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 14, 2019

 

PROPANC BIOPHARMA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   000-54878   33-0662986
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 

(Commission

File Number)

  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

302, 6 Butler Street

Camberwell, VIC, 3124 Australia

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

61 03 9882 6723

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

n/a

(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))

 

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 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

James Nathanielsz’s Amended and Restated Employment Agreement

 

On May 14, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), Propanc Biopharma, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with James Nathanielsz, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman acting Chief Financial Officer and a director, for a term of three years (the “Term”), subject to automatic one-year renewals, at an annual salary of $400,000 AUD. Mr. Nathanielsz is also eligible to earn an annual fiscal year cash performance bonus for each fiscal year of his employment period with the Company in accordance with the Company’s annual bonus plan applicable to the Company’s senior executives. Mr. Nathanielsz’s “target” performance bonus shall be 200% of his average annualized base salary during the fiscal year for which the performance bonus is earned. Mr. Nathanielsz was also granted options (the “Nathanielsz Options”) to purchase 19,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), with an exercise price per share equal to 110% of the closing market price of the Common Stock on the date of approval of such grant by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), (ii) 19,500,000 restricted stock units of the Company (the “Initial Nathanielsz RSUs”), and (iii) an additional 19,500,000 restricted stock units of the Company (the “Additional Nathanielsz RSUs” and together with the Initial Nathanielsz RSUs, the “Nathanielsz RSUs”). The Nathanielsz Options and the Nathanielsz RSUs were granted pursuant to the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) approved by the Board on the Effective Date. The Nathanielsz Options have a term of 10 years from the date of grant. 1/3 rd of the Nathanielsz Options shall vest every successive one-year anniversary following the Effective Date, provided, that on each such vesting date Mr. Nathanielsz is employed by the Company and subject to the other provisions of the Employment Agreement. The Initial Nathanielsz RSUs shall vest on the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date, subject to Mr. Nathanielsz’s continued employment with the Company through such vesting date. The Additional Nathanielsz RSUs will vest as follows, subject to Mr. Nathanielsz’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date: (i) 3,900,000 of the Additional Nathanielsz RSUs shall vest upon the Company submitting Clinical Trial Application (the “CTA”) for PRP, the Company’s lead product candidate (“PRP”), for a First-In-Human study for PRP (the “Study”) in an applicable jurisdiction to be selected by the Company, (ii) 3,900,000 of the Additional Nathanielsz RSUs shall vest upon the CTA being approved in an applicable jurisdiction, (iii) 3,900,000 of the Additional RSUs shall vest upon the Company completing an equity financing in the amount of at least $4,000,000 in gross proceeds, (iv) 3,900,000 of the Additional Nathanielsz RSUs shall vest upon the shares of the Company’s Common Stock being listed on a senior stock exchange (NYSE, NYSEMKT or NASDAQ), and (v) the remaining 3,900,000 of the Additional Nathanielsz RSUs shall vest upon the Company enrolling its first patient in the Study. Each vested Nathanielsz RSU shall be settled by delivery to Mr. Nathanielsz of one share of Common Stock and/or the fair market value of one share of Common Stock in cash, at the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the Plan, on the first to occur of: (i) the date of a Change of Control (as defined in the Employment Agreement), (ii) the date that is ten business days following the vesting of such Nathanielsz RSU, (iii) the date of Mr. Nathanielsz’s death or Disability (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and (iv) Mr. Nathanielsz’s employment being terminated either by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Nathanielsz for Good Reason (each as defined in the Employment Agreement). In the event of a Change of Control, any unvested portion of the Nathanielsz Options and the Nathanielsz RSUs shall vest immediately prior to such event. Each Nathanielsz RSU grant will be evidenced by an award agreement that shall specify such other terms and conditions as the Board, in its sole discretion, will determine in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, including all terms, conditions and restrictions related to the grant and the form of payout, which, subject to the Plan, may be left to the discretion of the Board.

 

If Mr. Nathanielsz’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Nathanielsz for Good Reason (subject to the Company’s right to cure), he will be entitled to termination benefits, pursuant to which (x) the Company will be obligated to pay Mr. Nathanielsz certain accrued obligations, any unpaid Prior Year Bonus and any Pro Rata Bonus (each as defined in the Employment Agreement) for a period from the termination date through the lesser of 12 months or the period through and inclusive of the last day of the Term, (y) all of the unvested Nathanielsz Options and other equity awards (other than Nathanielsz RSUs) shall automatically accelerate and become vested and exercisable for a period of 6 months from the termination date or the date the award first becomes vested and exercisable, but in all events no later than the applicable term for each such award, and (z) all of the unvested Nathanielsz RSUs shall automatically and immediately become vested, as of the termination date, and such vested Nathanielsz RSUs shall be settled as set forth in the Employment Agreement, and all restrictions on such equity awards shall automatically and immediately lapse. The Employment Agreement contains customary restrictive covenants for the benefit of the Company, including a one-year non-compete provision, non-interference with the Company’s business after termination of employment and protection of the Company’s confidential information, certain customary representations and warranties and standard Company indemnification obligations.

 

The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

 

Julian Kenyon’s Amended and Restated Services Agreement

 

On the Effective Date, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Services Agreement (the “Services Agreement”) with Dr. Kenyon, the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer and a director, for a term of three years (the “Term”), subject to automatic one-year renewals, at an annual salary of $54,000 AUD. In connection with the execution of the Services Agreement, Dr. Kenyon was designated as an executive officer of the Company and assumed a more active executive role with the Company. Dr. Kenyon was also granted options (the “Kenyon Options”) to purchase 9,750,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, with an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the closing market price of the Common Stock on the date of approval of such grant by the Board, (ii) 9,750,000 restricted stock units of the Company (the “Initial Kenyon RSUs”), and (iii) an additional 9,750,000 restricted stock units of the Company (the “Additional Kenyon RSUs” and together with the Initial RSUs, the “Kenyon RSUs”). The Kenyon Options and the Kenyon RSUs were granted pursuant to the Plan. The Kenyon Options have a term of 10 years from the date of grant. 1/3 rd of the Kenyon Options shall vest every successive one-year anniversary following the Effective Date, provided, that on each such vesting date Dr. Kenyon is employed by the Company and subject to the other provisions of the Services Agreement. The Initial Kenyon RSUs shall vest on the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date, subject to Dr. Kenyon’s continued employment with the Company through such vesting date. The Additional Kenyon RSUs will vest as follows, subject to Dr. Kenyon’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date: (i) 2,437,500 of the Additional Kenyon RSUs shall vest upon the Company submitting the CTA for PRP for the Study in an applicable jurisdiction to be selected by the Company, (ii) 2,437,500 of the Additional Kenyon RSUs shall vest upon the Company completing an equity financing in the amount of at least $4,000,000 in gross proceeds, (iii) 2,437,500 of the Additional Kenyon RSUs shall vest upon the shares of the Company’s Common Stock being listed on a senior stock exchange (NYSE, NYSEMKT or NASDAQ), and (iv) the remaining 2,437,500 of the Additional Kenyon RSUs shall vest upon the Company enrolling its first patient in the Study. Each vested Kenyon RSU shall be settled by delivery to Mr. Kenyon of one share of Common Stock and/or the fair market value of one share of Common Stock in cash, at the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the Plan, on the first to occur of: (i) the date of a Change of Control (as defined in the Services Agreement), (ii) the date that is ten business days following the vesting of such Kenyon RSU, (iii) the date of Dr. Kenyon’s death or Disability (as defined in the Services Agreement), and (iv) Dr. Kenyon’s employment being terminated either by the Company without Cause or by Dr. Kenyon for Good Reason (as defined in the Services Agreement). In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the Services Agreement), 50% of any unvested portion of the Kenyon Options and the Kenyon RSUs shall vest immediately prior to such event. Each Kenyon RSU grant will be evidenced by an award agreement that shall specify such other terms and conditions as the Board, in its sole discretion, will determine in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, including all terms, conditions and restrictions related to the grant and the form of payout, which, subject to the Plan, may be left to the discretion of the Board.

 

If Dr. Kenyon’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Dr. Kenyon for Good Reason (each as defined in the Services Agreement, subject to the Company’s right to cure), he will be entitled to termination benefits, pursuant to which (x) the Company will be obligated to pay Dr. Kenyon certain accrued obligations and severance in the form of salary payments for a period of 12 months, (y) 50% of the unvested Kenyon Options and other equity awards (other than Kenyon RSUs) shall automatically accelerate and become vested and exercisable for a period of 3 months from the termination date or the date the award first becomes vested and exercisable, but in all events no later than the applicable term for each such award, and (z) 50% of the unvested Kenyon RSUs shall automatically and immediately become vested, as of the termination date, and such vested Kenyon RSUs shall be settled as set forth in the Services Agreement, and all restrictions on such equity awards shall automatically and immediately lapse. The Services Agreement contains customary restrictive covenants for the benefit of the Company, including a two-year non-compete provision, non-interference with the Company’s business after termination of employment and protection of the Company’s confidential information, certain customary representations and warranties and standard Company indemnification obligations.

 

The foregoing description of the Services Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The shares of the Company’s Common Stock underlying the Nathanielsz Options, the Kenyon Options and the Nathanielsz RSUs and the Kenyon RSUs, if any, will be issued in a private placement that will rely upon an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

(e) On the Effective Date, the Board adopted the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”), which reserves a total of 117,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock for issuance under the 2019 Plan. As described below, incentive awards authorized under the 2019 Plan include, but are not limited to, incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If an incentive award granted under the 2019 Plan expires, terminates, is unexercised or is forfeited, or if any shares are surrendered to us in connection with the exercise of an incentive award, the shares subject to such award and the surrendered shares will become available for further awards under the 2019 Plan.

 

 

 

 

Administration ― The Board of Directors will administer the 2019 Plan. Subject to the terms of the 2019 Plan, the Board of Directors has complete authority and discretion to determine the terms upon which awards may be granted under the 2019 Plan.

 

Grants ― The 2019 Plan authorizes the grant to participants of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance grants intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code and stock appreciation rights, as described below:

 

Options granted under the 2019 Plan entitle the grantee, upon exercise, to purchase up to a specified number of shares from us at a specified exercise price per share. The exercise price for shares of Common Stock covered by an option generally cannot be less than the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant unless agreed to otherwise at the time of the grant. In addition, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to an employee who, at the time the incentive stock option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary, the per share exercise price will be no less than 110% of the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant.
     
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units may be awarded on terms and conditions established by the compensation committee, which may include performance conditions for restricted stock awards and the lapse of restrictions on the achievement of one or more performance goals for restricted stock units.
     
The Board of Directors may make performance grants, each of which will contain performance goals for the award, including the performance criteria, the target and maximum amounts payable, and other terms and conditions.
     
The 2019 Plan authorizes the granting of stock awards. The Board of Directors will establish the number of shares of our common stock to be awarded (subject to the aggregate limit established under the 2019 Plan upon the number of shares of our common stock that may be awarded or sold under the 2019 Plan) and the terms applicable to each award, including performance restrictions.
     
Stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) entitle the participant to receive a distribution in an amount not to exceed the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the portion of the SAR exercised multiplied by the difference between the market price of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR and the market price of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the SAR.

 

Duration, Amendment, and Termination ― The Board of Directors has the power to amend, suspend or terminate the 2019 Plan without stockholder approval or ratification at any time or from time to time. No change may be made that increases the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to incentive awards or reduces the minimum exercise price for options or exchange of options for other incentive awards, unless such change is authorized by our stockholders within one year of such change. Unless sooner terminated, the 2019 Plan would terminate ten years after it is adopted.

 

As of the date of this Current Report, except as described above, no awards or any shares of Common Stock have been issued under the 2019 Plan.

 

In addition, the information set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

On the Effective Date, the Board approved a form of Indemnification Agreement (“Indemnification Agreement”) for each of its officers and directors. The Indemnification Agreement requires the Company to indemnify directors and officers and to advance expenses on behalf of such director or officer to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and establish the procedures by which a director or executive officer may request and receive indemnification. The Indemnification Agreement is in addition to other rights to which a director or officer may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and applicable law.

 

The foregoing description of the Indemnification Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of such agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1*   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2019, between the Company and James Nathanielsz.
10.2*   Amended and Restated Services Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2019, between the Company and Dr. Julian Kenyon.
10.3*   2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
10.4*   Form of Indemnification Agreement.

 

* Filed herewith

 

 

 

 

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.

 

  PROPANC BIOPHARMA, INC.
   
  By: /s/ James Nathanielsz
  Name:  James Nathanielsz
Dated: May 15, 2019 Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of May 14, 2019 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between Propanc Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and James Nathanielsz (“ Executive ”). The Company and Executive sometimes are referred to herein collectively as the “ Parties ” and each individually as a “ Party ”. This Agreement is intended to and hereby amends and restates in its entirety that certain Employment Agreement between the Parties entered into as of February 25, 2015, as amended on April 14, 2016 and September 25, 2017.

 

The Company and Executive, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1. Employment . On the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, the Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive accepts such employment with the Company.

 

2. Term . This Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date. The Company agrees to employ Executive in accordance herewith during the period starting on the Effective Date and ending on and inclusive of the date three (3) years thereafter, subject to any earlier termination of Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to Section 7. The period starting on the Effective Date and ending on and inclusive of the date three (3) years thereafter, regardless of any termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, is referred to herein as the “ Term ”. The period starting on the Effective Date and ending on and inclusive of the earlier of (a) the date three (3) years thereafter, and (b) the Termination Date (as defined in Section 8.1) is referred to herein as the “ Employment Period ”.

 

3. Position and Duties . The Company agrees that during the Employment Period:

 

3.1. Title; Reporting . The Company will employ Executive as the Chief Executive Officer (“ CEO ”) of the Company, and Executive shall report directly to the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”). The Executive shall also serve as a member of the Board and Chairman of the Board. In addition, Executive shall also assume the positions of the Chief Executive Officer of Propanc PTY LTD, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary formed under the laws of Australia (“ PTY ”).

 

3.2. Duties . During the Term of this Agreement, Executive will have the authority and responsibilities consistent with the position of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, subject to the reasonable direction and control of the Board. Executive shall perform all duties reasonably required of Executive in furtherance of Executive’s position as it relates to the Company’s business and the business of all of the Company’s Affiliates (as defined in Section 9.5.1) (the Company, together with all of its Affiliates, are referred to herein collectively as the “ Company Group ”). All duties assigned to Executive hereunder shall be consistent with the scope and dignity of his position.

 

 

 

 

3.3. Location . Executive’s principal place of business will be the Company’s principal executive offices located in the metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia area.

