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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

May 20, 2022

 

 

Arcellx, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-41259   47-2855917

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

25 West Watkins Mill Road, Suite A

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(240) 327-0603

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share   ACLX   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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

Emerging growth company  ☒

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

 

 

 


Item 5.02

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

(b)

The information set forth in Item 5.02(c) is incorporated herein by reference.

(c)

On May 20, 2022, Arcellx, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Michelle Gilson as its Chief Financial Officer, effective May 23, 2022 (the “Effective Date”). On the Effective Date, Lance Thibault, who has served as the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer since January 2022, will cease to be the interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Ms. Gilson has also been appointed as the Company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, effective as of the Effective Date, replacing Mr. Thibault in such capacities.

Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Gilson, age 30, served as a Managing Director at Canaccord Genuity, as a senior equity research analyst covering biotechnology companies. Prior to joining Canaccord Genuity in March 2018, she spent time at other equity research firms, including Jefferies LLC (September 2017-March 2018), Instinet LLC (December 2016-September 2017), Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (January 2015-November 2016), and Goldman Sachs (June 2014-January 2015), covering healthcare and biotechnology companies. Ms. Gilson holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.

In connection with her appointment, Ms. Gilson entered into an offer letter, dated April 3, 2022, effective May 23, 2022 (the “Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Ms. Gilson will receive an annual base salary of $420,000 and will be eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 40% of her annual base salary. Ms. Gilson will also be eligible to receive a relocation bonus in the net amount of $50,000 (meaning after the deduction of applicable employee withholding obligations), and monthly travel reimbursements through December 31, 2022 not to exceed a net amount of $5,000 per month or $35,000 in the aggregate (meaning after the deduction of applicable employee withholding obligations). Ms. Gilson will be eligible to participate in employee benefit plans generally available to other senior executives of the Company. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Ms. Gilson entered into the Company’s Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement upon commencement of his employment on the Effective Date.

In connection with her appointment and pursuant to the Employment Agreement, the compensation committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved a grant of an option (the “Option”) to purchase 103,515 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), of the Company under the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The shares of Common Stock underlying the Option will vest 25% on the one year anniversary of May 23, 2022 and 1/48 of the total shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall vest every month thereafter such that all shares subject to the Option will be fully vested on the four year anniversary of May 23, 2022, subject to Ms. Gilson continuing to be a “Service Provider” (as defined in the Plan) through the applicable vesting dates. In addition to the Option, the compensation committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved an award of 67,285 restricted stock units that would be settled in shares of Common Stock, that vests over three years in equal installments on each annual anniversary of May 23, 2022, subject to Ms. Gilson continuing to be a “Service Provider” (as defined in the Plan) through the applicable vesting dates.

In connection with her appointment, the Company will enter into a Change in Control and Severance Agreement with Ms. Gilson (the “Severance Agreement”). Pursuant to the Severance Agreement:

 

   

If, within the 3 month period prior to or the 24 month period following a “change in control” (as defined in the Severance Agreement), the Company terminates Ms. Gilson’s employment without “cause” (excluding death or disability) or Ms. Gilson resigns for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the Severance Agreement), and within 60 days following such termination, Ms. Gilson executes a waiver and release of claims in the Company’s favor that becomes effective and irrevocable, Ms. Gilson will be entitled to receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to the sum of 18 months of Ms. Gilson’s then current annual base salary and 150% of Ms. Gilson’s annual target bonus, less applicable withholdings, (ii) reimbursement of premiums to maintain group health insurance continuation benefits pursuant to “COBRA” for Ms. Gilson and her respective eligible dependents for up to 18 months, and (iii) vesting acceleration as to 100% of the then-unvested shares subject to each of Ms. Gilson’s then outstanding equity awards subject to time-based vesting conditions (and in the case of awards subject to performance-based vesting conditions, such awards will be treated as provided for in the applicable award agreement governing such award).


