relevant time.

 

  (e)

“Control” the meaning given to that word by Section 719 of ITEPA 2003 and “Controlled” shall be construed accordingly;

 

  (f)

“Date of Grant” is the date on which an Option is granted under the CSOP Sub-Plan;

 

  (g)

“Eligible Company” means any company of which the Company has Control, including any jointly owned company (as defined in paragraph 34 of Schedule 4):

 

59


  (i)

which is treated as being under the Company’s Control under paragraph 34 of Schedule 4; and

 

  (ii)

which is not excluded from being a Constituent Company under paragraph 34(4) of Schedule 4;

 

  (h)

“Eligible Employee” means any Employee who:

 

  (i)

does not have a Material Interest (either on his own or together with one or more of his Associates), and has not had such an interest in the last 12 months; and

 

  (ii)

has no Associate or Associates which has or (taken together) have a Material Interest, or had such an interest in the last 12 months; and

 

  (iii)

is either:

 

  (A)

not a director of any Constituent Company; or

 

  (B)

a director of a Constituent Company who is required to devote at least 25 hours per week (excluding meal breaks) to his duties;

 

  (i)

Employee” means an employee of a Constituent Company;

 

  (j)

Exercise Price” means the price at which each Share subject to an Option may be acquired on the exercise of that Option, which (subject to rule 22 hereof):

 

  (i)

if the Shares are to be newly issued to satisfy the exercise of the Option, many not be less than the nominal value of a Share; and

 

  (ii)

may not be less than the Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant.

 

  (k)

Existing EMI Options” means all qualifying options (as defined in section 527 of ITEPA 2003) that have been granted as a result of employment with the Company (or any other member of a group of companies to which the Company belongs) that can still be exercised;

 

  (I)

Group Company means any of the following:

 

  (i)

the Company;

 

  (ii)

a company of which the Company has Control; and

 

  (iii)

a jointly owned company (as defined in paragraph 34 of Schedule 4) that is:

 

  (A)

treated as being under the Company’s Control under paragraph 34 of Schedule 4; and

 

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  (B)

that is not excluded from being a Constituent Company under paragraph 34(4) of Schedule 4.

 

  (m)

HMRC” means HM Revenue and Customs;

 

  (n)

ITEPA 2003” means The Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003;

 

  (o)

Key Feature” means any provision of the CSOP Sub-Plan which is necessary to meet the requirements of Schedule 4;

 

  (p)

Market Value” means the market value of a Share as determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of Part VIII of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, and any relevant published HMRC guidance, on the relevant date. If Shares are subject to a Relevant Restriction, Market Value shall be determined as if they were not subject to a Relevant Restriction;

 

  (q)

Material Interest” has the meaning given to that expression by paragraph 9 of Schedule 4;

 

  (r)

Option” means a right to acquire Shares granted under the CSOP Sub-Plan;

 

  (s)

Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and Participant evidencing the terms of an individual Option grant, subject to the terms and conditions of the CSOP Sub-Plan;

 

  (t)

Participant” means an individual who holds an Option or, where the context permits, his personal representatives;

 

  (u)

Redundancy” has the meaning given by the Employment Rights Act 1996;

 

  (v)

Relevant CSOP Options” means all Options granted under the Plan (and any other Schedule 4 CSOP) as a result of employment with the Company (or any other member of a group of companies to which the Company belongs) that can still be exercised;

 

  (w)

Relevant Restriction” means any provision included in any contract, agreement, arrangement or condition to which sections 423(2), 423(3) and 423(4) of ITEPA 2003 would apply if references in those sections to employment-related securities were references to Shares;

 

  (x)

Restrictions” has the meaning given to it in paragraph 36(3) of Schedule 4 to ITEPA;

 

  (y)

Schedule 4” means Schedule 4 to ITEPA 2003;

 

  (z)

Schedule 4 CSOP” means a share plan that meets the requirements of Schedule 4 to ITEPA 2003;

 

61


  (aa)

“Shares” means shares of Company Common Stock of the Company;

 

  (bb)

“Sufficient Shares” means the smallest number of Shares that, when sold, will produce an amount at least equal to the relevant Tax Liability (after deduction of brokerage and any other charges or taxes on the sale);

 

  (cc)

“Tax Liability” means the pounds sterling total of any PAYE income tax and primary class 1 (employee) national insurance contributions that the Company or any employer (or former employer) of a Participant is liable to account for as a result of the exercise of an Option.

 

2.

Companies participating in CSOP Sub-Plan

The companies participating in the CSOP Sub-Plan shall be each a Constituent Company.

 

3.

Shares used in CSOP Sub-Plan

The Shares shall form part of the ordinary share capital of the Company which satisfy the conditions specified in paragraphs 16-18 (inclusive) and 20 of Schedule 4.

 

4.

Grant of Options

An option granted under the CSOP Sub-Plan shall be granted under and subject to the rules of the Plan as modified by this sub-plan.

 

5.

Identification of Options

An Option Agreement issued in respect of an Option shall expressly state that it is issued in respect of an Option. An option which is not so identified shall not constitute an Option.

 

6.

Contents of Option Agreement

An Option Agreement issued in respect of an Option shall specify:

 

  (a)

the Date of Grant of the Option;

 

  (b)

the number of Shares subject to the Option;

 

  (c)

the Restrictions to which the Shares under Option are subject (if any);

 

  (d)

the Exercise Price;

 

  (e)

any performance criteria imposed on the exercise of the Option;

 

  (f)

the date(s) on which the Option will ordinarily become exercisable;

 

  (g)

the date(s) on which the Option will lapse; and

 

  (h)

a statement that:

 

62


  (i)

the Option is subject to these rules, Schedule 4 and any other legislation applying to Schedule 4 CSOPs; and

 

  (ii)

the provisions listed in rule 6(h)(i) shall prevail over any conflicting statement relating to the Option’s terms.