 

3.4. Confidentiality, Non-Interference and Invention Assignment . As a condition of employment, Executive shall execute and comply with the Confidentiality, Non-Interference and Invention Assignment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Confidentiality Agreement ”).

 

4. Services . During the Employment Period, Executive shall devote substantially all of Executive’s working time, attention, and efforts to the Company, excluding any periods for illness, incapacity, and vacations, subject to the policies established by the Board, except as otherwise specifically provided herein. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence or anything to the contrary contained herein, during the Employment Period Executive is permitted (a) to serve on the boards of directors, the boards of trustees, or any similar governing bodies, of any corporations or other business entities, of any charitable, educational, religious, or public service organizations, or of any trade associations, (b) to engage in charitable activities and community affairs, (c) to engage in venture investing, and (d) to manage Executive’s personal investments, in each case so long as such activities are disclosed to the Board, do not compete with the business of the Company Group, and do not interfere with Executive’s performance of this Agreement which shall take first priority over all other such activities as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that all such activities conducted by Executive as of the Effective Date (including all boards of directors on which Executive serves as of the Effective Date) which are listed in Schedule 1 to the Agreement, do not interfere with Executive’s performance of this Agreement and do not compete with the business of the Company.

 

5. Compensation .

 

5.1. Base Salary . During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Executive a cash base salary of $400,000 AUD per annum. During the Employment Period the Board shall review Executive’s annual cash base salary not less frequently than on an annual basis and may increase (but not decrease, including as it may be increased from time to time) such base salary. Executive’s annual cash base salary, as it may be increased from time to time, is referred to herein as the “ Base Salary .” The Company shall pay the Base Salary to Executive in accordance with the Company’s generally applicable payroll practices for senior executive officers, but not less frequently than in equal monthly installments.

 

2

 

 

5.2. Annual Performance Bonus . In addition to the Base Salary, Executive is eligible to earn an annual fiscal year cash performance bonus (a “ Performance Bonus ”) for each whole or partial fiscal year of the Employment Period in accordance with the Company’s annual bonus plan applicable to the Company’s senior executives (the “ Annual Plan ”). The fiscal year, as of the Effective Date, is July 1 to June 30). The Company agrees to establish, or cause the establishment of the Annual Plan during the Company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. Executive’s “target” Performance Bonus shall be two hundred percent (200%) of Executive’s average annualized Base Salary during the fiscal year for which the Performance Bonus is earned. Executive’s “target” Performance Bonus is referred to herein as the “ Target Bonus .” For each whole or partial fiscal year of the Employment Period occurring subsequent to the establishment of the Annual Plan, the Board shall meaningfully consult with Executive in connection with establishing the performance objectives for determining Executive’s Performance Bonus for the succeeding fiscal year, provided that the final determination shall remain in the complete and sole discretion of the Board.

 

The Company agrees that the performance objectives established under the Annual Plan for Executive will be no less favorable in the aggregate to Executive than the objectives established and used under the Annual Plan to determine the amount of the annual cash bonus payable to other similarly situated executive officers of the Company Group who participate in the Annual Plan. Except as otherwise provided herein: (i) depending on such performance in any particular whole or partial fiscal year, and on the criteria set forth in the Annual Plan, the actual amount of the Performance Bonus for that fiscal year may be less than, equal to, or greater than the Target Bonus; (ii) the Company shall pay each Performance Bonus to Executive at the same time that annual cash bonuses are paid to the other senior executive officers of the Company Group, but in no event later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the fourth month following the end of the applicable fiscal year for which the Performance Bonus is earned; and (iii) except as provided in Section 8, Executive shall not be entitled to receive any Performance Bonus if Executive is not employed on the final date of the applicable fiscal year for which such Performance Bonus has been established.

 

5.3. Initial Equity and Stock Options Grant . In addition to any other equity-based compensation or equity awards the Company grants to Executive on or after the Effective Date, the Company shall grant to Executive, as soon as practicable following the Effective Date, under the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”): (i) incentive stock options to purchase a total of nineteen million five hundred thousand (19,500,000) shares (collectively, the “ Options ”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “ Common Stock ”), with an exercise price per share equal to 110% of the closing market price of the Common Stock on the date of approval of such grant by the Board, (ii) nineteen million five hundred thousand (19,500,000) restricted stock units of the Company as the initial grant of restricted stock units (the “ Initial RSUs ”), and (iii) nineteen million five hundred thousand (19,500,000) restricted stock units of the Company as an additional grant of restricted stock units (the “ Additional RSUs ” and together with the Initial RSUs, the “ RSUs ”). The Options shall be issued pursuant to the Company’s standard form of Stock Options Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Board, in its sole discretion, will determine in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan. Each RSU grant will be evidenced by the Company’s standard form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Board, in its sole discretion, will determine in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, including all terms, conditions and restrictions related to the grant and the form of payout, which, subject to Section 9(d) of the Plan, may be left to the discretion of the Board. The Options shall be incentive stock options subject to the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders on or before 12 months from the date of its adoption by the Board, and if the Plan is not approved by the Company’s stockholders within such period, the Options shall be deemed nonqualified stock options. The Options shall vest as follows, provided that on each such vesting date Executive is employed by the Company, and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement: (i) the Options shall have a term of ten (10) years from the date of grant; (ii) one-third (1/3 rd ) of the Options shall vest every successive one-year anniversary following the Effective Date during the Term with the last one-third (1/3 rd ) vesting on the three-year anniversary of the Effective Date; and (iii) subject to Section 8, the vested Options shall be exercisable until at least three (3) months following any termination of this Agreement, but no later than the end of the applicable term for each such award. The Initial RSUs shall vest on the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through such vesting date. The Additional RSUs shall vest in accordance with the following milestone schedule (each such vesting date, a “ Vesting Date ”), subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable Vesting Date:

 

One-fifth (1/5 th ) of the Additional RSUs shall vest upon the Company submitting Clinical Trial Application (the “ CTA ”) for PRP, the Company’s lead product candidate (“ PRP ”), for a First-In-Human study for PRP (the “ Study ”) in an applicable jurisdiction selected by the Company;
     
One-fifth (1/5 th ) of the Additional RSUs shall vest upon the CTA being approved in an applicable jurisdiction;
     
One-fifth (1/5 th ) of the Additional RSUs shall vest upon the Company completing an equity financing in the amount of at least $4,000,000 in gross proceeds, including proceeds from a financing consummated in connection with the Company’s engagement letter with its placement agent existing on the Effective Date;
     
One-fifth (1/5 th ) of the Additional RSUs shall vest upon the Company’s shares of Common Stock being listed on a senior stock exchange (NYSE, NYSE MKT or NASDAQ); and
     
One-fifth (1/5 th ) of the Additional RSUs shall vest upon the Company enrolling its first patient in the Study.

 

3

 

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event of a “Change of Control” (as defined below) any unvested portion of the Options and RSUs shall vest immediately prior to such event. Each vested RSU shall be settled by delivery to Executive of one share of Common Stock and/or the fair market value of one share of common stock in cash, at the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the Plan, on the first to occur of: (i) the date of a Change of Control, (ii) the date that is ten (10) business days following the vesting date of such RSUs, (iii) the date of Executive’s death, provided such event occurs after the expiration of the Lock-up Period, and (iv) the date of Executive’s Disability (as defined below), provided such event occurs after the expiration of the Lock-up Period (in any case, the “ Settlement Date ”). Upon the Settlement Date, Executive shall be entitled, at his discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable law, to satisfy his tax obligations arising in connection with the settlement of his RSUs through the sale by Executive in the open market of a number of shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs up to the maximum applicable withholding rate. As permitted by law and subject to any required consents, on or before the Settlement Date, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to allow the Executive (and if permitted by the Company, other senior executives) to settle a number of RSUs sufficient to cover his employment tax obligation arising in connection with the settlement of his RSUs in the open market pursuant to such Form S-8 (the “ S-8 Settlement ”).

 

“Change of Control” shall have the meaning provided in the Plan, except that (i) for purposes of determining whether a Change of Control has occurred under this Agreement, the acquisition of additional stock and/or convertible securities by James Nathanielsz and/or his affiliates resulting in him and/or his affiliates beneficially owning more (or subsequently less) than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change of Control, and (ii) for purposes of the Options and the RSUs (and any other amounts payable on a Change of Control that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of the 409A Rules), a Change of Control shall only be deemed to occur if such transaction also constitutes a “change of control event” within the meaning of the 409A Rules. “Disability” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.3 below, except that for purposes of the Options and the RSUs (and any other amounts payable on a Disability that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of the 409A Rules), a Disability shall only exist if you are “disabled” within the meaning of the 409A Rules.

 

5.4. Tax Withholding . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable hereunder, including any amounts payable pursuant to this Article 5 or pursuant to Article 8, any applicable federal, state, and local taxes that the Company is required withhold pursuant to any applicable law.

 

5.5. Tax Payments from Equity Awards . In addition to any other bonus compensation afforded Executive hereunder, the Company shall annually issue bonus compensation to Executive in an amount equal to the aggregate of all taxes due upon the vesting of the Other Equity Awards, the Options and the RSUs . If the Company does not have sufficient working capital and/or funding capability to timely make the payments required under this subsection (defined as payment amount is more than 15% of Company’s treasury), the Company shall be entitled to make such payment in shares of common stock of the Company.

 

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6. Benefits; Perquisites; Expenses; Indemnification; Other .

 

6.1. Benefits . Except as otherwise agreed to by the Executive or elected by the Executive in any applicable voluntary election materials, Executive shall be eligible to participate in and shall receive all or comparable benefits under all welfare plans, pension plans, fringe benefit plans, other benefit plans, and all other arrangements, plans, policies, and programs in each case (w) that the Company makes available generally to the senior executives of the Company or of any other member of the Company Group, (x) that are sponsored or maintained by any member of the Company Group or to which any member of the Company Group contributes, (y) on a basis no less favorable than the basis as such arrangements, plans, policies, and programs are applicable or made available to the other senior executives of any member of the Company Group, and (z) whether now existing or established hereafter, including (a) all accidental death, business travel insurance, death benefits, dental, disability (including short-term disability and long-term disability), flexible spending accounts, health, hospitalization, life insurance, long term care, medical, prescription drug, salary continuation, sickness, surgical, vacation, vision, welfare, wellness, and similar arrangements, plans, policies, or programs, and (b) all change in control, deferred compensation, deferred stock unit, executive compensation, incentive (or other) bonus (whether short-term, long-term, or otherwise), other equity-based compensation, pension, profit sharing, restricted stock, restricted stock unit, retention, retirement, savings, stock appreciation right, stock option, stock purchase, supplemental retirement, and similar arrangements, plans, policies, and programs (collectively, the “ Benefit Plans ”).

 

6.2. Perquisites . Executive is entitled to receive such perquisites that the Company generally provides to its other senior executive officers in accordance with the then-current policies and practices of the Company.

 

6.3. Vacation . Executive is entitled to twenty (20) days of paid, exclusive of public holidays, for every twelve (12) months of continuous employment with the Company, taken in accordance with the generally applicable policies and procedures of the Company. Any unused annual leave will roll over from year to year.

 

6.4. Sick Leave . Executive is entitled to eight (8) days of paid sick during each calendar year, taken in accordance with the generally applicable policies and procedures of the Company.

 

6.5. Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave . Executive is entitled to all statutory entitlements in relation to maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

 

6.6. Business Expenses . The Company shall promptly pay or reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred or paid by Executive during the Term in the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, upon presentation of expense statements or vouchers and such other information as the Company may reasonably require and in accordance with the generally applicable policies and procedures of the Company.

 

6.7. Company Vehicle . Executive shall be paid an amount, to be determined by the Board, on a monthly basis for the purpose of acquiring and maintaining an automobile for Executive’s use. Such monthly amount may be adjusted as necessary to cover certain costs relating to the vehicle, including but not limited to, insurance, gas, repairs and parking.

 

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6.8. Indemnification .

 

(a) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against any and all expenses (including: attorneys’ fees, fees of experts, witness fees, fees of other professional advisors, other disbursements incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, appealing, or participating in a Proceeding (as hereinafter defined); bonds; all interest, assessments, and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of the foregoing; and any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes imposed on Executive as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments pursuant to this Section 6.8) (“ Expenses ”), demands, claims, damages, judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and all other liabilities incurred or paid by him, or on his behalf, in connection with the investigation, defense, prosecution, settlement or appeal(s) of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, or hearing (including any administrative hearing), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and to which Executive was or is a party or other participant or is threatened to be made a party or other participant (a “Proceeding”), or any claim, issue, or matter therein (including any Proceeding brought by or in the right of any member of the Company Group), by reason of or arising from the fact that Executive is or was a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or of any other member of the Company Group or, at the request of the Company, of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, or by reason of or arising from anything done or not done by Executive in any such capacity or capacities, (including any Proceeding, or any claim, issue, or matter therein, by reason of or arising from: any actual or alleged breach by Executive of his fiduciary duty as a director or officer of any member of the Company Group; the registration, purchase, sale, or ownership of any securities of the Company or any fiduciary obligation owed with respect thereto; or any misstatement or omission of material fact by the Company in violation of any duty of disclosure imposed on the Company by any federal, state, or foreign securities or common laws), provided that Executive acted in good faith and in a manner that was not grossly negligent and Executive reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or such other member of the Company Group, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Executive’s conduct was unlawful. Notwithstanding the foregoing, solely with respect to any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company, the Company is not obligated to so indemnify Executive in respect of any claim, issue, or matter in such Proceeding as to which Executive shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite such adjudication but in view of all the circumstances in the Proceeding, Executive is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for Expenses and such other amounts which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. The Company also shall pay any and all Expenses incurred by Executive as a result of Executive being called as a witness in connection with any matter involving the Company, any other member of the Company Group, or any of its or their respective officers or directors, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to pay for any such attorney’s fees if there is no appreciable risk of liability to Executive as a result of serving as such a witness, provided further that, in such event, the Company (at its expense) will provide Executive with reasonable access to the Company’s legal counsel for the sole purpose of advising Executive in connection Executive’s serving as such a witness. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company’s covenants and obligations under this Section 6.8 include indemnifying and holding harmless Executive against all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Executive in connection with, relating to, or arising from any Proceeding initiated by Executive or by any member of the Company Group to enforce or interpret this Section 6.8 or any rights of Executive to indemnification or advancement of Expenses (whether hereunder, under any other agreement, under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws (as now or hereafter in effect), under any applicable laws, or otherwise), or for recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by any member of the Company Group, in each case if, and only if Executive prevails with respect to any substantial issue or set of issues presented in such Proceeding.