   

If, outside of the 3 month period prior to or the 24 month period following a “change in control”, we terminate the employment of Ms. Gilson without cause (excluding death or disability), and within 60 days following such termination, Ms. Gilson executes a waiver and release of claims in our favor that becomes effective and irrevocable, Ms. Gilson will be entitled to receive (i) a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of Ms. Gilson’s then current annual base salary, (ii) reimbursement of premiums to maintain group health insurance continuation benefits pursuant to “COBRA” for Ms. Gilson and her respective eligible dependents for up to 12 months, and (iii) a lump sum payment equal to Ms. Gilson’s annual target bonus, prorated by multiplying such amount by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is the number of days during which Ms. Gilson was employed with the Company in the calendar year that the termination occurs, and (y) the denominator of which is 365.

 

   

In the event any payment to Ms. Gilson would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”) as a result of a payment being classified as a parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code, Ms. Gilson will receive such payment as would entitle her to the greatest after-tax benefit, even if it means that the Company pays a lower aggregate payment so as to minimize or eliminate the potential excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code.

In connection with her appointment, the Company will enter into an indemnification agreement with Ms. Gilson, which will be in substantially the same form as entered into with other officers of the Company.

Ms. Gilson has no family relationships with any of the Company’s directors or executive officers, and she has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

The foregoing description of the material terms of the Employment Agreement and the Severance Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Employment Agreement and the Severance Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2 hereto, respectively.

 

Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure.

On May 23, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing Ms. Gilson’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 7.01 disclosure.

The information referenced under Item 7.01 (including Exhibit 99.1 referenced in Item 9.01 below) of this Current Report shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing to this Current Report. This Current Report shall not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information in the Current Report that is required to be disclosed solely by Regulation FD.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.1    Employment Agreement Between the Company and Michelle Gilson
10.2    Change in Control and Severance Agreement between the Company and Michelle Gilson
99.1    Press Release, dated May 23, 2022.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document)


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    ARCELLX, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Rami Elghandour

      Rami Elghandour
      Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 23, 2022      

Exhibit 10.1

 

LOGO

25 West Watkins Mill Road, Suite A

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

April 1, 2022

Michelle Gilson

[phone number and email address redacted]

Via E-Mail

Dear Michelle,

I am pleased to offer you a position with Arcellx, Inc. (the “Company”), as the Chief Financial Officer reporting to the Chief Executive Officer or their designee. The position is based in our Bay Area, California office. If you decide to join us, your employment will commence on a mutually agreeable starting date on or before May 23, 2022, and your actual start date with the Company will be considered the “Effective Date” for purposes of this offer letter agreement. You will need to relocate no later than September 1, 2022. Please note that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company will continue to extend this offer pursuant to the terms and conditions of this letter even if your current employer refuses to waive any garden leave or other notice requirement in its favor as provided for in any offer letter or other service agreement between you and your current employer.

You will receive an annual base salary of $420,000 (the “Base Salary”), which will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and be subject to the usual, required withholdings. Your Base Salary will be subject to review and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s normal performance review practices.

You will be eligible to earn an annual bonus of up to 40% of your Base Salary payments during the applicable bonus plan year, upon achievement of performance objectives to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) in its sole discretion (the “Target Bonus”). The Target Bonus, or any portion thereof, will be paid, less applicable withholdings, as soon as practicable after the Board determines that the Target Bonus has been earned, but in no event shall the Target Bonus be paid after the later of (i) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the close of the Company’s fiscal year (which currently is December 31st) in which the Target Bonus is earned or (ii) March 15 following the calendar year in which the Target Bonus is earned. Any bonuses will be subject to your continued employment with the Company through the date the bonus is earned. For the avoidance of doubt, any Target Bonus you may receive with respect to the Company’s 2022 fiscal year will not be prorated as a result of the Effective Date occurring after January 1, 2022.