 

7.

Earliest date for grant of Options

An Option may not be granted earlier than the Adoption Date.

 

8.

Persons to whom Options may be granted

An Option may not be granted to an individual who is not an Eligible Employee at the Date of Grant.

If an Eligible Employee’s status changes, this shall be regarded as a termination of employment for the purposes of the CSOP Sub-Plan.

 

9.

Options non transferable

An Option shall be personal to the Eligible Employee to whom it is granted and, subject to rule 18 hereof, shall not be capable of being transferred, charged or otherwise alienated and shall lapse immediately if the Participant purports to transfer, charge or otherwise alienate the Option.

The Plan shall be construed accordingly.

 

10.

Limit on number of Shares placed under Option under CSOP Sub-Plan

For the avoidance of doubt, Shares placed under Option under the CSOP Sub-Plan shall be taken into account for the purpose of Section 4 of the Plan.

 

11.

HMRC limit (£30,000)

An Option may not be granted to an Eligible Employee if the result of granting the Option would be that the aggregate Market Value of the Shares subject to all outstanding options granted to him under the CSOP Sub-Plan or any other Schedule 4 CSOP would exceed sterling £30,000 or such other limit as may from time to time be specified in paragraph 6 of Schedule 4. For this purpose, the United Kingdom sterling equivalent of the Market Value of a share on any day shall be determined by taking the sterling/dollar exchange rate for that day as shown in the Wall Street Journal.

 

11.2.

If the grant of an Option would otherwise cause the limit in rule 11.1 above to be exceeded, it shall take effect as the grant of an Option under the CSOP Sub-Plan over the highest number of Shares which does not cause the limit to be exceeded.

 

11.3.

If the grant of any share option intended to be an Option (referred to in this rule 11.3 as the Excess Option) would cause the total Market Value of Shares subject to:

 

63


  (a)

the Excess Option; and

 

  (b)

all Relevant CSOP Options held by the relevant Eligible Employee; and

 

  (c)

all Existing EMI Options held by the relevant Eligible Employee, to exceed £250,000 (or any other amount specified in section 536(1)(e) of ITEPA 2003 at the relevant time), the whole of that Excess Option shall take effect as a share option granted outside the CSOP Sub-Plan) but subject to the same terms and conditions as if it were an Option) and without the tax advantages available for Options.

 

12.

Performance criteria imposed on exercise of Option

 

12.1.

Any performance criteria imposed on the exercise of an Option shall be:

 

  (a)

objective;

 

  (b)

such that, once satisfied, the exercise of the Option is not subject to the discretion of any person; and

 

  (c)

stated on the Date of Grant.

 

12.2.

If an event occurs as a result of which the Board considers that any performance criteria imposed on the exercise of an Option is no longer appropriate and amends or modifies the performance criteria, such amendment or modification shall:

 

  (a)

be fair and reasonable in the circumstances; and

 

  (b)

produce a measure of performance that is no more difficult to satisfy than the original.

 

13.

Exercise of Options by Leavers

 

13.1.

The period during which an Option shall remain exercisable following termination of employment, shall be stated at grant in the Option Agreement, which period may not thereafter be altered.

 

13.2.

A Participant who ceases to be an Employee due to:

 

  (a)

injury;

 

  (b)

ill health;

 

  (c)

disability;

 

  (d)

retirement;

 

  (e)

Redundancy;

 

  (f)

the Participant’s employer ceasing to be a Group Company; or

 

64


  (g)

a relevant transfer within the meaning of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, will be a “Good Leaver” and may exercise their Option as provided in the Option Agreement during the period of six months following the date the Participant ceased to be an Employee and the Option shall lapse at the end of the exercise period to the extent it is not exercised.

 

14.

Latest date for exercise of Options

The period during which an Option shall remain exercisable shall be stated in the Option Agreement and any Option not exercised by that time shall lapse immediately.

 

15.

Tax Liabilities

15.1. Each Option shall include a requirement that the Participant irrevocably agrees to:

 

  (a)

pay to the Company, his employer or former employer (as appropriate) the amount of Tax Liability; or

 

  (b)

enter into arrangements to the satisfaction of the Company, his employer or former employer (as appropriate) for payment of any Tax Liability.

 

15.2.

If a Participant does not fulfil his obligations under rule 15.1(a) or rule 15.1(b) hereof in respect of any Tax Liability arising from the exercise of an Option within seven days after the date of exercise and Shares are readily saleable at that time, the Company shall withhold Sufficient Shares from the Shares which would otherwise be delivered to the Participant. From the net proceeds of sale of those withheld Shares, the Company shall pay to the employer or former employer an amount equal to the Tax Liability and shall pay any balance to the Participant.

 

15.3.

Participants shall have no rights to compensation or damages on account of any loss in respect of Options or the CSOP Sub-Plan where such loss arises (or is claimed to arise), in whole or in part, from the CSOP Sub-Plan ceasing to be a Schedule 4 CSOP.

 

16.