 

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(b) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue, or matter therein, by judgment, order, or settlement, shall not create a presumption that Executive did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law.

 

(c) The Company shall pay any Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and other liabilities incurred by Executive in investigating, defending, settling or appealing any Proceeding described in this Section 6.8 in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding, as such Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and other liabilities come due. The Company shall promptly pay the amount of such Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and other liabilities to Executive, but, in respect of advances of Expenses, in no event later than ten (10) days following Executive’s delivery to the Company of a written request for an advance pursuant hereto, together with a reasonable accounting of such Expenses, and in respect of all other indemnification payments, in no event later than thirty (30) days following Executive’s delivery to Company of a written request therefor, together with such reasonable accounting or other applicable supporting information. Executive hereby undertakes and agrees to repay to the Company any advances made pursuant to this Section 6.8(c) within ten (10) days after an ultimate finding that Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company for such amounts. The Company shall make the advances contemplated by this Section 6.8(c) regardless of Executive’s financial ability to make repayment, and regardless whether indemnification of Executive by the Company will ultimately be required. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 6.8(c) shall be unsecured and interest-free.

 

(d) The Company agrees that during the Employment Period the Company will maintain in full force and effect directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that has a liability coverage for such amount as reasonably determined by the Board and comparable with other issuers similar to the size and industry of the Company.

 

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(e) The rights of Executive pursuant to this Section 6.8 shall be in addition to any other rights Executive may now or hereafter have under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws (as now or hereafter in effect), any agreement, any vote of stockholders or directors, applicable law, or otherwise. To the extent that a change in applicable law (whether by statute, judicial decision, or otherwise) permits greater indemnification that would be afforded currently under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, applicable law, any other agreement, or this Section 6.8, it is the intent of the Parties that Executive enjoy by this Section 6.8 the greater benefits so afforded by such change.

 

(f) No breach of this Agreement by Executive, in and of itself, shall relieve the Company from any of its obligations or covenants pursuant to this Section 6.8.

 

6.9 Lock-Up Period . Executive hereby agrees that if so requested by the Company or any representative of the Company’s underwriters or placement agents (collectively, the “ Managing Underwriter ”) in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), Executive shall not sell or otherwise transfer any shares or other securities of the Company during the 180-day period (or such longer period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter or placement agent and agreed to in writing by the Company) (the “ Market Standoff Period ”) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the Securities Act after the date hereof that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten or other public offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period and these restrictions shall be binding on any transferee of such shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 180-day period may be extended for up to such number of additional days as is deemed reasonably necessary by the Company and/or the Managing Underwriter agent to continue coverage by research analysts in accordance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor rule.

 

7. Termination of Employment .

 

7.1. Termination Notice . For the purposes hereof, the term “ Termination Notice ” means a written notice provided in accordance with Section 9.2 (x) by the Company, with respect to any termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 7.3, 7.4, or 7.5 or (y) by Executive with respect to any termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 7.6 or 7.7, as the case may be, that (a) indicates the specific provision of this Agreement relied upon for such termination, (b) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for the termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated, and (c) other than for a termination pursuant to Section 7.3, specifies the effective date of the termination, if such effective date is subsequent to the date of receipt of the notice. The failure by the Company or Executive, as the case may be, to set forth in a Termination Notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Cause (as defined in Section 7.4(a)) or Good Reason (as defined in Section 7.6) does not waive any right of the Company or Executive, respectively, hereunder, or preclude the Company or Executive, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing its or his rights hereunder.

 

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7.2. Termination Due to Death . The Executive’s employment with the Company hereunder terminates automatically upon the death of Executive during the Term.

 

7.3. Termination by Company Due to Disability.

 

(a) The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder due to Disability only if (i) a majority of the Board determine in good faith that a Disability of Executive has occurred (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth in Section 7.3(b), and (ii) subsequent (but not prior) to such determination the Company provides a Termination Notice to Executive. In such event, Executive’s employment with the Company terminates on the date (the “Disability Effective Date”) thirty (30) days after the date on which Executive (or Executive’s legal representative, if applicable) receives the Termination Notice, except that if Executive resumes the full-time performance of Executive’s duties on or before the Disability Effective Date, then the Termination Notice is of no force or effect, the Executive’s employment with the Company does not terminate on the Disability Effective Date, and the Company may not terminate Executive’s employment for Disability in that particular instance.

 

(b) For the purposes hereof, the term “Disability” means Executive’s inability to perform his duties with the Company on a full-time basis, even with reasonable accommodation, for sixty (60) days during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, or thirty (30) consecutive days, in each case solely as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness.

 

7.4. Termination by Company for Cause

 

(a) The Company may terminate Executive’s employment with the Company for Cause at any time by providing a Termination Notice and Board resolution described below to Executive, if the Company and the Board comply with all of the provisions of this Section 7.4:

 

(b) For the purposes hereof, “ Cause ” means:

 

(i) Executive’s conviction of a felony requiring intent under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or under the laws of Australia, after the exhaustion of all possible appeals, or Executive entering a plea of nolo contendere to any charge of a felony requiring intent under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or under the laws of Australia; or

 

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(ii) a willful and substantial refusal by Executive to perform duties or responsibilities reasonably assigned to Executive in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, excluding any such failure by reason of death, Disability, or incapacity; or

 

(iii) any material and willful violation of any written policy, standard or procedure of the Company or the laws, rules or regulations of any governmental or regulatory body or agency that are generally applicable to senior employees or officers of the Company and that results in a material negative effect on the business or financial condition of the Company; or

 

(iv) any act or omission that constitutes a material breach by Executive of any of his agreements or obligations under this Agreement that has a material negative effect on the business or financial condition of the Company; or

 

(v) Executive engaging in intentional acts of material fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, misconduct, gross negligence, dishonesty (including, without limitation, theft), violence, threat of violence, sexual misconduct, harassment or any other activity that has or could result in any material negative effect on the business or financial condition of the Company.

 

(c) For the purposes hereof: (i) any act or omission (including any refusal or violation) by Executive is “willful” only if the same is not in good faith and is without the reasonable belief by Executive that such act or omission is in the best interests of the Company; and (ii) any act or omission by Executive based upon any authority granted pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company in each case is presumed to be in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.

 

(d) With respect to clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of Section 7.4(b), “ Cause ” shall not exist unless (i) the Company, on or before the date one hundred eighty (180) days after the first date on which any member of the Board has knowledge of the act or omission alleged to constitute Cause, provides written notice to Executive informing Executive of the Company’s intention to consider terminating Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause and identifying the act or omission alleged to constitute Cause, and (ii) Executive fails to cure such act or omission (if capable of being cured) on or before the date fifteen (15) days after the date on which Executive receives such notice from the Company (such fifteen (15) day period, the “ Cause Cure Period ”).

 

7.5. Termination by Company Without Cause . The Company may terminate Executive’s employment with the Company Without Cause (as hereinafter defined) only by the Company providing a Termination Notice to Executive. For the purposes hereof, the term “Without Cause” means (a) without Cause, or (b) other than by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability.

 

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7.6. Termination by Executive for Good Reason .

 

(a) Executive may terminate his employment with the Company for Good Reason only by providing a Termination Notice to the Company on or before the date ninety (90) days after the date on which Executive becomes aware of the act or omission constituting Good Reason, which shall take effect only if the Company shall not cure such basis for Good Reason (if capable of being cured) within thirty (30) days following receipt of such Termination Notice and, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, termination shall be effective upon the expiration of such cure period, if applicable.

 

(b) For the purposes hereof, “Good Reason” means, without Executive’s written prior written consent:

 

(i) any reduction in Executive’s then-current Base Salary or then-current Target Bonus;

 

(ii) any material breach of this Agreement by the Company;

 

(iii) the Company relocating Executive’s principal place of business more than fifty (50) kilometers outside of the center of the City of Camberwell, VIC, Australia;

 

(iv) any occurrence of a Change of Control;

 

(v) the Company’s failure to obtain an agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place, except where such assumption occurs by operation of law; or

 

(vi) the Company’s failure to have Executive elected and re-elected to the Board, as applicable, until such time as Executive determines to voluntary to resign or no longer stand for re-election to the Board.

 

7.7. Termination by Executive Without Good Reason . Executive may terminate Executive’s employment with the Company without Good Reason by providing a Termination Notice to the Company that specifies an effective date that is not less than thirty (30) days after the date on which Executive provides the Termination Notice to the Company. The Company, after its receipt of the Termination Notice, may elect to accelerate such effective date by providing Executive with written notice of such acceleration, and in such event the Termination Notice shall be effective as of the date specified in the Company’s acceleration notice, and such acceleration, in and of itself, shall not constitute a termination of Executive’s employment hereunder by the Company with or without Cause.

 

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8. Consequences of Termination .

 

8.1. Certain Defined Terms . As used herein:

 

Accrued Obligations ” means the aggregate of: (a) Executive’s accrued Base Salary through and inclusive of the Termination Date (disregarding any reduction thereto in violation of this Agreement); (b) Executive’s accrued vacation pay through and inclusive of the Termination Date; and (c) Executive’s business expenses incurred through and inclusive of the Termination Date that have not been reimbursed by the Company as of the Termination Date.

 

eligible dependent ” includes Executive’s spouse (or widow).

 

Other Benefits ” means all benefits, compensation, and rights, whether accrued, earned, or vested, to which Executive is entitled as of the Termination Date under the terms and conditions applicable to such benefits, compensation, and rights, including death benefits, disability benefits, and all other benefits, compensation, and rights pursuant to any of the Benefit Plans (including vested stock options, restricted shares, restricted stock units).

 

Other Equity Awards ” means all equity compensation or other equity awards granted by the Company to Executive on or after the Effective Date (including restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, and stock options), excluding the Options and the RSUs.

 

Prior Year Bonus ” means Executive’s Performance Bonus earned for the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs, if such Performance Bonus has not been paid as of the Termination Date.

 

Pro Rata Bonus ” means an amount equal to the product of (a) one hundred percent (100%) of the Target Bonus for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs, multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed through and inclusive of the Termination Date in the fiscal year in which Executive’s employment is terminated, and the denominator of which is 365.

 

Termination Date ” means (a) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death: the date of the Executive’s death; (b) if Executive’s employment is terminated for Disability: the Disability Effective Date; (c) if Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date of Executive’s “separation from service” as such term is defined under Section 409A (“Section 409A” is defined in Section 8.8).

 

Unvested Equity ” means the portion of the Options, the RSUs and the Other Equity Awards that is unvested as of the Termination Date, after taking into account any acceleration of vesting based on the prior occurrence of any acceleration events specified hereunder.

 

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8.2. Death or Disability . If Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s death or due to Executive’s Disability, then, Executive (or Executive’s beneficiary or estate) is entitled to receive and shall be paid by the Company, subject to compliance with Section 8.6 and Exhibit A :

 

(a) The aggregate of the following, in a single lump sum, through the Termination Date: (i) the Accrued Obligations, (ii) any unpaid Prior Year Bonus, if any, and (iii) the Pro Rata Bonus; and

 

(b) The timely payment or timely provision of the Other Benefits in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Benefit Plan.

 

All Unvested Equity shall be forfeited as of the Termination Date.

 

8.3. Termination by the Company for Cause; Termination by Executive without Good Reason . If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by Executive without Good Reason, then Executive is entitled to receive or otherwise to be provided, and the Company shall pay or provide to Executive:

 

(a) The Accrued Obligations, in a single lump sum, through the Termination Date, and

 

(b) The timely payment or timely provision of the Other Benefits in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Benefit Plan.

 

All Unvested Equity shall be forfeited effective as of the Termination Date.

 

8.4. Termination by the Company Without Cause; Termination by Executive for Good Reason . If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company Without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, then Executive is entitled to receive or otherwise to be provided, and the Company shall pay or provide to Executive, subject to timely execution of a Release pursuant to Section 8.6 and compliance with Section 8.6 and Exhibit A :

 

(a) The aggregate of the following, in a single lump sum, through the Termination Date: (i) the Accrued Obligations, and (ii) any unpaid Prior Year Bonus and (iii) the Pro Rata Bonus;

 

(b) The timely payment or timely provision of the Other Benefits in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Benefit Plan through the Termination Date;

 

(c) Continued payment of Executive’s annual Base Salary and Pro Rata Bonus for the period from the Termination Date through an additional twelve (12) months (the “ Continuation Period ”), payable to Executive in accordance with the Company’s generally applicable payroll practices for senior executive officers, but not less frequently than in equal monthly installments (with the Pro-Rata Bonus being paid at the same time Annual Bonuses are paid to other senior executives);

 

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(d) (i) All then Unvested Equity (other than unvested RSUs) shall automatically and immediately become vested and, to the extent applicable, exercisable in full, as of the Termination Date, and remaining unvested RSUs shall automatically and immediately become vested, as of the Termination Date, and such vested RSUs shall be settled as set forth in Section 5.3 above, (ii) such accelerated Unvested Equity (other than unvested RSUs) shall remain outstanding and be exercisable, to the extent applicable, for a period of six (6) months from the Termination Date, but in all events no later than the end of the applicable term for each such award; and (iii) all restrictions on the Unvested Equity and the Other Equity Awards shall automatically and immediately lapse (other than vesting, subject to the terms of such awards);

 

(e) During the period starting on the Termination Date and ending on and inclusive of the earlier of (i) the date, if any, on which Executive is eligible under an employee welfare plan of another employer to receive benefits substantially equivalent to the health benefits provided under the Company’s current plan(s), if any, and (ii) the end of the Continuation Period, Executive and his eligible dependents shall be entitled, at the Company’s sole cost and expense, to continue participation in all Company health plans, if any, in which such Executive and his eligible dependents were participating as of the Termination Date, at the same levels as existed as of the Termination Date, except that if Company is unable to provide coverage under the such plans, then the Company shall notify Executive on a timely basis to allow Executive to obtain similar benefits and shall reimburse Executive, on a monthly basis for the Continuation Period, an amount equal to the applicable premium for the Executive and his eligible dependents, on a “tax grossed-up basis, and it shall be Executive’s responsibility to elect and maintain medical coverage under such plan; and

 

(f) The severance payment payable to the Executive pursuant to this Section 8.4 will be paid in one lump sum and in the manner set forth in Section 5 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as the Company is a “public company” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, in accordance with Section 8.8 hereof, any amounts payable to the Executive during the first six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of termination pursuant to this Section 5.3 will be deferred until the date which is six (6) months and one (1) day following such termination, and if such payments are required to be so deferred the first payment will be in an amount equal to the total amount to which the Executive would otherwise have been entitled during the period following the date of termination of employment if deferral had not been required.