The Company shall pay you a one-time Relocation Bonus (the “Relocation Bonus”) in the net amount of $50,000 (meaning after the deduction of applicable employee withholding obligations) within thirty (30) days of commencement of your employment with the Company, provided you remain an employee of the Company on the date the Relocation Bonus is paid. The Company also agrees to reimburse you for the cost of temporary housing in the Bay Area and the services of a destination vendor who can assist you with the relocation process for a period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on December 31, 2022; such reimbursements not to exceed a net amount of $5,000 per month (meaning after the deduction of applicable employee withholding obligations) or a net amount of $35,000 in the aggregate (meaning after the deduction of applicable employee withholding obligations) (such reimbursements, the “Travel Reimbursements”). The Travel Reimbursements will be paid, less applicable withholdings, in the time frame specified by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) unless another time frame that complies with or is exempt from Section 409A is specified in the Company’s expense reimbursement policy, provided that, to the extent required by Section 409A, you must remain an employee of the Company on the date(s) the Travel Reimbursements are paid to you in order to receive them. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you agree to repay the Company one hundred percent (100%) of the total amount of the Relocation Bonus and Travel Reimbursements (as calculated on a pre-tax basis) if you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Company prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and you agree to repay the Company fifty percent (50%) of the total amount of the Signing bonus, Relocation Bonus, and Travel Reimbursements (as calculated on a pre-tax basis) if you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Company after the first anniversary of the Effective Date, but prior to the second anniversary. Any such repayment shall be made within thirty (30) days after your last date of employment with the Company.

If you decide to join the Company, the Company shall recommend that the Board or a designated committee of the Board grant to you the following:

 

  1.

An award of 67,285 restricted stock units that would be settled in shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “RSU Award”). We anticipate that the RSU Award will have an approximate value of $1,125,000 based on a grant formula determined by the Board and certain assumptions in place as of the date of this letter. The RSU Award will be issued pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Arcellx, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and a restricted stock unit award agreement thereunder to be entered into between you and the Company. Subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreement, your RSU Award will vest over three (3) years with a cliff vest every twelve (12) months following the applicable vesting commencement date, subject to you continuing to be a Service Provider (as defined in the Plan) through each vesting date.

 

  2.

An option to purchase 103,515 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Option”). We anticipate that the Option will have an approximate value of $1,125,000 based on a grant formula determined by the Board and certain assumptions in place as of the date of this letter. The Option will be issued pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan and an option agreement thereunder to be entered into between you and the Company. Subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreement, your Option will vest over four (4) years, with 25% of the shares subject to the Option cliff vesting on the one (1) year anniversary of the vesting commencement date and one forty-eighth (1/48th) of the shares subject to the Option vesting each month thereafter, subject to you continuing to be a Service Provider (as defined in the Plan) through each vesting date.

If you accept this offer of employment, from and after the Effective Date, you will be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plans hereafter maintained by the Company of general applicability to other senior executives of the Company, including, without limitation, any group medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance plans maintained by the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time. You will participate in the Company’s “Flexible Time Away Policy” which provides you with unlimited paid time off for vacation, personal and short-term sick leave. The Company also has a separate holiday schedule that is published at the beginning of each calendar year.


The Company is excited about your joining and looks forward to a beneficial and productive relationship. Nevertheless, you should be aware that your employment with the Company is for no specified period and constitutes at-will employment. As a result, you are free to resign at any time, for any reason or for no reason. Similarly, the Company is free to conclude its employment relationship with you at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. We request that, in the event of resignation, you give the Company at least two weeks’ notice.

The Company reserves the right to conduct background investigations and/or reference checks on all its potential employees. Your job offer, therefore, is contingent upon a clearance of such a background investigation and/or reference check, if any.

For purposes of federal immigration law, you will be required to provide to the Company documentary evidence of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States. Such documentation must be provided to us within three (3) business days of your date of hire, or our employment relationship with you may be terminated.

We also ask that, if you have not already done so, you disclose to the Company all agreements relating to your prior employment that may affect your eligibility to be employed by the Company or limit the manner in which you may be employed. It is the Company’s understanding that any such agreements will not prevent you from performing the duties of your position and you represent that such is the case. Moreover, you agree that, during the term of your employment with the Company, you will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting, or other business activity directly related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of your employment, nor will you engage in any other activities that conflict with your obligations to the Company. Similarly, you agree not to bring any third-party confidential information to the Company, including that of your former employer, and that in performing your duties for the Company you will not in any way utilize any such information.

As a Company employee, you will be expected to abide by the Company’s rules and standards. Furthermore, as a condition of your employment, you are also required to sign and comply with an At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment and Arbitration Agreement (the “Confidentiality Agreement”) which requires, among other provisions, the assignment of patent rights to any invention made during your employment at the Company, and non-disclosure of Company proprietary information. In the event of any dispute or claim relating to or arising out of our employment relationship, you and the Company agree that (i) any and all disputes between you and the Company shall be fully and finally resolved by binding arbitration, (ii) you are waiving any and all rights to a jury trial but all court remedies will be available in arbitration, (iii) all disputes shall be resolved by a neutral arbitrator who shall issue a written opinion, (iv) the arbitration shall provide for adequate discovery, and (v) the Company shall pay all the arbitration fees, except an amount equal to the filing fees you would have paid had you filed a complaint in a court of law. Please note that we must receive your signed Confidentiality Agreement before your first day of employment.