Manner of payment for Shares on exercise of Options

The amount due on the exercise of an Option shall be paid:

 

  (a)

in cash or by cheque or banker’s draft and may be paid out of funds provided to the Participant on loan by a bank, broker or other person; or

 

  (b)

if there is a public market for Shares at the time of exercise, unless the Company otherwise determines, (A) delivery (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, or (B) the Participant’s delivery to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, the amount may not be paid by the transfer to the Company of Shares or by a “net exercise”.

 

17.

Issue or transfer of Shares on exercise of Options

Subject only to compliance by the Participant with the rules of the CSOP Sub-Plan and to any delay necessary to complete or obtain:

 

  (a)

the listing of the Shares on any stock exchange on which Shares are then listed;

 

  (b)

such registration or other qualification of the Shares under any applicable law, rule or regulation as the Company determines is necessary or desirable;

the Company shall, as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event not later than thirty days after the date of exercise of an Option, issue or transfer to the Participant, or procure the issue or transfer to the Participant of, the number of Shares specified in the notice of exercise and shall deliver to the Participant, or procure the delivery to the Participant of, a share certificate in respect of such Shares (unless the Shares are held in uncertificated book entry form) together with, in the case of the partial exercise of an Option, an Option Agreement in respect of, or the original Option Agreement endorsed to show, the unexercised part of the Option.

 

18.

Death of Participant

If a Participant dies, his personal representatives shall be entitled to exercise his Options for the twelve month period following his death. If not so exercised, the Options shall lapse immediately.

 

19.

Change in Control

19.1. Exchange of Options

If a company (“Acquiring Company”) obtains Control of the Company as a result of:

 

  (a)

making a general offer to acquire the whole of the issued share capital of the Company which is made on a condition such that if it is satisfied the person making the offer will have Control of the Company;

 

  (b)

making a general offer to acquire all the shares in the Company that are the same class as the Shares;

 

  (c)

the court sanctioning a compromise or arrangement under section 899 of the Companies Act 2006 that is applicable to or affects:

 

  (i)

all the ordinary share capital of the Company or all the Shares of the same class as the Shares to which the Option relates; or

 

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  (ii)

all the Shares, or all the Shares of that same class, which are held by a class of shareholders identified otherwise than by reference to their employment or directorships or their participation in a Schedule 4 CSOP; or

 

  (d)

shareholders becoming bound by a non-UK reorganisation (as defined by paragraph 35ZA of Schedule 4) that is applicable to or affects (i) all the ordinary share capital of the Company or all the shares of the same class as the Shares to which the Option relates; or (ii) all the shares, or all the shares of that same class, which are held by a class of shareholders identified otherwise than by reference to their employment or directorships or their participation in a Schedule 4 CSOP, a Participant may, at any time during the period set out in rule 19.2, hereof by agreement with the Acquiring Company, release his Option in whole or in part in consideration of the grant to him of a new option (“New Option”) which is equivalent to the Option but which relates to shares in the Acquiring Company (or some other company falling within paragraph 27(2) (b) of Schedule 4) (“New Shares”).

 

19.2.

Period allowed for exchange of Options

The period referred to in rule 19.1 is the period of six months beginning with the time when the person making the offer has obtained Control of the Company and any condition subject to which the offer is made has been satisfied or such other period as is specified in Schedule 4.

 

19.3.

Meaning of “equivalent”

The New Option shall not be regarded for the purpose of this rule 19 as equivalent to the Option unless:

 

  (a)

the New Shares satisfy the conditions specified in paragraphs 16 to 20 inclusive of Schedule 4; and

 

  (b)

save for any performance criteria imposed on the exercise of the Option, the New Option will be exercisable in the same manner as the Option and subject to the provisions of the CSOP Sub-Plan as it had effect immediately before the release of the Option; and

 

  (c)

the total Market Value, immediately before the release of the Option, of the Shares which were subject to the Option is equal to the total Market Value, immediately after the grant of the New Option, of the New Shares determined using a methodology agreed by HMRC; and

 

  (d)

the total amount payable by the Participant for the acquisition of the New Shares under the New Option is equal to the total amount that would have been payable by the Participant for the acquisition of the Shares under the Option.

 

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19.4.

Date of grant of New Option

The date of grant of the New Option shall be deemed to be the same as the Date of Grant of the Option.

 

19.5.

Application of CSOP Sub-Plan to New Option

In the application of the CSOP Sub-Plan to the New Option, where appropriate, references to “Company” and “Shares” shall be read as if they were references to the company to whose shares the New Option relates and the New Shares, respectively.

 

19.6.

Interaction with Section 8.2 of the Plan

 

  (a)

Reference in Section 8.2(b) of the Plan to cancellation, assumption or substitution, adjustment to the kind of shares, replacement or termination of Options, shall be disapplied for the purposes of the CSOP Sub-Plan.

 

  (b)

In the event that a “Transaction” does not fall within rule 19.1 above, or where it does, but an Acquiring Company does not agree to grant a New Option, or if a New Option would not be regarded as `equivalent’ in accordance with rule 19.3 above, the Board shall give written notice to the Participants and all Options shall be exercisable in full up to 20 days before a Transaction save that any Option exercised in anticipation of a Transaction that does not take place will be treated as not having been exercised.

 

20.

Rights attaching to Shares issued on exercise of Options

All Shares issued on the exercise of an Option shall, as to any voting, dividend, transfer and other rights, including those arising on a liquidation of the Company, rank equally in all respects and as one class with the Shares in issue at the date of such exercise save as regards any rights attaching to such Shares by reference to a record date prior to the date of such exercise.

 

21.