 

8.5. Automatic Renewal . If this Agreement is not terminated one hundred and twenty (120) days before the last day of the Term and prior to that date the Company and Executive do not (i) enter into a mutually acceptable extension of this Agreement, or (ii) enter into a new agreement relating to Executive’s employment with the Company to have effect after such date, or (iii) otherwise agree to continue Executive’s employment with the Company after such date without the benefit of an agreement relating to such employment, then this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year periods and shall continue to automatically renew for such one-year periods subject to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof (the “ Additional Period ”).

 

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8.6. Release . In connection with any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, each of the Company and Executive shall execute and deliver a Mutual General Release in the form and substance of attached hereto as Exhibit B (a “ Release ”) and the Executive’s right to payment of the amounts specified in Sections 8.2 and 8.4 shall be subject to Executive’s execution (without revocation) of such a Release within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date.

 

8.7. No Mitigation . Executive is not required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise. The Company shall not reduce the amount of any payment or benefit provided for herein by any compensation that Executive earns from another employer or from any other employment or from rendering services to or for the benefit of any other person or entity (including self-employment).

 

8.8. Compliance with Section 409A . Unless otherwise expressly provided, any payment of compensation by Company to Executive, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, shall be made no later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month (i.e., 2½ months) after the later of the end of the calendar year or the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s right to such payment vests (i.e., is not subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”). For purposes of this Agreement, termination of employment shall be deemed to occur only upon “separation from service” as such term is defined under Section 409A. Each payment and each installment of any severance payments provided for under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of application of Section 409A. To the extent any amounts payable by the Company to the Executive constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A) such payments are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. Neither Party individually or in combination may accelerate, offset or assign any such deferred payment, except in compliance with Section 409A. No amount shall be paid prior to the earliest date on which it is permitted to be paid under Section 409A, including a six (6) month delay of termination payments made to specified employees of a public company, to the extent then applicable. Executive shall have no discretion with respect to the timing of payments except as permitted under Section 409A. Any Section 409A payments which are subject to execution of a Release which may be executed and/or revoked in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the payment event (such as termination of employment) occurs shall commence payment only in such following calendar year as necessary to comply with Section 409A. All expense reimbursement or in-kind benefits subject to Section 409A provided under this Agreement or, unless otherwise specified in writing, under any Company program or policy, shall be subject to the following rules: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during one calendar year may not affect the benefits provided during any other year; (ii) reimbursements shall be paid no later than the end of the calendar year following the year in which Executive incurs such expenses, and Executive shall take all actions necessary to claim all such reimbursements on a timely basis to permit the Company to make all such reimbursement payments prior to the end of said period, and (iii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. It is the intent of the Company that the provisions of this Agreement and all other plans and programs sponsored by the Company be interpreted to comply in all respects with Section 409A, however, the Company shall have no liability to Executive, or any successor or beneficiary thereof, in the event taxes, penalties or excise taxes may ultimately be determined to be applicable to any payment or benefit received by Executive or any successor or beneficiary thereof, nor for reporting in good faith any payment of benefit as subject to Section 409A.

 

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8.9. Section 280G . The Company will be entitled to deduct or withhold from any amounts owing to the Executive any federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes, excise taxes, or employment taxes (“ Taxes ”) imposed with respect to the Executive’s compensation or other payments from the Company or any of its Affiliates or the Executive’s ownership interest in the Company or any of its Affiliates (including, without limitation, wages, bonuses, dividends, the receipt or exercise of equity options and/or the receipt or vesting of restricted equity). In the event the Company or any of its Affiliates does not make such deductions or withholdings, the Executive will indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its Affiliates for any amounts paid with respect to any such Taxes (but not including any penalties or interest due thereon, all of which shall be the responsibility of the Company). Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any plan to the contrary, if all or any portion of the payments or benefits received or realized by Executive pursuant to this Agreement either alone or together with other payments or benefits that Executive receives or realizes or is then entitled to receive or realize from the Company or any of its Affiliates would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and/or any corresponding and applicable state law provision, the payments or benefits provided to Executive under this Agreement will be reduced by reducing the amount of payments or benefits payable to the Executive to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Executive’s payments or benefits will be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code and any corresponding and/or applicable state law provision. In the event such a reduction in payments or benefits is required, the reduction shall be applied in a manner to minimize the total payments and benefits reduced by first reducing payments and benefits a greater percentage of which are treated as parachute payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a reduction will be made under the previous sentence only if, by reason of that reduction, the Executive’s net after tax benefit exceeds the net after tax benefit he or she would realize if the reduction were not made. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary under this Section 8.9, (i) the payment and/or benefits (the “Payment”) shall be paid only to the extent permitted under the reduced payment alternative, and the Executive shall have no rights to any additional payments and/or benefits constituting the Payment, and (ii) reduction in payments and/or benefits shall occur in the following order: (A) cash payments shall be reduced first and in reverse chronological order such that the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced; (B) accelerated vesting of stock and RSUs awards shall be cancelled/reduced next and in the reverse order of the date of grant for such awards (i.e., the vesting of the most recently granted awards will be reduced first), with full-value awards reversed before any stock option or stock appreciation rights are reduced, unless the Executive elects in writing a different order for cancellation; and (C) employee benefits shall be reduced last and in reverse chronological order such that the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering such excise tax will be the first benefit to be reduced. For purposes of this paragraph, “net after tax benefit” means the sum of (i) the total payments or benefits received or realized by the Executive pursuant to this Agreement all or a portion of which would constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and any corresponding and applicable state law provision, plus (ii) all other payments or benefits that Executive receives or realizes or is then entitled to receive or realize from the Company and any of its Affiliates all or a portion of which would constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and any corresponding and applicable state law provision, less (iii) the amount of FICA taxes and federal or state income taxes payable with respect to the payments or benefits described in (i) and (ii) above calculated at the maximum marginal individual income tax rate (without considering deductibility of state tax for federal tax purposes) for each year in which payments or benefits are realized by Executive (based upon the rate in effect for that year as set forth in the Code at the time of the first receipt or realization of the foregoing), less (iv) the amount of excise taxes imposed with respect to the payments or benefits described in (i) and (ii) above by Section 4999 of the Code and any corresponding and applicable state law provision.

 

Unless the Company and the Executive otherwise agree in writing, any calculation required under this Section 8.9 shall be made in writing by the Company’s then independent public registered accounting firm (the “Accountants”), whose calculation shall be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of calculating the Executive’s options under this Section 8.9, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Executive shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 8.9. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 8.9.

 

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8.10 Change of Control . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if (i) at any time during the term of this Agreement there is a Change of Control (as defined in the Plan) and within one (1) year of such Change of Control, the Executive elects to terminate this Agreement for Good Reason or the Company elects to terminate this Agreement Without Cause, (ii) within twenty-one (21) days of his termination the Executive executes a general release and non-competition agreement in favor of the Company, its subsidiaries and their Affiliates in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto and such release becomes effective and is not revoked, and (iii) the Executive complies with the terms of this Agreement and Exhibits A and B hereto, the Executive shall be entitled to (w) receive the continuation of health and welfare benefits for a period equal to one (1) year after the date of termination, (x) an amount in cash equal to one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s then-current base salary, (y) acceleration of all of the Executive’s unvested awards pursuant to any equity incentive plan grant made prior to the Executive’s last day of employment with the Company, and (z) for a period of twelve (12) months following the Executive’s last day of employment with the Company to exercise all then-vested equity incentive awards (unless the period provided for under the applicable plan for the particular award would provide for a longer period of exercise following termination of employment in similar circumstances). Notwithstanding Section 8.4 above, if the Executive receives the payments provided for in this Section 8.10, the Executive is not entitled to any payments pursuant to Section 8.4; provided, that it is the intent of the Parties that to the extent Section 8.4 conflicts with this Section 8.10, the executive shall receive the maximum benefits, payments, severance, vesting, acceleration and exercise period permitted by such sections. The severance payment payable to the Executive pursuant to this clause of this Section 8.10 (or Section 8.4, if applicable) will be paid in one lump sum and in the manner set forth in Section 5 hereof. For purposes of determining whether a Change of Control has occurred under this Agreement, the acquisition of additional stock and/or convertible securities by James Nathanielsz and/or his affiliates resulting in him and/or his affiliates beneficially owning more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change of Control.

 

8.11. Resignation from Directorships and Officerships . The termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason will constitute the Executive’s immediate resignation from (a) any officer or employee position the Executive has with the Company or any of its Affiliates, and (b) all fiduciary positions (including as a trustee) the Executive holds with respect to any employee benefit plans or trusts established by the Company. The termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for Cause or as a result of Executive’s death or Disability will constitute the Executive’s immediate resignation from any director position the Executive has with the Company or any of its Affiliates. The Executive agrees that this Agreement shall serve as written notice of resignation in such circumstances, unless otherwise required by any plan or applicable law.

 

9. Additional Provisions .

 

9.1. Non-competition . Because of the Company’s legitimate business interest as described herein and the good and valuable consideration offered to the Executive, during the Employment Term, and for the term of one (1) year, to run consecutively, beginning on the last day of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive agrees and covenants not to engage in Prohibited Activity within the country of Australia.

 

For purposes of this Section 7, “Prohibited Activity” is activity in which the Executive contributes his knowledge, in whole or in part, as an employee, employer, owner, operator, manager, advisor, consultant, agent, employee, partner, director, stockholder, officer, volunteer, intern or any other similar capacity to an entity engaged in the same or similar business as the Company, including those engaged in the business of biotechnology or medical treatment. Prohibited Activity also includes activity that may require or inevitably requires disclosure of trade secrets, proprietary information or Confidential Information.

 

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This Section 7 does not, in any way, restrict or impede the Executive from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation or order. The Executive shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to the Company.

 

9.2. Entire Agreement; No Oral Amendments . This Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement (including all exhibits and schedules attached hereto and thereto) together set forth the compete, entire, and final agreement between the Company and Executive relating to the subject matter hereof and terminates, cancels, and supersedes any and all prior agreements, communications, contracts, representations, or understandings, in each case whether oral or written, between the Company and Executive relating to the subject matter hereof. No amendment, modification, or supplement to this Agreement is valid, binding, or enforceable unless the same is in writing and executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and by Executive.

 

9.3. Notices . Each notice or other communication relating to this Agreement, in order to be effective, must be in writing, must be sent to the applicable address indicated below for the recipient (or to the then-most recent address of which the recipient has notified the sender in writing in accordance herewith), and must be sent, all costs, expenses, and fees prepaid by the sender, by (a) personal delivery, (b) first class registered mail, return receipt requested, or (c) a nationally recognized courier service that provides proof of delivery (e.g., FedEx, UPS) for delivery on the first business day immediately following the day on which the notice or other communication is deposited with the courier service. Each notice or communication given in accordance herewith is deemed effective: (i) upon actual receipt when delivered personally or by courier service, or (ii) three (3) business days after the date on which the notice or communication is deposited with the United States Postal Service, if sent by first class registered mail (or any earlier date evidenced by the proof of delivery).

 

If to the Company : to the attention of the Chairman of the Board, at the address of Company’s principle place of business, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to Sasha Ablovatskiy, Esq. at Foley Shechter Ablovatskiy LLP, 1359 Broadway, 20th Floor, Suite 2001 New York, NY 10018, or to sablovatskiy@foleyshechter.com .

 

If to Executive : to the address listed as Executive’s primary residence in the human resource records and to Executive’s principal place of business.

 

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9.4. Successors .

 

(a) This Agreement is personal to Executive and Executive may not assign or delegate this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company. This Agreement inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives, heirs, or legatees.

 

(b) The Company may not assign or delegate this Agreement without the prior written consent of Executive, except that the Company may assign or delegate this Agreement to any successor (whether direct or indirect, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, operation of law, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, subject to the condition that the successor, no later than fifteen (15) days after the occurrence of such succession, executes and delivers to Executive an instrument in from and substance acceptable to Executive (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) pursuant to which the successor explicitly assumes and agrees to perform, comply with, and otherwise be bound by this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to do so if no such succession had occurred. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, this Agreement is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the Company and its permitted successors and permitted assigns. As used in this Agreement, the term “Company” means the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to is business or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement, whether by operation of law or otherwise.

 

(c) Any purported assignment or delegation in violation of this Section 9.3 is null and void ab initio and of no force or effect.

 

9.5. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, then such determination does not affect the legality, validity, or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement, all of which remain in full force and effect. Each of the Company and Executive agrees that in the event of any such determination the Company and Executive will negotiate to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Company and Executive as close as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

9.6. Certain Interpretative Matters .

 

(a) For the purposes of this Agreement: (i) the term “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified entity (the “ specified entity ”), at any particular time, any other present or future person or entity that at such time, directly or indirectly, controls, is under common control with, or is controlled by, the specified entity; and the term “ control ” (and, with correlative meanings, the terms “ under common control with ” and “ controlled by” ) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of any entity, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise).the terms “ herein ,”“ hereof ,”“ hereto ,”“ hereunder ,” and terms of similar import refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision; (ii) the term “ include ” (and its grammatical variations) is not limiting; and (iii) the term “or” is not exclusive. The headings of the Sections and other subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement, and are of no force or effect in connection with the construction or the interpretation of this Agreement. Except where expressly provided otherwise, each reference herein to an Article, Section, or other subdivision, or to an Exhibit or Schedule, is a reference to the applicable Article, Section, or other subdivision of, or exhibit or schedule to, this Agreement.

 

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(b) In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between any of the provisions of this Agreement and any of the provisions of any of the Benefit Plans or any other award, code, form, plan, policy, or program of the Company, the provisions of this Agreement control and govern. No provision in any of the Benefit Plans or in any other award, code, form, plan, policy, or program related to a violation thereof being grounds for termination, or similar language, will result in a “cause” termination unless such violation is also Cause under this Agreement and the provisions hereof are complied with, and the foregoing applies even if Executive signs an acknowledgement or otherwise agrees to the provisions of such Benefit Plan or other policy, code, plan, or program. If any ambiguity or question of interpretation or of construction arises in connection with or relating to this Agreement, each of the Company and Executive agrees that this Agreement is to be interpreted and construed as if jointly drafted by both the Company and Executive and that no presumption or burden of proof is to arise favoring or disfavoring the Company or Executive by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

 

9.7. Survival . The following provisions survive the expiration or termination of the Employment Period and the Term (including any termination by reason of Executive’s breach of this Agreement): the terms and conditions of Exhibit A and Section 6.8, Article 8, and this Article 9.