To accept the Company’s offer, please sign and date this letter in the space provided below on or before April 8, 2022. This offer letter, along with any agreements relating to proprietary rights between you and the Company, set forth the terms of your employment with the Company and supersede any prior representations or agreements including, but not limited to, any representations made during your recruitment, interviews or pre-employment negotiations, whether written or oral. This offer letter, including, but not limited to, its at-will employment provision, may not be modified or amended except by a written agreement signed by the Chief Executive Officer and you.

 


We look forward to your favorable reply and to working with you at the Company.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Rami Elghandour

Rami Elghandour
Chief Executive Officer

 

Agreed to and accepted:
Signature: /s/ Michelle Gilson
Printed Name: Michelle Gilson

Date: 4/6/2022

Exhibit 10.2

ARCELLX, INC.

CHANGE IN CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

This Change in Control and Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made between Arcellx, Inc. (the “Company”) and Michelle Gilson (the “Executive”), effective as of the date on which Executive commences employment with the Company (the “Effective Date”).

This Agreement provides certain protections to the Executive in connection with a change in control of the Company or in connection with the involuntary termination of the Executive’s employment under the circumstances described in this Agreement.

The Company and the Executive agree as follows:

1. Term of Agreement. This Agreement will continue indefinitely until terminated by written consent of the parties hereto, or if earlier, upon the date that all of the obligations of the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement have been satisfied.

2. At-Will Employment. The Company and the Executive acknowledge that the Executive’s employment is and will continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law.

3. Severance Benefits.

(a) Qualifying Non-CIC Termination. On a Qualifying Non-CIC Termination (as defined below), the Executive will be eligible to receive the following payments and benefits from the Company:

(i) Salary Severance. A single, lump sum payment equal to twelve (12) months of the Executive’s Salary, less applicable withholdings.

(ii) COBRA Coverage. Subject to Section 3(d), the Company will pay the premiums for coverage under COBRA (as defined below) for the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents, if any, at the rates then in effect, subject to any subsequent changes in rates that are generally applicable to the Company’s active employees (the “COBRA Coverage”), until the earliest of (A) a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the Executive’s termination of employment, (B) the date upon which the Executive (and the Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable) becomes covered under similar plans, or (C) the date upon which the Executive ceases to be eligible for coverage under COBRA.

(iii) Prorated Bonus Severance. A single, lump sum payment equal to Executive’s Target Bonus, prorated by multiplying such amount by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is the number of days during which Executive was employed with the Company in the calendar year that the Qualifying Non-CIC Termination occurs, and (y) the denominator of which is three hundred and sixty-five (365).


(b) Qualifying CIC Termination. On a Qualifying CIC Termination, the Executive will be eligible to receive the following payments and benefits from the Company:

(i) Salary Severance. A single, lump sum payment equal to the sum of eighteen (18) months of the Executive’s Salary and 150% of Executive’s Target Bonus, less applicable withholdings.

(ii) COBRA Coverage. Subject to Section 3(d), the Company will provide COBRA Coverage until the earliest of (A) a period of eighteen (18) months from the date of the Executive’s termination of employment, (B) the date upon which the Executive (and the Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable) becomes covered under similar plans, or (C) the date upon which the Executive ceases to be eligible for coverage under COBRA.

(iii) Equity Vesting Acceleration. Vesting acceleration (and exercisability, as applicable) as to 100% of the then-unvested shares subject to each of the Executive’s then-outstanding compensatory equity awards issued by the Company that are subject to time-based vesting conditions. In the case of an equity award subject to performance-based vesting conditions, such equity award will be treated as set forth in the applicable agreement evidencing such equity award.

(c) Termination Other Than a Qualifying Termination. If the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company Group is not a Qualifying Termination, then the Executive will not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits.