Amendment of CSOP Sub-Plan

Notwithstanding Section 10.4 of the Plan, no amendment to a Key Feature of the CSOP Sub-Plan shall take effect if, as a result of the amendment, the CSOP Sub-Plan would no longer be a Schedule 4 CSOP.

 

22.

Adjustment of Options

 

22.1.

Notwithstanding Sections 8.1 and 8.2(b) of the Plan, no adjustment may be made to an Option (i) other than in accordance with paragraph 22 of Schedule 4 and (ii) in the event of a demerger or payment of a capital dividend or similar event.

 

22.2.

Where an adjustment to an Option is made, the total Market Value of the Shares subject to the Option and the total amount payable on the exercise of the Option before and after the adjustment must be the same.

 

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23.

Exercise of discretion by the Board

In exercising any discretion which it may have under the CSOP Sub-Plan, the Board shall act fairly and reasonably.

 

24.

Disapplication of certain provisions of Plan

The provisions of the Plan dealing with:

 

  (a)

Share Appreciation Rights (contained in Section 5);

 

  (b)

Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units; Performance Share Units (contained in Section 6)

 

  (a)

Other Share Based Awards (contained in Section 7);

 

  (b)

The ability to adjust the kind of securities and make cash payments (set out in Sections 8.1 and 8.2(b));

 

  (c)

The powers to amend and reprice (Section 9.6);

 

  (d)

The power to accelerate (Section 9.8);

 

  (e)

Incentive Options (contained in Section 9.9);

 

  (f)

Section 409A (Section 10.6);

 

  (g)

The Non-Employee Sub-Plan; and

 

  (h)

The EMI Sub-Plan.

shall not form part of, and shall be disregarded for the purposes of the CSOP Sub-Plan.

 

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APPENDIX 7

CSOP OPTION GRANT NOTICE

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN:

CSOP SUB-PLAN

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) have the meanings given to them in the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan: CSOP Sub-Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) of F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

The Company has granted to the participant listed below (“Participant”) the option described in this Grant Notice (the “Option”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Option Agreement attached as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), both of which are incorporated into this Grant Notice by reference.

Participant:

Grant Date:

Exercise Price per Share:

Shares Subject to the Option:

Restrictions to which the

Shares are subject (if any):

Final Expiration Date:

Vesting Commencement

Date:

 

Vesting Schedule:    Please note that the tax treatment of a CSOP Option may change if the CSOP Option is exercised prior to the third anniversary of the Grant Date.
Type of Option    CSOP Option subject to the provisions of the CSOP Sub-Plan and to Schedule 4 to the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003. This statement shall take precedent over any conflicting statement about the terms of the Option.

By Participant’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan, the Agreement and any Group Company policy that may be applicable to the Participant and the Option from time to time (the “Policies”) [including but not limited to the [Company’s claw-back policy / share retention policy / remuneration policy]]16. Participant has reviewed the

 

16 

Delete as applicable.

 

70


Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Agreement.

 

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC.     PARTICIPANT
By:  

                    

   
 

 

   

 

  Name     [Participant Name]
 

 

   
  Title    

 

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Exhibit A

CSOP OPTION AGREEMENT

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in the Grant Notice or, if not defined in the Grant Notice, in the Plan.

 

1.

GENERAL

 

1.1.

Grant of Option.

The Company has granted to Participant the Option effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”).

 

1.2.

Incorporation of Terms of Plan.

The Option is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

2.

PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

 

2.1.

Commencement of Exercisability.

The Option will vest and become exercisable according to the vesting schedule in the Grant Notice (the “Vesting Schedule”) except that any fraction of a Share as to which the Option would be vested or exercisable will be accumulated and will vest and become exercisable only when a whole Share has accumulated. Notwithstanding anything in the Grant Notice, the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, unless the Administrator determines that an unvested Option shall be treated as vested in whole or in part, then the Option will immediately expire and be forfeited as to any portion that is not vested and exercisable as of Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason.

 

2.2.

Duration of Exercisability

The Vesting Schedule is cumulative. Any portion of the Option which vests and becomes exercisable will remain vested and exercisable until the Option expires. The Option will be forfeited immediately upon its expiration.

 

2.3.

Expiration of Option

The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after, and will expire on, the first of the following to occur:

 

  (a)

The final expiration date in the Grant Notice;

 

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  (b)

Except as the Administrator may otherwise approve, the expiration of three (3) months from the date of Participant’s Termination of Service, unless Participant’s Termination of Service is for Cause or by reason of Participant’s death or as a Good Leaver;

 

  (c)

The expiration of twelve (12) months from the date of Participant’s Termination of Service by reason of Participant’s death;

 

  (d)

The expiration of six (6) months from the date of Participant’s Termination of Service as a Good Leaver; and

 

  (e)

Except as the Administrator may otherwise approve, Participant’s Termination of Service for Cause.

 

3.

EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

3.1.

Person Eligible to Exercise.

During Participant’s lifetime, only Participant may exercise the Option. After Participant’s death, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time the Option expires, be exercised by Participant’s personal representative

 

3.2.

Partial Exercise.

Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised, in whole or in part, according to the procedures in the Plan at any time prior to the time the Option or portion thereof expires, except that the Option may only be exercised for whole Shares.

 

3.3.

Tax Withholding.

 

  (a)

The Company has the right and option, but not the obligation, to treat Participant’s failure to provide timely payment in accordance with the Plan of any withholding tax arising in connection with the Option as Participant’s election to satisfy all or any portion of the withholding tax by requesting the Company retain Shares otherwise issuable under the Option.