 

9.8. Chosen Law; Jurisdiction; Arbitration .

 

(a) This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in all respects, shall be interpreted, construed, and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules or provisions.

 

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(b) To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with your employment with the Company, the Parties agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Agreement, Executive’s employment with the Company, or the termination of his employment, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS (New York office) or its successor, under JAMS’ then applicable rules and procedures for employment disputes (available upon request and also currently available at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration ). Executive acknowledges that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, each of the Parties waives the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. In addition, all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by Executive or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. To the extent that the preceding sentences regarding class claims or proceedings are found to violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable, any claim(s) alleged or brought on behalf of a class shall proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. Executive will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The Parties agree that the existence of such arbitration proceeding, the nature and facts thereof and any award made therein shall be confidential and not disclosed to any third parties. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that Executive or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. Each party shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with such arbitration. The Parties consent and submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the Supreme Court of the State of New York and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, each located in the City of New York, State of New York, to compel arbitration in accordance with this Agreement, to enforce any arbitration award granted pursuant to this Agreement, including, any award granting equitable or injunctive relief, and to otherwise enforce this Agreement and carry out the intentions of the Parties to resolve all disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement through arbitration. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either Party from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.

 

9.9. Authority . The Company represents and warrants that (a) it has the full corporate power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement, and (b) the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized.

 

9.10. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which constitutes an original and all of which together constitute one and the same instrument. A manually executed counterpart of this Agreement delivered by means of e-mail as a Portable Document Format file (“.pdf”) (or in any present or future file format intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document), or by means of facsimile transmission, constitutes the valid and effective execution and delivery of this Agreement for all purposes and has the same force and effect for all purposes as the personal delivery of a manually executed counterpart bearing an original ink signature.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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By signing below, each of the Company and Executive acknowledges that it or he has carefully read, fully understands, and accepts and agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement.

 

  PROPANC BIOPHARMA, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Julian Kenyon
  Name:  Dr. Julian Kenyon
  Title: Authorized Signatory
     
 

JAMES NATHANIELSZ

   
  /s/ James Nathanielsz
  (signature)

 

[Propanc Biopharma, Inc./Nathanielsz Employment Agreement – Signature Page]

 

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Schedule “1”

 

Outside Activities, Investments and Board Positions

 

1) All activities related to North Horizon Pty Ltd.

 

[END OF SCHEDULE “1”]

 

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EXHIBIT “A”

 

CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-INTERFERENCE AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

 

As a condition of my becoming employed by, or continuing employment with, Propanc Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and in consideration of my employment with the Company and my receipt of the compensation now and hereafter paid to me by the Company, I agree to the following. All initially capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Employment Agreement between the Company and me dated May 14, 2019 (the “Employment Agreement”)

 

Section 1. Confidential Information.

 

(a) Company Group Information . I acknowledge that, during the course of my employment, I will have access to non-public information about the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “ Company Group ”) and that my employment with the Company shall bring me into close contact with confidential and proprietary information of the Company Group. In recognition of the foregoing, I agree, at all times during the term of my employment with the Company and for the five (5) year period following my termination of my employment for any reason, to hold in confidence, and not to use, except for the benefit of the Company Group, or to disclose to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity without written authorization of the Company or except as expressly permitted herein, any Confidential Information that I obtain or create. I further agree not to make copies of such Confidential Information except as authorized by the Company, or except as permitted herein, or as otherwise necessary to fulfill my duties to the Company. For the purposes hereof, “ Confidential Information ” means information that the Company Group has developed, acquired, created, compiled, discovered, or owned or will develop, acquire, create, compile, discover, or own, that has value in or to the business of the Company Group that is not generally known and that the Company wishes to maintain as confidential. I understand that Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, any and all non-public information that relates to the actual or anticipated business and/or products, research, or development of the Company, or to the Company’s technical data, trade secrets, or know-how, including, without limitation, proposals and development work for television programs, formats, copyright works, research, product plans, or other information regarding the Company’s products or services and markets, customer lists, and customers (including, without limitation, customers of the Company on whom I called or with whom I may become acquainted during the term of my employment), software, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering, hardware configuration information, marketing, finances, and other business information disclosed by the Company either directly or indirectly in writing, orally, or by drawings or inspection of premises, parts, equipment, or other Company property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include (i) any of the foregoing items that are, or become, publicly known through no unauthorized disclosure by me, (ii) any of the foregoing items lawfully disclosed to me free of restriction from a source that was not legally or contractually prohibited from disclosing such item, or (iii) any of the foregoing items or other information that I had or owned prior to my employment with the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, I am permitted to disclose any Confidential Information if and to the extent I am required to do so by, or pursuant to any order of, any court, tribunal, or other governmental, judicial, arbitral, administrative, or regulatory authority, agency, or instrumentality. In the event I am so required to disclose any Confidential Information, I will, if permitted pursuant to applicable law, give the Company prompt notice thereof so that the Company Group, at its sole cost and expense, may seek an appropriate protective order and/or waive compliance with the confidentiality provisions of this Confidentiality, Non-Interference, and Invention Assignment Agreement (the “ Confidentiality Agreement ”).

 

 

 

 

(b) Former Employer Information . I represent that my performance of all of the terms of this Confidentiality Agreement as an employee of the Company has not breached and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information, knowledge, or data acquired by me in confidence or trust prior or subsequent to the commencement of my employment with the Company, and I will not disclose to any member of the Company Group, or induce any member of the Company Group to use, any developments, or confidential or proprietary information or material I may have obtained in connection with employment with any prior employer in violation of a confidentiality agreement, nondisclosure agreement, or similar agreement with such prior employer.

 

Section 2. Developments.

 

(a) Developments Retained and Licensed . I hereby represent and warrant that there are not any developments, original works of authorship, improvements, or trade secrets which were created or owned by me prior to the commencement of the Employment Period (collectively referred to as “ Prior Developments ”). If the foregoing representation and warranty is breached, and during any period during which I perform or performed services for the Company both before or after the date hereof (the “ Assignment Period ”), I incorporate or have incorporated into a Company product, program, service or other work a Prior Development owned by me or in which I have an interest, then I hereby grant the Company a non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to make, have made, copy, modify, make derivative works of, use, sell and otherwise distribute such Prior Development, to the extent of my interest therein, as part of or in connection with such product, program, service or work.

 

 

 

 

(b) Assignment of Developments . I hereby assign to the Company all my right, title and interest throughout the world (if any) in and to any and all (i) inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), all improvements thereto, and all patents, patent applications, and patent disclosures, together with all reissuances, continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, extensions and reexaminations thereof, (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, titles and working titles, together with all translations, adaptations, derivations, and combinations thereof and including all goodwill associated therewith, and all applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith, (iii) copyrightable works, all copyrights, and all applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith, (iv) trade secrets and confidential business information (excluding general industry knowledge and contacts) and all ideas, research and development, know-how, formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, technical data, designs, drawings, specifications, technology, systems, and business and marketing plans and proposals, (v) rights in and to computer software (including object code, source code, data and related documentation), (vi) Internet Web sites, including domain name registrations and content and software included therein, (vii) other proprietary rights, including, without limitation, original works of authorship, content, dialogue, plots, scripts, scenarios, music programming, formats, graphics, productions, products, programs, services, concepts, moral rights, rights to characters, actions, acts, gags, routines, materials, ideas, names, likeness, image, personality, publicity etc., (viii) rights to exploit, collect remuneration for, and recover for past infringements of any of the foregoing and (ix) copies and tangible embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium), whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, which I may solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to practice or cause to be conceived or developed or reduced to practice, or have conceived or developed or reduced to practice or have caused to be conceived or developed or reduced to practice, during the Employment Period, whether or not during regular working hours, in each case only if the applicable item (A) relates at the time of conception or development to the actual or demonstrably proposed business or research and development activities of the Company; (B) results from or relates to any work performed by me for the Company; or (C) is developed through the use of Confidential Information and/or resources of the Company (collectively referred to as “ Developments ”). I further acknowledge that all Developments which are or were made by me (solely or jointly with others) during the Assignment Period are “works made for hire” as to my contribution (to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law) for which I am, in part, compensated by my salary, unless regulated otherwise by law, but that, in the event any such Development is deemed not to be a work made for hire, I hereby assign any right, title and interest throughout the world in any such Development to the Company or its designee. If any Developments cannot be assigned, I hereby grant to the Company an exclusive, assignable, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, sublicenseable (through one or multiple tiers), royalty-free, unlimited license to use, make, modify, sell, offer for sale, reproduce, distribute, create derivative works of, publicly perform, publicly display and digitally perform and display such work in any media now known or hereafter known. Outside the scope of my service, whether during or after my employment with the Company, I agree not to (x) modify, adapt, alter, translate, or create derivative works from any such work of authorship or (y) merge any such work of authorship with other Developments. To the extent rights related to paternity, integrity, disclosure and withdrawal (collectively, “ Moral Rights ”) may not be assignable under applicable law and to the extent the following is allowed by the laws in the various countries where Moral Rights exist, I hereby irrevocably waive such Moral Rights in and to all or any Developments and consent to any action of the Company Group that would violate such Moral Rights in the absence of such consent.

 

(c) Maintenance of Records . I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current written records of all Developments made by me (solely or jointly with others) during the Assignment Period. The records may be in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, flow charts, electronic data or recordings, and any other format. The records will be available to and remain the sole property of the Company at all times. I agree not to remove such records from the Company’s place of business except as expressly permitted by Company policy, which may, from time to time, be revised at the sole election of the Company for the purpose of furthering the business of the Company.

 

 

 

 

(d) Intellectual Property Rights . I agree to assist the Company, or its designee, at the Company’s expense, in every way to secure the rights of the Company in the Developments and any copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, database rights, domain names, mask work rights, moral rights, or other intellectual property rights relating thereto in any and all countries, including the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent information and data with respect thereto, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments, recordations, and all other instruments which the Company shall deem necessary in order to apply for, obtain, maintain and transfer such rights and in order to assign and convey to the Company the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to such Developments, and any intellectual property or other proprietary rights relating thereto. I further agree that my obligation to execute or cause to be executed, when it is in my power to do so, any such instrument or papers shall continue after the Assignment Period until the expiration of the last such intellectual property right to expire in any country of the world; provided, however, the Company shall reimburse me for my reasonable expenses incurred in connection with carrying out the foregoing obligation. If the Company is unable because of my mental or physical incapacity or unavailability for any other reason to secure my signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any United States or foreign patents or copyright registrations covering Developments or original works of authorship assigned to the Company as above, then I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney in fact, to act for and in my behalf and stead only to execute and file any such applications or records and only to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the application for, prosecution, issuance, maintenance or transfer of letters patent or registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect as if originally executed by me. I hereby waive and irrevocably quitclaim to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, which I now or hereafter have for past, present or future infringement of any and all proprietary rights assigned to the Company hereunder.

 

Section 3. Returning Company Group Documents. I agree that, at the time of termination of my employment with the Company for any reason, or earlier if reasonably requested, I will deliver to the Company (and will not keep in my possession, recreate, or deliver to anyone else) any and all Confidential Information and all other documents, materials, information, and property developed by me pursuant to my employment or otherwise belonging to the Company. I agree further that any property situated on the Company’s premises and owned by the Company (or any other member of the Company Group), including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets, and other work areas, is subject to inspection by personnel of any member of the Company Group at any time with or without notice.

 

Section 4. Disclosure of Agreement. As long as it remains in effect, I will disclose the existence of this Confidentiality Agreement to any prospective employer, partner, co-venturer, investor, or lender prior to entering into an employment, partnership, or other business relationship with such person or entity.

 

Section 5. Restrictions on Interfering.

 

(a) Non-Interference . During the period of my employment with the Company (the “ Employment Period ”) and the Post-Termination Non-Interference Period, I shall not, directly or indirectly for my own account or for the account of any other individual or entity, engage in Interfering Activities.

 

 

 

 

(b) Definitions . For purposes of this Confidentiality Agreement:

 

(i) “ Business Relation ” shall mean any current or prospective client, customer, licensee, account, supplier or other business relation of the Company Group, or any such relation that was a client, customer, licensee, account, supplier, or other business relation within the six (6) month period prior to the expiration of the Employment Period, in each case, to whom I provided services, or with whom I transacted business.

 

(ii) “ Interfering Activities ” means (A) encouraging, soliciting, or inducing, or in any manner attempting to encourage, solicit, or induce, any Person employed by, or providing consulting services to, any member of the Company Group(each, a “ Restricted Associate ”) to terminate such Person’s employment or services (or in the case of a consultant, materially reducing such services) with the Company Group, provided that the foregoing shall not be violated by general advertising not targeted at employees or consultants of any member of the Company Group; or (B) encouraging, soliciting, or inducing, or in any manner attempting to encourage, solicit, or induce, any Business Relation to cease doing business with or reduce the amount of business conducted with the Company Group, or in any way interfering with the relationship between any such Business Relation and the Company Group. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes hereof the term “Interfering Activities” excludes my taking all or any of the following actions, whether for my account or benefit or for the account or benefit of any other Person: (x) hiring any Restricted Associate or engaging any Restricted Associate to otherwise render services (whether consulting or otherwise), so long as in connection therewith I do not knowingly encourage, induce, or solicit, or knowingly attempt to encourage, induce, or solicit, the respective Restricted Associate in violation of the above clause (A) of this definition; (y) engaging in, accepting, or otherwise conducting business with any Business Relation, so long as in connection therewith I do not knowingly encourage, solicit, or induce, or knowingly attempt to encourage, solicit, or induce, the respective Business Relation in violation of the above clause (C) of this definition; or (z) communicating, or any Person at my direction communicating, to any Persons, including, without limitation, any Restricted Associate or any Business Relation, by any means, method, media, or format now or hereafter known (including, without limitation, via any present or future social media service, such as, without limitation, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter), any change in my employment, including, but not limited to, the cessation of my employment with the Company or my employment with any Person other than the Company.

 

(iii) “ Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust (charitable or non-charitable), unincorporated organization, or other form of business entity.

 

(iv) “ Post-Termination Non-Interference Period ” means the period commencing on the date of the termination of my employment with the Company for any reason and ending on the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of such date of termination.

 

Section 6. Reasonableness of Restrictions. I acknowledge and recognize the highly competitive nature of the Company’s business, that access to Confidential Information renders me special and unique within the Company’s industry, and that I will have the opportunity to develop substantial relationships with existing and prospective clients, accounts, customers, consultants, contractors, investors, and strategic partners of the Company Group during the course of and as a result of my employment with the Company. In light of the foregoing, I recognize and acknowledge that the restrictions and limitations set forth in this Confidentiality Agreement are reasonable and valid in geographical and temporal scope and in all other respects and are essential to protect the value of the business and assets of the Company Group. I acknowledge further that the restrictions and limitations set forth in this Confidentiality Agreement will not materially interfere with my ability to earn a living following the termination of my employment with the Company and that my ability to earn a livelihood without violating such restrictions is a material condition to my employment with the Company.