(d) Conditions to Receipt of COBRA Coverage. The Executive’s receipt of COBRA Coverage is subject to the Executive electing COBRA continuation coverage within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA for the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents, if any. If the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the COBRA Coverage without potentially violating, or being subject to an excise tax under, applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then in lieu of any COBRA Coverage, the Company will provide to the Executive a taxable monthly payment payable on the last day of a given month (except as provided by the immediately following sentence), in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that the Executive would be required to pay to continue his or her group health coverage in effect on the date of his or her Qualifying Termination (which amount will be based on the premium rates applicable for the first month of COBRA Coverage for the Executive and any of eligible dependents of the Executive) (each, a “COBRA Replacement Payment”), which COBRA Replacement Payments will be made regardless of whether the Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage and will end on the earlier of (x) the date upon which the Executive obtains other employment or (y) the date the Company has paid an amount totaling the number of COBRA Replacement Payments equal to the number of months in the applicable COBRA Coverage period. For the avoidance of doubt, the COBRA Replacement Payments may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to any applicable withholdings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if the Company determines in its sole discretion at any time that it cannot provide the COBRA Replacement Payments without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Executive will not receive the COBRA Replacement Payments or any further COBRA Coverage.

 

- 2 -


(e) Non-Duplication of Payment or Benefits. For purposes of clarity, in the event of a Qualifying Pre-CIC Termination, any severance payments and benefits to be provided to the Executive under Section 3(b) will be reduced by any amounts that already were provided to the Executive under Section 3(a). Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is entitled to any cash severance, continued health coverage benefits, or vesting acceleration of any equity awards (other than under this Agreement) by operation of applicable law or under a plan, policy, contract, or arrangement sponsored by or to which any member of the Company Group is a party (“Other Benefits”), then the corresponding severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be reduced by the amount of Other Benefits paid or provided to the Executive.

(f) Death of the Executive. In the event of the Executive’s death before all payments or benefits the Executive is entitled to receive under this Agreement have been provided, the unpaid amounts will be provided to the Executive’s designated beneficiary, if living, or otherwise to the Executive’s personal representative in a single lump sum as soon as possible following the Executive’s death.

(g) Transfer Between Members of the Company Group. For purposes of this Agreement, if the Executive is involuntarily transferred from one member of the Company Group to another, the transfer will not be a termination without Cause but may give the Executive the ability to resign for Good Reason.

(h) Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company Group, the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which the Executive may otherwise be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract, or in equity. The Executive will be entitled to no benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon termination of employment other than those benefits expressly set forth in this Agreement.

4. Accrued Compensation. On any termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company Group, the Executive will be entitled to receive all accrued but unpaid vacation, expense reimbursements, wages, and other benefits due to the Executive under any Company-provided plans, policies, and arrangements.

5. Conditions to Receipt of Severance.

(a) Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The Executive’s receipt of any severance payments or benefits upon the Executive’s Qualifying Termination under Section 3 is subject to the Executive signing and not revoking the Company’s then-standard separation agreement and release of claims (which may include an agreement not to disparage any member of the Company Group, non-solicit provisions, an agreement to assist in any litigation matters, and other standard terms and conditions) (the “Release” and that requirement, the “Release Requirement”), which must become effective and irrevocable no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following the Executive’s Qualifying Termination (the “Release Deadline”). If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline, the Executive will forfeit any right to severance payments or benefits under Section 3.

 

- 3 -


(b) Payment Timing. Any lump sum payments under Sections 3(a) and 3(b) will be provided on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable (the “Severance Start Date”), subject to any delay required by Section 5(d) below. Any taxable installments of any COBRA-related severance benefits that otherwise would have been made to the Executive on or before the Severance Start Date will be paid on the Severance Start Date, and any remaining installments thereafter will be provided as specified in the Agreement. Any restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, and/or similar full value awards that accelerate vesting under Section 3 will be settled, as applicable (x) on a date no later than ten (10) days following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable, or (y) if later, in the event of a Qualifying Pre-CIC Termination, on a date no later than the Change in Control.

(c) Return of Company Property. The Executive’s receipt of any severance payments or benefits upon the Executive’s Qualifying Termination under Section 3 is subject to the Executive returning all documents and other property provided to the Executive by any member of the Company Group (with the exception of a copy of the Company employee handbook and personnel documents specifically relating to the Executive), developed or obtained by the Executive in connection with his or her employment with the Company Group, or otherwise belonging to the Company Group.