 

  (b)

Participant acknowledges that Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the Option, regardless of any action the Company or any Subsidiary takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the Option. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the awarding, vesting or exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of Shares. The Company and the Subsidiaries do not commit and are under no obligation to structure the Option to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.

 

  (c)

Depending on the circumstances, on exercise of the Option Participant may have an income tax liability under PAYE and may be required to pay National Insurance Contributions (“NICs”). If so, then:

 

73


  (i)

the Company or the company which employs Participant may require Participant to pay amounts in respect of PAYE and primary (employee) NICs liability in cash arising from exercise of the Option; and

 

  (ii)

in some circumstances the Company may withhold the number of Shares required to meet the liabilities in respect of PAYE and primary (employee) class 1 NICs.

 

  (d)

Participant’s option may only be exercised if Participant confirms (in writing) Participant’s agreement to the requirements of the CSOP Sub-Plan relating to PAYE and NICs (Rule 15). This may be done at the time of exercise.

 

4.

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1.

Adjustments.

Participant acknowledges that the Option is subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan (with the specific provisions set out in the CSOP Sub-Plan).

 

4.2.

Notices.

Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company must be in writing and addressed to the Company in care of the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s principal office or the Secretary’s then-current email address or facsimile number. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to Participant must be in writing and addressed to Participant (or, if Participant is then deceased, to the person entitled to exercise the Option) at Participant’s last known mailing address, email address or facsimile number in the Company’s personnel files. By a notice given pursuant to this Section, either party may designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice will be deemed duly given when actually received, when sent by email, when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited with postage prepaid in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service, when delivered by a nationally recognized express shipping company or upon receipt of a facsimile transmission confirmation.

 

4.3.

Titles.

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

 

4.4.

Conformity to Applicable Laws.

Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws and, to the extent Applicable Laws permit, will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws.

 

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4.5.

Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Option will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, this Agreement will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

4.6.

Entire Agreement.

The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

4.7.

Agreement Severable.

In the event that any provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement is held illegal or invalid, the provision will be severable from, and the illegality or invalidity of the provision will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Grant Notice or this Agreement.

 

4.8.

Limitation on Participant’s Rights.

Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and may not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. Participant will have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Option, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to the Option, as and when exercised pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

4.9.

Not a Contract of Employment.

Nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement confers upon Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or interferes with or restricts in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and Participant.

 

4.10.

Counterparts.

The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Laws, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one instrument.

 

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4.11.

CSOP Options.

This CSOP Option is subject to the provisions of the CSOP Sub-Plan and to Schedule 4 to the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003. This statement shall take precedent over any conflicting statement about the terms of the Option.

 

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APPENDIX 8

EMI SUB-PLAN

EMI OPTIONS FOR UK ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD ON                        2019

This sub-plan (the “EMI Sub-Plan”) to the F-star Therapeutics, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted in accordance with Section 10.5 of the Plan. The EMI Sub-Plan incorporates all the provisions of the Plan except as modified in accordance with the provisions of this EMI Sub-Plan and was adopted by the Board on [ ] 2019.

EMI Options may only be granted for the purpose as set out in paragraph 4 of Schedule 5 (that is, for commercial reasons in order to recruit or retain Eligible Employees and not as part of a scheme or arrangement the main purpose, or one of the main purposes of which, is the avoidance of tax).

For the purposes of the EMI Sub-Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall operate subject to the following modifications:-

 

1.

Interpretation

In the EMI Sub-Plan, the following definitions in the Plan shall be replaced as set out below:

 

  (a)

Fair Market Value” means the market value of shares as defined in paragraph 55 of Schedule 5 and determined in accordance with paragraph 56 of Schedule 5 and paragraph 5(7) of Schedule 5 (in respect of the Individual EMI Limit).

 

  (b)

Non-Qualified Option” means a right granted or to be granted to an Employee pursuant to the EMI Sub-Plan that does not qualify as an EMI Option satisfying the provisions of Schedule 5.

 

  (c)

Option” means a Non-Qualified Option or an EMI Option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to the EMI-Sub Plan.

In the EMI Sub-Plan the following definition shall apply:

 

  (d)

Committed Time” means the time an Eligible Employee is required to spend on the business of the Company or any Qualifying Subsidiary (including any time which the Employee would have been so required to spend but for Permitted Absence) as defined in paragraph 26(2) of Schedule 5;

 

  (e)

Company EMI Limit” means the total value of Shares in respect of which unexercised EMI Options exist being not more than £3 million or such other amount as may from time to time be specified in paragraph 7 of Schedule 5;

 

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  (f)

Connected” has the meaning given by Section 718 of ITEPA;

 

  (g)

Control” has the meaning given by Section 719 of ITEPA;

 

  (h)

CSOP Options” means an option granted pursuant to Schedule 4 of ITEPA;

 

  (i)

Disqualifying Event” means an event specified in Sections 534 to 536 inclusive of ITEPA;

 

  (j)

Eligible Employee” means an individual who at the date of grant of an EMI Option is:

 

  (i)

an Employee of the Company or a Qualifying Subsidiary whose Committed Time is at least 25 hours per week, or, if less, 75% of his “working time” as defined in paragraph 27 of Schedule 5; and

 

  (ii)

not precluded from such participation by paragraph 28 of Schedule 5 (no material interest);

 

  (k)

EMI Option” means an option granted under this EMI Sub-Plan which is a qualifying option for the purposes of the EMI Code as defined in section 527(4) of ITEPA;