 

 

 

 

Section 7. Independence; Severability; Blue Pencil. Each of the rights enumerated in this Confidentiality Agreement shall be independent of the others and shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any other rights and remedies available to the Company Group at law or in equity. If any of the provisions of this Confidentiality Agreement or any part of any of them is hereafter construed or adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the remainder of this Confidentiality Agreement, which shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid portions.

 

Section 8. Injunctive Relief. I expressly acknowledge that any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Confidentiality Agreement may result in substantial, continuing, and irreparable injury to the members of the Company Group. Therefore, I hereby agree that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company, any member of the Company Group shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief, specific performance, or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction in the event of any breach or threatened breach of the terms of this Confidentiality Agreement without the necessity of posting of a bond.

 

Section 9. General Provisions.

 

(a) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Arbitration . Except where preempted by federal law, all matters in connection with, relating to, or arising from this Confidentiality Agreement, including, without limitation, the validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Confidentiality Agreement, is governed by and is to be construed under the laws of the state of Delaware applicable to agreements made and to be performed in that state, without regard to conflict of laws rules of the State of Delaware that would result in the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the state of Delaware.

 

 

 

 

To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with this Confidentiality Agreement, the parties hereto agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Confidentiality Agreement, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS (Los Angeles office) or its successor, under JAMS’ then applicable rules and procedures for employment disputes (available upon request and also currently available at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration ). I acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, each of the parties hereto waives the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. In addition, all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by me or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. To the extent that the preceding sentences regarding class claims or proceedings are found to violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable, any claim(s) alleged or brought on behalf of a class shall proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. I will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The parties hereto agree that the existence of such arbitration proceeding, the nature and facts thereof and any award made therein shall be confidential and not disclosed to any third parties. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that Executive or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. Each party hereto shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with such arbitration. The parties hereto consent and submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the Superior Court of the State of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, each located in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, to compel arbitration in accordance with this Confidentiality Agreement, to enforce any arbitration award granted pursuant to this Confidentiality Agreement, including, any award granting equitable or injunctive relief, and to otherwise enforce this Confidentiality Agreement and carry out the intentions of the Parties to resolve all disputes arising under or in connection with this Confidentiality Agreement through arbitration. Nothing in this Confidentiality Agreement is intended to prevent either party hereto from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.

 

(b) Entire Agreement . This Confidentiality Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and me relating to the subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions and communications between the Company and me relating to the same. No modification or amendment to this Confidentiality Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Confidentiality Agreement, will be effective unless in writing and signed and delivered by each of the Company and me. Any subsequent change or changes in my duties, obligations, rights, or compensation will not affect the validity or scope of this Confidentiality Agreement.

 

(c) Successors and Assigns . Sections 9.3(b) and 9.3(c) of the Employment Agreement are incorporated into this Confidentiality Agreement by reference, mutatis mutandis . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Employment Agreement or in this Confidentiality Agreement, the Company is prohibited from assigning or delegating all or any portion of this Confidentiality Agreement except in compliance with this Section 9(c) in connection with an assignment or delegation of the Employment Agreement that is effected in compliance with Sections 9.3(b) and 9.3(c) of the Employment Agreement. Subject to the two immediately preceding sentences, this Confidentiality Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, and other legal representatives and will be binding upon and for the benefit of the Company, its successors, and its assigns.

 

(d) Survival . The provisions of this Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the termination of my employment with the Company and/or the assignment, in compliance with the requirements hereof, of this Confidentiality Agreement by the Company to any successor in interest or other assignee, in each case subject to the temporal limitations contained herein.

 

(e) Construction . Each party hereto has had an adequate opportunity to have this Confidentiality Agreement reviewed by counsel. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Confidentiality Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto. This Confidentiality Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption, rule or burden of proof regarding the favoring or disfavoring of any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Confidentiality Agreement. In the event any of the provisions of this Confidentiality Agreement conflict with any of the provisions of the Employment Agreement, the respective provisions of the Employment Agreement govern and control.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

 

 

I, James Nathanielsz, have executed this Confidentiality, Non-Interference, and Invention Assignment Agreement on the date set forth below:

 

Date: May 14, 2019   /s/ James Nathanielsz
    (Signature)
     
     
    James Nathanielsz

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:    
       
PROPANC BIOPHARMA, INC.    
       
By: /s/ Julian Kenyon    
Name:  Dr. Julian Kenyon    
Title:

Authorized Signatory

   

 

[Propanc Biopharma, Inc./Nathanielsz Employment Agreement – Exhibit A Signature Page]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT “B”

 

[FORM OF]

 

MUTUAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

This Mutual Release of Claims (this “ Release ”), is entered into as of the date of the last signature below, by and between Propanc Biopharma, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and James Nathanielsz (“ Executive ”) and is executed by each of the Company and Executive pursuant to Section [8] of that certain Employment Agreement, dated May ___, 2019 (the “ Employment Agreement ”), by and between the Company and Executive. Capitalized terms used in this Release without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Employment Agreement. Executive and the Company sometimes are referred to herein collectively as the “Parties” and each individually as a “Party”. The Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1. Release by Executive . Executive, on his own behalf and on behalf of his descendants, dependents, heirs, devisees, legatees, executors, administrators, legal or personal representatives, trustees, assigns, and successors (individually and collectively, the “ Executive Parties ”), and each of them, hereby acknowledges full and complete satisfaction of and releases and discharges the Company, and each of its Affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, or parents,, past and present, and each of them, as well as their respective predecessors, assignees, successors, directors, officers, stockholders, partners, representatives, attorneys, agents or employees, past or present, or any of them (individually and collectively, the “ Company Parties ”), from and with respect to any and all claims, agreements, obligations, demands and causes of action, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Executive has ever had, or now has, or ever will have, against the Company Parties by reason of any and all acts, omissions, conditions, events, circumstances, or facts existing, occurring, or failing to occur at any time through the date of Executive’s execution of this Release that directly or indirectly arise out of, relate to, or are connected in any way with Executive’s employment by, services to (whether as an employee, officer, director, or otherwise), or separation from, all or any of the Company Parties, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, or any other federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance relating to employment (the foregoing, as modified by the following clause, collectively, the “ Executive Released Claims ”); except that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the release set forth in this Section 1 expressly excludes, and shall not alter, limit, release, apply to, or otherwise affect, and the term Executive Released Claims shall not include; (a) the obligations and covenants of the Company and the rights of Executive in each case that, directly or by implication, survive the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to Section [9.7] of the Employment Agreement; (b) any claim that is prohibited from being released as a matter of law; (c) Executive’s rights to tail indemnification or contribution, whether pursuant to the governance documents of any of the Company Parties (including, without limitation, pursuant to any certificate of incorporation, bylaws or any written agreements) or Section [6.5] of the Employment Agreement (d) any rights or claims of Executive as a stockholder of the Company; (e) any vested rights or vested benefits under ERISA or under any Benefit Plan; (f) workers’ compensation benefits; and (g) any claims arising after the date of Executive’s execution of this Release.

 

 

 

 

2. It is a condition hereof, and it is the Parties’ intention in the execution of this Release, that the release set forth in Section 1 above shall be effective as a bar to each and all of the Executive Released Claims.

 

3. ADEA Waiver . Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that by entering into this Release, he is waiving any and all rights or claims that he may have arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ ADEA ”), which have arisen on or before the date of execution of this Release. Executive further expressly acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(a) In return for this Release, he will receive consideration beyond that which he was already entitled to receive before entering into this Release;

 

(b) He is hereby advised in writing by this Release to consult with an attorney before signing this Release;

 

(c) He was given a copy of this Release on [_________] , and informed that he had twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Release, that changes (whether material or otherwise) will not restart the 21-day period;

 

(d) Nothing in this Release prevents or precludes Executive from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs from doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law; and

 

(e) He was informed that he has seven (7) days following the date of execution of this Release in which to revoke this Release, and this Release will become null and void if Executive so elects revocation during that time. Any revocation must be in writing and must be received by the Company during the seven (7)-day revocation period. In the event that Executive exercises his right of revocation, neither the Company nor Executive will have any obligations under this Release.

 

4. Release by Company . The Company, on behalf of itself and each and all of the other Company Parties, hereby acknowledges full and complete satisfaction of and releases and discharges each and all of the Executive Parties from and with respect to any and all claims, agreements, obligations, demands and causes of action, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that all or any of the Company Parties have ever had, or now have, or ever will have, against all or any of the Executive Parties by reason of any and all acts, omissions, conditions, events, circumstances, or facts existing, occurring, or failing to occur at any time through the date of the Company’s execution of this Release that directly or indirectly arise out of, relate to, or are connected with Executive’s employment by, services to (whether as an employee, officer, director, or otherwise), or separation from, all or any of the Company Parties(the foregoing, as modified by the following clause, collectively, the “Company Released Claims ”); except that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the release set forth in this Section 4 expressly excludes, and shall not alter, limit, release, apply to, or otherwise affect, and the term Company Released Claims shall not include (a) the obligations of Executive that survive the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to Section [9.7] of the Employment Agreement and that certain Confidentiality, Non-Interference, and Invention Assignment Agreement dated [*] between the Company and Executive; and (b) any claims arising after the date of the Company’s execution of this Release.

 

 

 

 

5. It is a condition hereof, and it is the Parties’ intention in the execution of this Agreement, that the release set forth in Section 4 above shall be effective as a bar to each and all of the Company Released Claims.

 

6. No Transferred Claims . Executive represents and warrants to the Company, that he has not heretofore assigned or transferred to any person or entity any of the Executive Released Claims or any part or portion thereof. The Company represents and warrants to Executive that it has not heretofore assigned or transferred to any person or entity any of the Company Released Claims or any part or portion thereof.

 

7. Miscellaneous . The following provisions shall apply for purposes of this Release:

 

(a) Section Headings . The section headings contained in this Release are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Release.

 

(b) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Arbitration . All matters in connection with, relating to, or arising from this Release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof (to the extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be required thereby).

 

To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with this Release, the Parties agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Release, Executive’s employment with the Company, or the termination of his employment, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS (Los Angeles office) or its successor, under JAMS’ then applicable rules and procedures for employment disputes (available upon request and also currently available at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration ). Executive acknowledges that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, each of the Parties waives the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. In addition, all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by Executive or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. To the extent that the preceding sentences regarding class claims or proceedings are found to violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable, any claim(s) alleged or brought on behalf of a class shall proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. Executive will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The Parties agree that the existence of such arbitration proceeding, the nature and facts thereof and any award made therein shall be strictly confidential and not disclosed to any third parties (except as maybe necessary to enforce any arbitration award granted pursuant to this Release, including, any award granting equitable or injunctive relief, and to otherwise enforce this Release). The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that Executive or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. Each party shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with such arbitration. The Parties consent and submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the Superior Court of the State of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, each located in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, to compel arbitration in accordance with this Release, to enforce any arbitration award granted pursuant to this Release, including, any award granting equitable or injunctive relief, and to otherwise enforce this Release and carry out the intentions of the Parties to resolve all disputes arising under or in connection with this Release through arbitration. Nothing in this Release is intended to prevent either Party from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.

 

 

 

 

(c) Amendments . This Release may be amended, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by Executive and the Company or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party waiving compliance.

 

(d) Waivers .

 

(i) Except as otherwise provided herein, no action taken pursuant to this Release, including any investigation by or on behalf of any Party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Party taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Release. Any term, covenant, agreement, obligation, undertaking, condition, representation or warranty under this Release may be waived at any time by the Party which is entitled to the benefit thereof, but only by a written notice signed by such Party expressly waiving such term, covenant, agreement, obligation, undertaking, condition, representation or warranty.

 

(ii) The failure of any Party to insist, in any one or more instances, upon performance of the terms or conditions of this Release shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any right granted hereunder or of the future performance of any such term, covenant or condition. No waiver on the part of any Party of any right, power or privilege, nor any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege, shall preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.

 

(e) Severability . Any provision of this Release which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Release, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction will not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. To the extent permitted by law, the Parties waive any provision of law which renders any such provision prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

 

(f) Counterparts . This Release may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and it will not be necessary in making proof of this Release or the terms of this Release to produce or account for more than one of such counterparts. All counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each Party may execute this Release via a facsimile (or transmission of a PDF file) of a counterpart of this Release. In addition, facsimile or PDF signatures of authorized signatories of any Party shall be valid and binding and delivery of a facsimile or PDF signature by any Party shall constitute due execution and delivery of this Release.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Company and Executive has executed this Release as of the respective date set forth below.

 

 

PROPANC BIOPHARMA, INC.

     
  By:                      
  Name:   
  Title:  
     
 

JAMES NATHANIELSZ

     
   
  (signature)

 

[Propanc Biopharma, Inc./Nathanielsz Employment Agreement – Exhibit B Signature Page]

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

Amended and Restated Services Agreement

 

This Amended and Restated Services Agreement (this “Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of May 14, 2019 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Julian Kenyon (the “ Executive ”) and Propanc Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”, and collectively with the Executive, the “ Parties ”). This Agreement is intended to and hereby amends and restates in its entirety that certain Director Agreement between the Parties entered into as of February 25, 2015.

 

WHEREAS , the Executive is currently serving as the Chief Scientific Officer of the Company on a part-time non-executive basis and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”);

 

WHEREAS , the Company desires to appoint the Executive as the full time Chief Scientific Officer of the Company and to otherwise compensation the Executive for such services, as well as his continued services on the Board, on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS , the Executive desires to be appointed as the Company’s full time Chief Scientific Officer and to continue to serve on the Board on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants, promises and obligations set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Appointment Term . This Agreement and the Executive’s appointment term (the “ Appointment ”) hereunder shall be effective as of the Effective Date and shall continue until the third (3 rd ) anniversary thereof (the “ Initial Term ”), unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement. Thereafter, the Appointment shall automatically renew for successive periods of one (1) year, unless either Party shall have given to the other Party at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of his or its intention not to renew this Agreement prior to the end of the Term or the then applicable renewal term (collectively, the “ Term ”), as the case may be. The period starting on the Effective Date and ending on and inclusive of the earlier of (a) the date three (3) years thereafter, and (b) the termination date (as provided in Section 4) is referred to herein as the “ Services Period ”.