(d) Section 409A. The Company intends that all payments and benefits provided under this Agreement or otherwise are exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any guidance promulgated under Section 409A of the Code (collectively, “Section 409A”) so that none of the payments or benefits will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities in this Agreement will be interpreted in accordance with this intent. No payment or benefits to be paid to the Executive, if any, under this Agreement or otherwise, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits that are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Payments”) will be paid or otherwise provided until the Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. If, at the time of the Executive’s termination of employment, the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A, then the payment of the Deferred Payments will be delayed to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, which generally means that the Executive will receive payment on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day following the Executive’s termination of employment. The Company reserves the right to amend this Agreement as it considers necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of the Executive or any other individual, to comply with any provision required to avoid the imposition of the additional tax imposed under Section 409A or to otherwise avoid income recognition under Section 409A prior to the actual payment of any benefits or imposition of any additional tax. Each payment, installment, and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). In no event will any member of the Company Group reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless the Executive for any taxes, penalties and interest that may be imposed, or other costs that may be incurred, as a result of Section 409A.

(e) Resignation of Officer and Director Positions. The Executive’s receipt of any severance payments or benefits upon the Executive’s Qualifying Termination under Section 3 is subject to the Executive resigning from all officer and director positions with all members of the Company Group and the Executive executing any documents the Company may require in connection with the same.

 

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6. Limitation on Payments.

(a) Reduction of Severance Benefits. If any payment or benefit that the Executive would receive from any Company Group member or any other party whether in connection with the provisions in this Agreement or otherwise (the “Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Payment will be equal to the Best Results Amount. The “Best Results Amount” will be either (x) the full amount of the Payment or (y) a lesser amount that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of those amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting parachute payments is necessary so that the Payment equals the Best Results Amount, reduction will occur in the following order: (A) reduction of cash payments in reverse chronological order (that is, the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the Excise Tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced); (B) cancellation of equity awards that were granted “contingent on a change in ownership or control” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code in the reverse order of date of grant of the awards (that is, the most recently granted equity awards will be cancelled first); (C) reduction of the accelerated vesting of equity awards in the reverse order of date of grant of the awards (that is, the vesting of the most recently granted equity awards will be cancelled first); and (D) reduction of employee benefits in reverse chronological order (that is, the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the Excise Tax will be the first benefit to be reduced). In no event will the Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of Payment reductions. The Executive will be solely responsible for the payment of all personal tax liability that is incurred as a result of the payments and benefits received under this Agreement, and the Executive will not be reimbursed, indemnified, or held harmless by any member of the Company Group for any of those payments of personal tax liability.

(b) Determination of Excise Tax Liability. Unless the Company and the Executive otherwise agree in writing, the Company will select a professional services firm (the “Firm”) to make all determinations required under this Section 6, which determinations will be conclusive and binding upon the Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 6, the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm reasonably may request in order to make determinations under this Section 6. The Company will bear the costs and make all payments for the Firm’s services in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 6. The Company will have no liability to the Executive for the determinations of the Firm.

7. Definitions. The following terms referred to in this Agreement will have the following meanings:

(a) “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

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(b) “Cause” means

(i) Executive’s material breach of any of Executive’s obligations to the Company or any other member of the Company Group under the terms of Executive’s offer letter or employment agreement with the Company or the Confidentiality Agreement;

(ii) Executive’s gross negligence or willful failure or refusal to perform Executive’s duties;

(iii) any material act of personal dishonesty taken by the Executive and intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of the Executive at the expense of the Company or any other member of the Company Group;

(iv) any willful or intentional act by the Executive that could reasonably be expected to injure the reputation, business or business relationships of the Company or any other member of the Company Group;

(v) perpetration by the Executive of an intentional and knowing fraud against or affecting the Company or any other member of the Company Group or any customer, supplier, client, agent or employee thereof; or

(vi) Executive’s conviction of a felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude;

provided that, with respect to any of the foregoing, the Board shall be required to give the Executive written notice of any termination for “Cause” with a detailed description of the alleged conduct constituting Cause, and the Executive shall be given an opportunity, together with legal counsel, to be heard before the Board within a reasonable period after receipt of such notice, together with a thirty (30) day ability to cure any such conduct, unless such conduct is non-curable.