 

  (I)

EMI Option Agreement” means the written agreement evidencing the grant of an EMI Option containing the terms set out in paragraph 5 of this EMI Sub-Plan;

 

  (m)

Gross Assets Limit” means £30 million or such other amount as may from time to time be specified in paragraph 12 of Schedule 5;

 

  (n)

Group” means the Company and its Qualifying Subsidiaries and the phrase “Group Company” shall be construed accordingly;

 

  (o)

HMRC” means Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs;

 

  (p)

Individual EMI Limit” means £250,000 less £1 or such other amount as may from time to time be specified in paragraph 5 of Schedule 5 less £1;

 

  (q)

Individual Three Year EMI Limit” means £250,000 or such other amount as may from time to time be specified in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5;

 

  (r)

ITEPA” means the Income Tax (Earnings & Pensions) Act 2003;

 

  (s)

Permitted Absence” means the time spent as set out in paragraph 26(3) of Schedule 5 (summarised as absence from work for injury, ill-health or disability, pregnancy, childbirth, maternity or paternity leave or parental leave, reasonable holiday entitlement or not being required to work during a period of notice of termination of employment);

 

78


  (t)

Qualifying Exchange of Shares” means arrangements which meet the conditions of paragraph 40 of Schedule 5;

 

  (u)

Qualifying Subsidiary” has the meaning given in paragraph 11 of Schedule 5;

 

  (v)

Restricted Securities” has the meaning given in section 423 of ITEPA; and

 

  (w)

Schedule 5” means Schedule 5 to ITEPA as amended from time to time.

 

2.

Eligibility

Only Eligible Employees may be granted EMI Options under the EMI Sub-Plan.

 

3.

EMI Option Requirements

An Option granted under the EMI Sub-Plan shall only be an EMI Option if the Shares which may be acquired satisfy the conditions specified in paragraph 35 (1) of Schedule 5 (ordinary shares, fully paid up and not redeemable).

EMI Options may only be granted if at the date of grant of the EMI Option:

 

  (a)

the Company is independent in accordance with paragraph 9 of Schedule 5, that is, it is not:

 

  i.

a 51% Subsidiary of another company; or

 

  ii.

under the Control of another company; or another company and any other person Connected with that company, and there are no arrangements in existence (except for arrangements with a view to a Qualifying Exchange of Shares) by virtue of which the Company could become within (i) or (ii) above;

 

  (b)

the Company, or the Group as the case may be, meets the trading activities requirements as set out in paragraphs 13 and 14 and read with paragraphs 15 to 23 of Schedule 5;

 

  (c)

the Company’s subsidiaries are Qualifying Subsidiaries and, where appropriate, qualifying property managing subsidiaries as set out in paragraph 11A of Schedule 5;

 

  (d)

the Group meets the requirement as to the number of employees set out in paragraph 12A of Schedule 5 (currently 250 full-time equivalents); and

 

  (e)

the Gross Assets Limit is not exceeded (currently £30 million).

 

4.

Board discretion

Where the Board is aware that the exercise of any of its powers under the Plan would constitute a Disqualifying Event or would otherwise impact on the tax treatment of an EMI Option or the Shares subject thereto, the Board may notify the Participant as such prior to the exercise of its powers.

 

79


5.

EMI Option Agreement

EMI Options granted under the EMI Sub-Plan shall be made by EMI Option Agreement being a written agreement between the Participant and the Company in a form determined by the Board for the time being, and shall be evidence of the Participant’s agreement to the terms of this EMI Sub-Plan and shall include all details required pursuant to paragraph 37 of Schedule 5, including:

 

  (a)

the date of grant;

 

  (b)

that the EMI Option is granted under the provisions of Schedule 5;

 

  (c)

any conditions that must be met before an EMI Option may be exercised;

 

  (d)

the number, or maximum number, of Shares that may be acquired;

 

  (e)

the exercise price payable or the method by which the exercise price is to be determined;

 

  (f)

when and how it may be exercised; and

 

  (g)

any restrictions that cause the Shares to be Restricted Securities.

 

6.

Manner of Payment for Shares on Exercise of Options

The amount due on the exercise of an EMI Option shall be paid:

 

  (a)

in cash or by cheque or banker’s draft and may be paid out of funds provided to the Participant on loan by a bank, broker or other person; or

 

  (b)

if there is a public market for Shares at the time of exercise, unless the Company otherwise determines, (A) delivery (including telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, or (B) the Participant’s delivery to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator.

For the avoidance of doubt, the amount may not be paid by the transfer to the Company of Shares or by a “net exercise”.

 

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7.

HMRC Notice of Grant

The Company shall give notice to HMRC of the grant of an EMI Option in such form as may be required by HMRC from time to time within 92 days thereof.

Failure of the Company to give notice to HMRC of the grant in a proper and timely manner for whatever reason shall result in the Option subsisting as a Non-Qualified Option.

The Company does not warrant that any Option granted under the EMI Sub-Plan qualifies as an EMI Option and the Company does not have any obligation whatsoever to a Participant in the event that an Option is or becomes a Non-Qualified Option for any reason whatsoever including any deliberate action on the part of the Company.

 

8.

Non-Qualified Options

If an Option intended to be an EMI Option does not qualify under Schedule 5, the Option shall subsist as a Non-Qualified Option.

 

9.

Limitations on Grants of EMI Options

 

  (a)

Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below, the grant of an EMI Option shall be limited and shall take effect so that the Individual EMI Limit and the Individual Three Year EMI Limit are not exceeded.