 

2. Position and Duties .

 

2.1 Position . During the Services Term, the Executive shall serve as (i) the full time Chief Scientific Officer of the Company in an executive officer capacity, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “ CEO ”) and the Board (ii) a member of the Board, subject to stockholder approval as may be required from time to time.

 

2.2 Duties . During the Services Term, Executive will have the authority and responsibilities consistent with the position of Chief Scientific Officer, subject to the reasonable direction and control of the CEO and the Board. The Executive shall perform all duties reasonably required of the Executive in furtherance of the Executive’s position as it relates to the Company’s business and the business of all of the Company’s subsidiaries (the Company, together with all of its subsidiaries, are referred to herein collectively as the “ Company Group ”). All duties assigned to Executive hereunder shall be consistent with the scope and dignity of his position.

 

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2.3 Services . During the Services Term, Executive shall devote such amount of Executive’s working time, attention, and efforts to the Company, excluding any periods for illness, incapacity, and vacations, as reasonably deemed needed by Executive to fully, diligently and in good faith perform the services required under this Agreement or as maybe reasonably required by the CEO and/or the Board, subject to the policies established by the Board. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence or anything to the contrary contained herein, during the Services Period Executive is permitted (a) to serve on the boards of directors, the boards of trustees, or any similar governing bodies, of any corporations or other business entities, of any charitable, educational, religious, or public service organizations, or of any trade associations, (b) to engage in charitable activities and community affairs, (c) to engage in venture investing, (d) to manage Executive’s personal investments and (e) to be employed by or provide services to other third parties, in each case so long as such activities are disclosed to the Board, do not compete with the business of the Company Group, and do not interfere with Executive’s performance of this Agreement.

 

2.4 Location . Executive shall be permitted to provide the services required under this Agreement remotely and as reasonably requested by the Company, to make himself available to travel for any purpose reasonably related to the Company Group’s business, including working out of the Company’s headquarters from time to time.

 

2.5 Confidentiality, Non-Interference and Invention Assignment . As a condition of employment, Executive shall execute and comply with the Confidentiality, Non-Interference and Invention Assignment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Confidentiality Agreement ”).

 

3. Compensation .

 

3.1 Gross Annual Package . The Company shall pay the Executive a base salary of $4,500 AUD per month, payable in accordance with the Company’s generally applicable payroll practices for senior executive officers, but not less frequently than in equal monthly installments.

 

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3.2 Initial Equity and Stock Options Grant . In addition to any other equity-based compensation or equity awards the Company grants to the Executive on or after the Effective Date, the Company shall grant to the Executive, as soon as practicable following the Effective Date, under the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”): (i) incentive stock options to purchase a total of nine million seven hundred fifty thousand (9,750,000) shares (collectively, the “ Options ”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “ Common Stock ”), with an exercise price per share equal to 100% of the closing market price of the Common Stock on the date of approval of such grant by the Board, (ii) nine million seven hundred fifty thousand (9,750,000) restricted stock units of the Company as the initial grant of restricted stock units (the “ Initial RSUs ”), and (iii) nine million seven hundred fifty thousand (9,750,000) restricted stock units of the Company as an additional grant of restricted stock units (the “ Additional RSUs ” and together with the Initial RSUs, the “ RSUs ”). The Options shall be issued pursuant to the Company’s standard form of Stock Options Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Board, in its sole discretion, will determine in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan. Each RSU grant will be evidenced by the Company’s standard form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Board, in its sole discretion, will determine in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, including all terms, conditions and restrictions related to the grant and the form of payout, which, subject to Section 9(d) of the Plan, may be left to the discretion of the Board. The Options shall be incentive stock options subject to the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders on or before 12 months from the date of its adoption by the Board, and if the Plan is not approved by the Company’s stockholders within such period, the Options shall be deemed nonqualified stock options. The Options shall vest as follows, provided that on each such vesting date Executive is employed by the Company, and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement: (i) the Options shall have a term of ten (10) years from the date of grant; (ii) one-third (1/3 rd ) of the Options shall vest every successive one-year anniversary following the Effective Date during the Term with the last one-third (1/3 rd ) vesting on the three-year anniversary of the Effective Date; and (iii) subject to Section 8, the vested Options shall be exercisable until at least three (3) months following any termination of this Agreement, but no later than the end of the applicable term for each such award. The Initial RSUs shall vest on the one-year anniversary of the Effective Date, subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through such vesting date. The Additional RSUs shall vest in accordance with the following milestone schedule (each such vesting date, a “ Vesting Date ”), subject to Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable Vesting Date:

 

    One-fourth (1/4 th ) of the Additional RSUs shall vest upon the Company submitting Clinical Trial Application (the “ CTA ”) for PRP, the Company’s lead product candidate (“ PRP ”), for a First-In-Human study for PRP (the “ Study ”) in an applicable jurisdiction selected by the Company;
       
    One-fourth (1/4 th ) of the Additional RSUs shall vest upon the Company completing an equity financing in the amount of at least $4,000,000 in gross proceeds, including proceeds from a financing consummated in connection with the Company’s engagement letter with its placement agent existing on the Effective Date (the “ Initial Financing ”);
       
    One-fourth (1/4 th ) of the Additional RSUs shall vest upon the Company’s shares of Common Stock being listed on a senior stock exchange (NYSE, NYSE MKT or NASDAQ); and
       
    One-fourth (1/4 th ) of the Additional RSUs shall vest upon the Company enrolling its first patient in the Study.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event of a “Change of Control” (as defined below) fifty percent (50%) of unvested portion of the Options and the RSUs shall vest immediately prior to such event. Each vested RSU shall be settled by delivery to Executive of one share of Common Stock and/or the fair market value of one share of common stock in cash, at the sole discretion of the Board and subject to the Plan, on the first to occur of: (i) the date of a Change of Control, (ii) the date that is ten (10) business days following the vesting date of such RSUs, (iii) the date of Executive’s death, provided such event occurs after the expiration of the Lock-up Period, and (iv) the date of Executive’s Disability (as defined below), provided such event occurs after the expiration of the Lock-up Period (in any case, the “ Settlement Date ”). Upon the Settlement Date, Executive shall be entitled, at his discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable law, to satisfy his tax obligations arising in connection with the settlement of his RSUs through the sale by Executive in the open market of a number of shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs up to the maximum applicable withholding rate. As permitted by law and subject to any required consents, on or before the Settlement Date, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to allow the Executive (and if permitted by the Company, other senior executives) to settle a number of RSUs sufficient to cover his employment tax obligation arising in connection with the settlement of his RSUs in the open market pursuant to such Form S-8 (the “ S-8 Settlement ”).

 

“Change of Control” shall have the meaning provided in the Plan, except that (i) for purposes of determining whether a Change of Control has occurred under this Agreement, the acquisition of additional stock and/or convertible securities by James Nathanielsz and/or his affiliates resulting in him and/or his affiliates beneficially owning more (or subsequently less) than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company will not be considered a Change of Control, and (ii) for purposes of the Options and the RSUs (and any other amounts payable on a Change of Control that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of the 409A Rules), a Change of Control shall only be deemed to occur if such transaction also constitutes a “change of control event” within the meaning of the 409A Rules. “Disability” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.4(b) below, except that for purposes of the Options and the RSUs (and any other amounts payable on a Disability that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of the 409A Rules), a Disability shall only exist if you are “disabled” within the meaning of the 409A Rules.

 

3.3 Tax Withholding . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable hereunder, including any amounts payable pursuant to this Article 3 or pursuant to Article 4, any applicable federal, state, and local taxes that the Company is required withhold pursuant to any applicable law.

 

3.4 Review of Gross Annual Package . The Executive’s annual salary provided in Section 3.1 will be reviewed and adjusted to market rates upon either of the below, whichever comes first, provided, that on such date the Company’s financial resources allow for such adjustment and the Executive joins the Company in a full-time capacity (unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties):

 

(i) Two years from the Effective Date; or

 

(ii) The Company completing an equity financing in the amount of at least $10,000,000 in gross proceeds in addition to the Initial Financing.

 

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The Executive’s annual salary will thereafter be reviewed annually and adjusted to market rates with any increase or decrease in salary taking effect on the first payment date of such review; provided, that on such date the Company’s financial resources allow for such adjustment and the Executive continues with the Company in a full-time capacity (unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties).

 

3.5 Accrued Unpaid Salary . The Executive shall have the option to convert any and all accrued unpaid salary into the Company’s Common Stock at the end of each fiscal year a conversion rate to be determined by the Parties, but in no event shall such conversion rate be lower than the par value of such common stock or higher than the closing bid price on date of the Parties’ agreement regarding such conversion.

 

3.6 Business Expenses . The Company shall promptly pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred or paid by the Executive during the Term in the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder, upon presentation of expense statements or vouchers and such other information as the Company may reasonably require and in accordance with the generally applicable policies and procedures of the Company.

 

3.7 Indemnification . In the event that the Executive is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “ Proceeding ”), other than any Proceeding initiated by the Executive or the Company related to any contest or dispute between the Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates with respect to this Agreement or the Executive’s employment hereunder, by reason of the fact that the Executive is or was a director or officer of the Company, or any affiliate of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, member, employee or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent applicable to any other officer or director of the Company/to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law from and against any liabilities, costs, claims and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees).

 

3.8 Lock-Up Period . The Executive hereby agrees that if so requested by the Company or any representative of the Company’s underwriters or placement agents (collectively, the “ Managing Underwriter ”) in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), the Executive shall not sell or otherwise transfer any shares or other securities of the Company during the 180-day period (or such longer period as may be requested in writing by the Managing Underwriter or placement agent and agreed to in writing by the Company) (the “ Market Standoff Period ”) following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that such restriction shall apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become effective under the Securities Act after the date hereof that includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten or other public offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period and these restrictions shall be binding on any transferee of such shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 180-day period may be extended for up to such number of additional days as is deemed reasonably necessary by the Company and/or the Managing Underwriter agent to continue coverage by research analysts in accordance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor rule.

 

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4. Termination of Officer Capacity . This Agreement and the Executive’s appointment hereunder (the “ Appointment ”) may be terminated by either the Company or the Executive at any time and for any reason; provided that, unless otherwise provided herein, either Party shall be required to give the other party at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of any termination. Upon termination, the Executive shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits described in this Section 4 and shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits from the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

4.1 Expiration of the Term, for Cause or Without Good Reason .

 

(a) This Agreement and Appointment hereunder may be terminated upon the Executive’s failure to renew the Agreement in accordance with Section 1, by the Company for Cause (as defined below) or by the Executive without Good Reason (as defined below). If this Agreement and the Appointment is terminated upon the Executive’s failure to renew this Agreement, by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to receive:

 

(i) any accrued but unpaid Base Salary; and

 

(ii) reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by the Executive, which shall be subject to and paid in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy.

 

Items 4.1(a)(i) through 4.1(a)(ii) are referred to herein collectively as the “ Accrued Amounts ”.

 

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean:

 

(i) The Executive’s conviction of a felony requiring intent under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or under the laws of Australia, after the exhaustion of all possible appeals, or the Executive entering a plea of nolo contendere to any charge of a felony requiring intent under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or under the laws of Australia; or

 

(ii) a willful and substantial refusal by the Executive to perform duties or responsibilities reasonably assigned to Executive in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, excluding any such failure by reason of death, Disability, or incapacity; or

 

(iii) any material and willful violation of any written policy, standard or procedure of the Company or the laws, rules or regulations of any governmental or regulatory body or agency that are generally applicable to senior employees or officers of the Company and that results in a material negative effect on the business or financial condition of the Company; or

 

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(iv) any act or omission that constitutes a material breach by the Executive of any of his agreements or obligations under this Agreement that has a material negative effect on the business or financial condition of the Company; or

 

(v) the Executive engaging in intentional acts of material fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, misconduct, gross negligence, dishonesty (including, without limitation, theft), violence, threat of violence, sexual misconduct, harassment or any other activity that has or could result in any material negative effect on the business or financial condition of the Company.

 

Termination of this Agreement and the Appointment shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until the Company delivers to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Board (excluding the Executive’s board vote), after reasonable written notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board, finding that the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in any of clauses (i) through (v) (inclusive) above. Except for a failure, breach or refusal which, by its nature, cannot reasonably be expected to be cured, the Executive shall have ten (10) business days from the delivery of written notice by the Company within which to cure any acts constituting Cause; provided however, that, if the Company reasonably expects irreparable injury from a delay of ten (10) business days, the Company may give the Executive notice of such shorter period within which to cure as is reasonable under the circumstances.

 

(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Good Reason ” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following, in each case during the Appointment without the Executive’s written consent:

 

(i) a material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary other than a general reduction in Base Salary that affects all similarly situated executives in substantially the same proportions;

 

(ii) any material breach by the Company of any material provision of this Agreement or any material provision of any other agreement between the Executive and the Company;

 

(iii) the Company’s failure to obtain an agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place, except where such assumption occurs by operation of law; or

 

(iv) a material, adverse change in the Executive’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities (other than temporarily while the Executive is physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law).

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Change in occurs during the Term, the Executive may terminate this Agreement and the Appointment for any reason during the thirty (30) day period following the Change in Control and such termination shall be deemed to be for Good Reason.

 

4.2 Non-renewal by the Company, Without Cause or for Good Reason . This Agreement and the Appointment may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause or on account of the Company’s failure to renew the Agreement in accordance with Section 1. In the event of such termination, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts and, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following subject to timely execution of a Release pursuant to Section 4.6 and compliance with Section 4.6 and Exhibit A :

 

(a) a lump sum payment equal to the sum of the Executive’s Base Salary for the year in which the Termination Date occurs (or if greater, the year immediately preceding the year in which the Change in Control occurs) payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, which shall commence on the Termination Date; and

 

(b) Fifty percent (50%) of the portion of the Options and RSUs that are unvested as of the termination date, after taking into account any acceleration of vesting based on the prior occurrence of any acceleration events specified hereunder (the “ Unvested Equity ”), shall automatically and immediately become vested and, to the extent applicable, exercisable in full, as of such termination date, and such vested RSUs shall be settled as set forth in Section 3.2 above, (ii) such accelerated Unvested Equity (other than unvested RSUs) shall remain outstanding and be exercisable, to the extent applicable, for a period of three (3) months from such termination date, but in all events no later than the end of the applicable term for each such award; and (iii) all restrictions on the Unvested Equity shall automatically and immediately lapse (other than vesting, subject to the terms of such awards).