(c) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than fifty (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection, (A) the acquisition of additional stock by any one Person, who is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change in Control, and (B) if the stockholders of the Company immediately before such change in ownership continue to retain immediately after the change in ownership, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to the change in ownership, the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company or of the ultimate parent entity of the Company, such event will not be considered a Change in Control under this subsection (i). For this purpose, indirect beneficial ownership will include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities; or

 

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(ii) A change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by members of the Board whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For purposes of this subsection (ii), if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or

(iii) A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than fifty (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (iii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (iii)(B)(3). For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

For purposes of this definition, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.

Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

(d) “Change in Control Period” means the period beginning three (3) months prior to a Change in Control and ending twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control.

(e) “COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

 

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(f) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(g) “Company Group” means the Company and any subsidiaries of the Company.

(h) “Confidentiality Agreement” means the At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment, and Arbitration Agreement between the Company and the Executive.

(i) “Disability” means a total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(j) “Good Reason” means the Executive’s resignation within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any Company cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without the Executive’s consent: (i) a material reduction of the Executive’s authority, title, duties or responsibilities relative to the Executive’s authority, title, duties or responsibilities immediately prior to the reduction; (ii) a reduction by the Company (or its successor) in the Executive’s annual base salary or target bonus, each as in effect immediately prior to such reduction, unless the Company also similarly reduces the annual rate of base cash compensation or annual incentive bonus targets of all other similarly situated employees of the Company; (iii) a material breach by the Company of this Agreement or any other material agreement between the Company and the Executive; or (iv) a material change in the geographic location of the Executive’s primary work facility or location; provided, that a relocation of less than fifty (50) miles from the Executive’s then-present location will not be considered a material change in geographic location. The Executive may not resign for Good Reason without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days after Executive first learns of the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a reasonable cure period of thirty (30) days following the date the Company receives such notice during which such condition must not have been cured.

(k) “Qualifying Pre-CIC Termination” means a Qualifying CIC Termination that occurs prior to the date of the Change in Control.

(l) “Qualifying Termination” means (i) outside of the Change in Control Period, a termination of the Executive’s employment by a Company Group member without Cause (excluding by reason of Executive’s death or Disability) (a “Qualifying Non-CIC Termination”) or (ii) during the Change in Control Period, a termination of the Executive’s employment either (A) by a Company Group member without Cause (excluding by reason of Executive’s death or Disability) or (B) by the Executive for Good Reason (a “Qualifying CIC Termination”).

(m) “Salary” means the Executive’s annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Executive’s Qualifying Termination (or if the Qualifying Termination is due to a resignation for Good Reason based on a material reduction in base salary, then the Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the reduction) or, if the Executive’s Qualifying Termination is a Qualifying CIC Termination and the amount is greater, at the level in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.

 

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(n) “Target Bonus” means Executive’s annual (or annualized, as applicable) target bonus in effect immediately prior to Executive’s Qualifying Termination or, if Executive’s Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change in Control Period and the amount is greater, Executive’s annual (or annualized, if applicable) target bonus in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.

8. Successors. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the heirs, executors, and legal representatives of the Executive upon the Executive’s death, and (b) any successor of the Company. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger, or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company. None of the rights of the Executive to receive any form of compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of the Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits will be null and void.

9. Notice.

(a) General. All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and will be effectively given (i) upon actual delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) upon transmission by email, (iii) twenty-four (24) hours after confirmed facsimile transmission, (iv) one (1) business day after deposit with a recognized overnight courier, or (v) three (3) business days after deposit with the U.S. Postal Service by first class certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed (A) if to the Executive, at the address the Executive shall have most recently furnished to the Company in writing, (B) if to the Company, at the following address:

Arcellx, Inc.

800 Bridge Parkway

Redwood City, CA 94065

Attention: Chief People Officer

(b) Notice of Termination. Any termination by a Company Group member for Cause will be communicated by a notice of termination to the Executive, and any termination by the Executive for Good Reason will be communicated by a notice of termination to the Company, in each case given in accordance with Section 9(a) of this Agreement. The notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of the notice.