 

  (b)

Where the Board grants an option intended to be an EMI Option to an Eligible Employee which causes the aggregate Fair Market Value of his unexercised EMI Options and CSOP Options granted by reason of his employment within the Group to exceed the Individual EMI Limit, the Option so far as it relates to the excess number of Shares that cause the Individual EMI Limit to be exceeded shall continue to subsist as a Non-Qualified Option.

 

  (c)

Where the Board grants an Option intended to be an EMI Option to an Eligible Employee which by virtue of the Individual Three Year EMI Limit is a Non-Qualified Option, the Option shall continue to subsist as a Non-Qualified Option.

 

  (d)

An EMI Option cannot be granted if the Company EMI Limit is already exceeded.

 

  (e)

Notwithstanding paragraph (d) above, where the Board grants one or more options intended to be EMI Options to one or more Eligible Employees when the Company EMI Limit is already exceeded, the Options shall subsist as Non-Qualified Options.

 

  (f)

Where the Board grants one or more options intended to be EMI Options to one or more Eligible Employees which either individually or taken together would cause the Company EMI Limit to be exceeded, each option shall, so far as it relates to the excess number of Shares that cause the Company EMI Limit to be exceeded as determined in accordance with paragraph 7(5) of Schedule 5, continue to subsist as a Non-Qualified Option.

 

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  (g)

No option may be exercised as an EMI Option by a person who is excluded from participation in the EMI Sub-Plan by virtue of paragraph 29 of Schedule 5 (interest in more than 30% of ordinary share capital of the Company).

 

10.

Options Non Transferable

An Option shall be personal to the Eligible Employee to whom it is granted and, other than on death to the Participant’s personal representative, shall not be capable of being transferred, charged or otherwise alienated and shall lapse immediately if the Participant purports to transfer, charge or otherwise alienate the Option.

 

11.

UK Withholding Obligations

Participant shall, unconditionally and irrevocably agree as a condition of the vesting or exercise of his Option:

 

  (a)

to place the Company in funds and indemnify the Company in respect of (1) all liability to UK income tax which the Company is liable to account for on behalf of the Participant directly to HMRC; and (2) all liability to primary (employee) national insurance contributions which the Company is liable to account for on behalf of the Participant to HMRC (the “UK Tax Liability”); or

 

  (b)

to permit the Company to sell at the best price which it can reasonably obtain such number of Shares allocated or allotted to the Participant following exercise or vesting (as the case may be) of his Option as will provide the Company with an amount equal to the UK Tax Liability; and to permit the Company to withhold an amount not exceeding the UK Tax Liability from any payment made to the Participant (including, but not limited to salary); and

 

  (c)

if so required by the Company, to enter into a joint election within Section 431 of ITEPA in respect of computing any tax charge on the acquisition of “restricted securities” (as defined in Section 423 and 424 of ITEPA); and

 

  (d)

to sign, promptly, all documents required by the Company to effect the terms of this Section and references in this Section to “the Company” shall, if applicable, be construed as also referring to any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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APPENDIX 9

EMI OPTION GRANT NOTICE

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC. 2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN:

EMI SUB-PLAN

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) have the meanings given to them in the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan: EMI Sub-Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) of F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

The Company has granted to the participant listed below (“Participant”) the option described in this Grant Notice (the “Option”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Option Agreement attached as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), both of which are incorporated into this Grant Notice by reference.

Participant:

Grant Date:

Exercise Price per Share:

Shares Subject to the Option:

Restrictions to which the

Shares are subject (if any):

Final Expiration Date:

Vesting Commencement

Date:

 

Vesting Schedule:    Please note that the tax treatment of an EMI Option may change if the EMI Option is exercised more than 90 days after the Participant’s Termination of Service.
Type of Option    EMI Option granted under the provisions of Schedule 5 to the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions Act 2003)

By Participant’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of this Grant Notice, the Plan, the Agreement and any Group Company policy that may be applicable to the Participant and the Option from time to time (the “Policies”) [including but not limited to the [Company’s claw-back policy / share retention policy / remuneration policy]]17. Participant has reviewed the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Policies. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Agreement.

 

17 

Delete as applicable.

 

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The undersigned Optionholder declares that he or she works for the Company whose shares of Company Common Stock are the subject of this EMI Option or for a subsidiary of the Company for at least 25 hours per week or 75% of his or her working time and that he or she acknowledges the restrictions to which the Shares are subject as set out in the attached summary of restrictions.

 

F-STAR THERAPEUTICS, INC.     PARTICIPANT
By:  

                             

        

 

 

 

   

 

  Name     [Participant Name]
 

 

   
  Title    

 

84


Exhibit A

EMI OPTION AGREEMENT

Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Agreement have the meanings specified in the Grant Notice or, if not defined in the Grant Notice, in the Plan.

 

1.

GENERAL

 

1.1.

Grant of Option.

The Company has granted to Participant the Option effective as of the grant date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”). The Option is an EMI Option granted under the provisions of Schedule 5 to the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (“ITEPA”).

 

1.2.

Incorporation of Terms of Plan.

The Option is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will control.

 

2.

PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

 

2.1.

Commencement of Exercisability.

The Option will vest and become exercisable according to the vesting schedule in the Grant Notice (the “Vesting Schedule”) except that any fraction of a Share as to which the Option would be vested or exercisable will be accumulated and will vest and become exercisable only when a whole Share has accumulated. Notwithstanding anything in the Grant Notice, the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, unless the Administrator determines that an unvested Option shall be treated as vested in whole or in part, then the Option will immediately expire and be forfeited as to any portion that is not vested and exercisable as of Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason.

 

2.2.

Duration of Exercisability

The Vesting Schedule is cumulative. Any portion of the Option which vests and becomes exercisable will remain vested and exercisable until the Option expires. The Option will be forfeited immediately upon its expiration.

 

2.3.

Expiration of Option

The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after, and will expire on, the first of the following to occur:

 

  (a)

The final expiration date in the Grant Notice;

 

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  (b)

Except as the Administrator may otherwise approve, the expiration of three (3) months from the date of Participant’s Termination of Service, unless Participant’s Termination of Service is for Cause or by reason of Participant’s death or Disability;

 

  (c)

The expiration of twelve (12) months from the date of Participant’s Termination of Service by reason of Participant’s death or Disability;

 

  (d)

Except as the Administrator may otherwise approve, Participant’s Termination of Service for Cause.

 

3.

EXERCISE OF OPTION

 

3.1.

Person Eligible to Exercise.

During Participant’s lifetime, only Participant may exercise the Option. After Participant’s death, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time the Option expires, be exercised by Participant’s personal representative.

 

3.2.

Partial Exercise.

Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised, in whole or in part, according to the procedures in the Plan at any time prior to the time the Option or portion thereof expires, except that the Option may only be exercised for whole Shares.

 

3.3.

Tax Withholding.

 

  (a)

The Company has the right and option, but not the obligation, to treat Participant’s failure to provide timely payment in accordance with the Plan of any withholding tax arising in connection with the Option as Participant’s election to satisfy all or any portion of the withholding tax by requesting the Company retain Shares otherwise issuable under the Option.

 

  (b)

Participant acknowledges that Participant is ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes owed in connection with the Option, regardless of any action the Company or any Subsidiary takes with respect to any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the Option. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary makes any representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in connection with the awarding, vesting or exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of Shares. The Company and the Subsidiaries do not commit and are under no obligation to structure the Option to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liability.

 

  (c)

As a condition of the exercise Participant unconditionally and irrevocably agrees:

 

  (i)

to place the Company in funds and indemnify the Company in respect of (1) all liability to UK income tax which the Company is liable to account for on Participant’s behalf directly to HM Revenue & Customs; and (2) all liability to primary (employee) national insurance contributions which the Company is liable to account for on Participant’s behalf to HM Revenue & Customs (the “UK Tax Liability”); or

 

86


  (ii)

to permit the Company to sell at the best price which it can reasonably obtain such number of Shares allocated or allotted to Participant following exercise as will provide the Company with an amount equal to the UK Tax Liability; and to permit the Company to withhold an amount not exceeding the UK Tax Liability from any payment made to Participant (including, but not limited to, salary); and

 

  (iii)

if so required by the Company, to enter into a joint election within Section 431 of ITEPA in respect of computing any tax charge on the acquisition of “restricted securities” (as defined in Section 423 and 424 of ITEPA); and

 

  (iv)

to sign, promptly, all documents, required by the Company to effect the terms of this provision, and references in this provision to “the Company” shall, if applicable, be construed as also referring to any Subsidiary.

 

4.

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1.

Adjustments.

Participant acknowledges that the Option is subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan.

 

4.2.

Notices.

Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company must be in writing and addressed to the Company in care of the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s principal office or the Secretary’s then-current email address or facsimile number. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to Participant must be in writing and addressed to Participant (or, if Participant is then deceased, to the person entitled to exercise the Option) at Participant’s last known mailing address, email address or facsimile number in the Company’s personnel files. By a notice given pursuant to this Section, either party may designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice will be deemed duly given when actually received, when sent by email, when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited with postage prepaid in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United Kingdom Postal Service, when delivered by a nationally recognized express shipping company or upon receipt of a facsimile transmission confirmation.

 

4.3.

Titles.

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

 

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4.4.

Conformity to Applicable Laws.

Participant acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws and, to the extent Applicable Laws permit, will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws.

 

4.5.

Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Agreement and the Option will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, this Agreement will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

4.6.

Entire Agreement.

The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

4.7.

Agreement Severable.

In the event that any provision of the Grant Notice or this Agreement is held illegal or invalid, the provision will be severable from, and the illegality or invalidity of the provision will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Grant Notice or this Agreement.

 

4.8.

Limitation on Participant’s Rights.

Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and may not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. Participant will have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Option, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to the Option, as and when exercised pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

4.9.

Not a Contract of Employment.

Nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement confers upon Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or interferes with or restricts in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and Participant.

 

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4.10.

Counterparts.

The Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Laws, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one instrument.

 

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Summary of Restrictions

The Shares are subject to the following restrictions:

 

(a)

As set out in the Company’s Articles of Association in force from time to time (a current copy of which has been provided to you with this agreement), the Shares are subject to restrictions, including:

 

  1.

A liquidation preference which applies on a distribution of assets on a liquidation or a return of capital (other than a conversion, redemption or purchase of Shares) pursuant to Article 5;

 

  2.

Requirements as to the distribution of proceeds in certain exit events and corresponding restrictions of the registration of transfers pursuant to Article 6; and

 

  3.

Restrictions on, and other provisions relating to, transfers (including but not limited to a ‘drag-along’ provision) pursuant to articles 14 to 21.

 

(b)

such lock-up provisions as may be applicable to the Shares in connection with a future initial public offering of the Company.

 

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