10. Resignation. The termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason will also constitute, without any further required action by the Executive, the Executive’s voluntary resignation from all officer and/or director positions held at any member of the Company Group, and at the Board’s request, the Executive will execute any documents reasonably necessary to reflect the resignations.

 

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11. Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a) No Duty to Mitigate. The Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any payment be reduced by any earnings that the Executive may receive from any other source except as specified in Section 3(e).

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

(c) Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

(d) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes in their entirety all prior representations, understandings, undertakings or agreements (whether oral or written and whether expressed or implied) of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any other employment letter or agreement, severance policy or program, or equity award agreement.

(e) Choice of Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to California’s conflicts of law rules that may result in the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than California. To the extent that any lawsuit is permitted under this Agreement, Employee hereby expressly consents to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in California for any lawsuit filed against the Executive by the Company.

(f) Arbitration. Any and all controversies, claims, or disputes with anyone under this Agreement (including the Company and any employee, officer, director, stockholder or benefit plan of the Company in their capacity as such or otherwise) arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the Executive’s employment with the Company Group, shall be subject to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement.

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

(h) Withholding. All payments and benefits under this Agreement will be paid less applicable withholding taxes. The Company is authorized to withhold from any payments or benefits all federal, state, local, and/or foreign taxes required to be withheld from the payments or benefits and make any other required payroll deductions. No member of the Company Group will pay the Executive’s taxes arising from or relating to any payments or benefits under this Agreement.

 

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

[Signature page follows.]

 

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By its signature below, each of the parties signifies its acceptance of the terms of this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer.

 

COMPANY       ARCELLX, INC.
      By: /s/ Rami Elghandour                                                             
      Title: Chief Executive Officer                                                     
      Date: May 23, 2022                                                                     
EXECUTIVE                                                                                                             
      Date: May 23, 2022                                                                     

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Arcellx Appoints Michelle Gilson as Chief Financial Officer

FOSTER CITY, Calif., May 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Arcellx, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACLX), a biotechnology company reimagining cell therapy through the development of innovative immunotherapies for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases, today announced the appointment of Michelle Gilson as Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Gilson joins Arcellx from Canaccord Genuity, where most recently she served as Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst covering biotechnology companies. Ms. Gilson will oversee the company’s finance function and will play a key role in overall corporate strategy.

“Michelle’s vision, leadership, and experience as a research analyst, which included covering companies in the oncology space, will be an invaluable addition to the existing breadth of talent on our management team,” said Rami Elghandour, Arcellx’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Michelle brings a depth of knowledge in capital markets and biotechnology and represents the values we look for in our leaders that made her an ideal fit for Arcellx. On behalf of our organization and Board of Directors, we welcome Michelle to our team. I look forward to the impactful role I know she will play as we continue towards our mission of bringing our cell therapy to market to help as many patients as possible.”

Most recently, Ms. Gilson served as a Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Canaccord Genuity, covering biotechnology companies. Prior to joining Canaccord, Ms. Gilson held biotechnology equity research roles at Jefferies, LLC; Instinet, LLC (Nomura Securities); Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.; and Goldman Sachs. Ms. Gilson earned her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.

About Arcellx, Inc.

Arcellx, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company reimagining cell therapy by engineering innovative immunotherapies for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases. Arcellx believes that cell therapies are one of the forward pillars of medicine and Arcellx’s mission is to advance humanity by developing cell therapies that are safer, more effective, and more broadly accessible. Arcellx’s lead product candidate, CART-ddBCMA, is being developed for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (r/r MM) in an ongoing Phase 1 study. CART-ddBCMA has been granted Fast Track, Orphan Drug, and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Arcellx is also advancing its dosable and controllable CAR-T therapy, ARC-SparX, through two programs: a Phase 1 study of ACLX-001 for r/r MM, initiated in the second quarter of 2022; and ACLX-002 in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, expected to enter the clinic in the second half of 2022.

Visit www.arcellx.com for more information.


Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon Arcellx’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including risks that may be found in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in documents that Arcellx files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Arcellx assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Contact:

Myesha Lacy

Arcellx, Inc.

ir@arcellx.com

510-418-2412

Media Contact

Andrea Cohen

Sam Brown Inc.

andreacohen@sambrown.com

917-209-7163