 

4.3 Notice of Termination . Any termination hereunder by the Company or by the Executive during the Appointment shall be communicated by written notice of termination (“ Notice of Termination ”) to the other Party hereto in accordance with Section 15 . The Notice of Termination shall specify:

 

(a) The termination provision of this Agreement relied upon;

 

(b) To the extent applicable, the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated; and

 

(c) The applicable Termination Date.

 

4.4 Termination Date . The Executive’s Termination Date shall be:

 

(a) If this Agreement and the Appointment terminates on account of the Executive’s death, the date of the Executive’s death;

 

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(b) If this Agreement and the Appointment is terminated on account of the Executive’s Disability, the date that it is determined that the Executive has a Disability. For the purposes hereof, the term “ Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform his duties with the Company on a full-time basis, even with reasonable accommodation, for thirty (30) days during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, or twenty (20) consecutive days, in each case solely as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness.

 

(c) If the Executive terminates this Agreement and the Appointment with or without Good Reason, the date specified in the Executive’s Notice of Termination, which shall be no less than fourteen (14) days following the date on which the Notice of Termination is delivered; and

 

(d) If this Agreement and the Appointment terminates because either Party provides notice of non-renewal pursuant to Section 1, the Renewal Date immediately following the date on which the applicable party delivers notice of non-renewal.

 

4.5 Mitigation . In no event shall the Executive be obligated to take any action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, any amounts payable pursuant to this Section 4 shall not be reduced by compensation the Executive earns on account of employment with another employer.

 

4.6 Release . In connection with any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason or on account of the Company’s failure to renew the Agreement in accordance with Section 1, each of the Company and Executive shall execute and deliver a Mutual General Release in the form and substance of attached hereto as Exhibit B (a “ Release ”) and the Executive’s right to payment of the amounts specified in Section 4.2 shall be subject to Executive’s execution (without revocation) of such a Release within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date.

 

4.7 Resignation from Directorships and Officerships . Unless otherwise agreed to by the Company in writing, the termination of this Agreement or the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason will constitute the Executive’s immediate resignation from (a) any director, officer or employee position the Executive has with the Company or any of its Affiliates, and (b) all fiduciary positions (including as a trustee) the Executive holds with respect to any employee benefit plans or trusts established by the Company. The Executive agrees that this Agreement shall serve as written notice of resignation in this circumstance, unless otherwise required by any plan or applicable law.

 

5. Cooperation . The parties agree that certain matters in which the Executive will be involved during the Appointment may necessitate the Executive’s cooperation in the future. Accordingly, following the termination of this Agreement and the Appointment for any reason, to the extent reasonably requested by the Board, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company in connection with matters arising out of the Executive’s service to the Company; provided that, the Company shall make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption of the Executive’s other activities. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such cooperation and, to the extent that the Executive is required to spend substantial time on such matters, the Company shall compensate the Executive at an hourly rate.

 

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6. Restrictive Covenants .

 

6.1 Non-competition . Because of the Company’s legitimate business interest as described herein and the good and valuable consideration offered to the Executive, during the Appointment and for the term of two (2) years, to run consecutively, beginning on the last day of the Appointment, the Executive agrees and covenants not to engage in Prohibited Activity.

 

For purposes of this Section 7, “ Prohibited Activity ” is activity in which the Executive contributes his knowledge, in whole or in part, as an employee, employer, owner, operator, manager, advisor, consultant, agent, employee, partner, director, stockholder, officer, volunteer, intern or any other similar capacity to an entity engaged in the same or similar business as the Company. Prohibited Activity also includes activity that may require or inevitably requires disclosure of trade secrets, proprietary information or Confidential Information.

 

This Section 6 does not, in any way, restrict or impede the Executive from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation or order. The Executive shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to the Company.

 

7. Governing Law: Jurisdiction and Venue; Arbitration . This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in all respects, shall be interpreted, construed, and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules or provisions.

 

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To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with your employment with the Company, the Parties agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Agreement, Executive’s employment with the Company, or the termination of his employment, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS (New York office) or its successor, under JAMS’ then applicable rules and procedures for employment disputes (available upon request and also currently available at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration) . Executive acknowledges that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, each of the Parties waives the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. In addition, all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by Executive or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. To the extent that the preceding sentences regarding class claims or proceedings are found to violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable, any claim(s) alleged or brought on behalf of a class shall proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. Executive will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The Parties agree that the existence of such arbitration proceeding, the nature and facts thereof and any award made therein shall be confidential and not disclosed to any third parties. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that Executive or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. Each party shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with such arbitration. The Parties consent and submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the Supreme Court of the State of New York and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, each located in the City of New York, State of New York, to compel arbitration in accordance with this Agreement, to enforce any arbitration award granted pursuant to this Agreement, including, any award granting equitable or injunctive relief, and to otherwise enforce this Agreement and carry out the intentions of the Parties to resolve all disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement through arbitration. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to prevent either Party from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.

 

8. Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement (including all exhibits and schedules attached hereto and thereto) together set forth the compete, entire, and final agreement between the Company and the Executive relating to the subject matter hereof and terminates, cancels, and supersedes any and all prior agreements, communications, contracts, representations, or understandings, in each case whether oral or written, between the Company and the Executive relating to the subject matter hereof. No amendment, modification, or supplement to this Agreement is valid, binding, or enforceable unless the same is in writing and executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and by Executive.

 

9. Modification and Waiver . No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in writing by the parties. No waiver by either of the parties of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other party hereto shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time, nor shall the failure of or delay by either of the parties in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder operate as a waiver thereof to preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.

 

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10. Severability . Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be enforceable only if modified, or if any portion of this Agreement shall be held as unenforceable and thus stricken, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the parties with any such modification to become a part hereof and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement.

 

The Parties further agree that any such court is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement or by making such other modifications as it deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the parties as embodied herein to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth herein.

 

11. Captions . Captions and headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the caption or heading of any section or paragraph.

 

12. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

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

 

14. Notice . Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight carrier to the parties at the addresses set forth below (or such other addresses as specified by the parties by like notice):

 

If to the Company:

 

Propanc Biopharma, Inc.

302, 6 Butler Street

Camberwell, VIC, 3124 Australia

 

If to the Executive:

 

At the last address provided by the Executive as reflected on the Company’s records

 

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15. Representations of the Executive . The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

15.1 The Executive’s acceptance of Appointment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not conflict with or result in a violation of, a breach of, or a default under any contract, agreement or understanding to which he is a party or is otherwise bound.

 

15.2 The Executive’s acceptance of Appointment with the Company and the performance of his duties hereunder will not violate any non-solicitation, non-competition or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer.

 

16. Survival . Upon the expiration or other termination of this Agreement, the respective rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall survive such expiration or other termination to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties under this Agreement.

 

17. Acknowledgment of Full Understanding . THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT HE HAS FULLY READ, UNDERSTANDS AND VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT. THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT HE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY OF HIS CHOICE BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT.

 

[ Signature page follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  PROPANC BIOPHARMA, INC.
     
  By: /s/ James Nathanielsz
  Name:  James Nathanielsz
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  JULIAN KENYON
     
  /s/ Julian Kenyon
  (signature)

 

[Propanc Biopharma, Inc./Kenyon Services Agreement – Signature Page]

 

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EXHIBIT “A”

 

CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-INTERFERENCE AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

 

As a condition of the Company agreeing for me to provide services to, continuing to provide services to, and/or serve as a director of, Propanc Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and in consideration of such agreement by the Company and my receipt of the compensation now and hereafter paid to me by the Company, I agree to the following. All initially capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Amended and Restated Services Agreement between the Company and me dated May 14, 2019 (the “ Services Agreement ”)

 

Section 1. Confidential Information.

 

(a) Company Group Information . I acknowledge that, during the course of my employment, I will have access to non-public information about the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “ Company Group ”) and that my employment with the Company shall bring me into close contact with confidential and proprietary information of the Company Group. In recognition of the foregoing, I agree, at all times during the term of my employment with the Company and for the five (5) year period following my termination of my employment for any reason, to hold in confidence, and not to use, except for the benefit of the Company Group, or to disclose to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity without written authorization of the Company or except as expressly permitted herein, any Confidential Information that I obtain or create. I further agree not to make copies of such Confidential Information except as authorized by the Company, or except as permitted herein, or as otherwise necessary to fulfill my duties to the Company. For the purposes hereof, “ Confidential Information ” means information that the Company Group has developed, acquired, created, compiled, discovered, or owned or will develop, acquire, create, compile, discover, or own, that has value in or to the business of the Company Group that is not generally known and that the Company wishes to maintain as confidential. I understand that Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, any and all non-public information that relates to the actual or anticipated business and/or products, research, or development of the Company, or to the Company’s technical data, trade secrets, or know-how, including, without limitation, proposals and development work for television programs, formats, copyright works, research, product plans, or other information regarding the Company’s products or services and markets, customer lists, and customers (including, without limitation, customers of the Company on whom I called or with whom I may become acquainted during the term of my employment), software, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering, hardware configuration information, marketing, finances, and other business information disclosed by the Company either directly or indirectly in writing, orally, or by drawings or inspection of premises, parts, equipment, or other Company property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include (i) any of the foregoing items that are, or become, publicly known through no unauthorized disclosure by me, (ii) any of the foregoing items lawfully disclosed to me free of restriction from a source that was not legally or contractually prohibited from disclosing such item, or (iii) any of the foregoing items or other information that I had or owned prior to my employment with the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, I am permitted to disclose any Confidential Information if and to the extent I am required to do so by, or pursuant to any order of, any court, tribunal, or other governmental, judicial, arbitral, administrative, or regulatory authority, agency, or instrumentality. In the event I am so required to disclose any Confidential Information, I will, if permitted pursuant to applicable law, give the Company prompt notice thereof so that the Company Group, at its sole cost and expense, may seek an appropriate protective order and/or waive compliance with the confidentiality provisions of this Confidentiality, Non-Interference, and Invention Assignment Agreement (the “ Confidentiality Agreement ”).

 

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(b) Former Employer Information . I represent that my performance of all of the terms of this Confidentiality Agreement as an employee of the Company has not breached and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information, knowledge, or data acquired by me in confidence or trust prior or subsequent to the commencement of my employment with the Company, and I will not disclose to any member of the Company Group, or induce any member of the Company Group to use, any developments, or confidential or proprietary information or material I may have obtained in connection with employment with any prior employer in violation of a confidentiality agreement, nondisclosure agreement, or similar agreement with such prior employer.

 

Section 2. Developments.

 

(a) Developments Retained and Licensed . I hereby represent and warrant that there are not any developments, original works of authorship, improvements, or trade secrets which were created or owned by me prior to the commencement of the Employment Period (collectively referred to as “ Prior Developments ”). If the foregoing representation and warranty is breached, and during any period during which I perform or performed services for the Company both before or after the date hereof (the “ Assignment Period ”), I incorporate or have incorporated into a Company product, program, service or other work a Prior Development owned by me or in which I have an interest, then I hereby grant the Company a non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to make, have made, copy, modify, make derivative works of, use, sell and otherwise distribute such Prior Development, to the extent of my interest therein, as part of or in connection with such product, program, service or work.

 

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(b) Assignment of Developments . I hereby assign to the Company all my right, title and interest throughout the world (if any) in and to any and all (i) inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), all improvements thereto, and all patents, patent applications, and patent disclosures, together with all reissuances, continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, extensions and reexaminations thereof, (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, titles and working titles, together with all translations, adaptations, derivations, and combinations thereof and including all goodwill associated therewith, and all applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith, (iii) copyrightable works, all copyrights, and all applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith, (iv) trade secrets and confidential business information (excluding general industry knowledge and contacts) and all ideas, research and development, know-how, formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, technical data, designs, drawings, specifications, technology, systems, and business and marketing plans and proposals, (v) rights in and to computer software (including object code, source code, data and related documentation), (vi) Internet Web sites, including domain name registrations and content and software included therein, (vii) other proprietary rights, including, without limitation, original works of authorship, content, dialogue, plots, scripts, scenarios, music programming, formats, graphics, productions, products, programs, services, concepts, moral rights, rights to characters, actions, acts, gags, routines, materials, ideas, names, likeness, image, personality, publicity etc., (viii) rights to exploit, collect remuneration for, and recover for past infringements of any of the foregoing and (ix) copies and tangible embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium), whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, which I may solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to practice or cause to be conceived or developed or reduced to practice, or have conceived or developed or reduced to practice or have caused to be conceived or developed or reduced to practice, during the Employment Period, whether or not during regular working hours, in each case only if the applicable item (A) relates at the time of conception or development to the actual or demonstrably proposed business or research and development activities of the Company; (B) results from or relates to any work performed by me for the Company; or (C) is developed through the use of Confidential Information and/or resources of the Company (collectively referred to as “ Developments ”). I further acknowledge that all Developments which are or were made by me (solely or jointly with others) during the Assignment Period are “works made for hire” as to my contribution (to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law) for which I am, in part, compensated by my salary, unless regulated otherwise by law, but that, in the event any such Development is deemed not to be a work made for hire, I hereby assign any right, title and interest throughout the world in any such Development to the Company or its designee. If any Developments cannot be assigned, I hereby grant to the Company an exclusive, assignable, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, sublicenseable (through one or multiple tiers), royalty-free, unlimited license to use, make, modify, sell, offer for sale, reproduce, distribute, create derivative works of, publicly perform, publicly display and digitally perform and display such work in any media now known or hereafter known. Outside the scope of my service, whether during or after my employment with the Company, I agree not to (x) modify, adapt, alter, translate, or create derivative works from any such work of authorship or (y) merge any such work of authorship with other Developments. To the extent rights related to paternity, integrity, disclosure and withdrawal (collectively, “ Moral Rights ”) may not be assignable under applicable law and to the extent the following is allowed by the laws in the various countries where Moral Rights exist, I hereby irrevocably waive such Moral Rights in and to all or any Developments and consent to any action of the Company Group that would violate such Moral Rights in the absence of such consent.

 

(c) Maintenance of Records . I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current written records of all Developments made by me (solely or jointly with others) during the Assignment Period. The records may be in the form of notes, sketches, drawings, flow charts, electronic data or recordings, and any other format. The records will be available to and remain the sole property of the Company at all times. I agree not to remove such records from the Company’s place of business except as expressly permitted by Company policy, which may, from time to time, be revised at the sole election of the Company for the purpose of furthering the business of the Company.

 

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(d) Intellectual Property Rights . I agree to assist the Company, or its designee, at the Company’s expense, in every way to secure the rights of the Company in the Developments and any copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, database rights, domain names, mask work rights, moral rights, or other intellectual property rights relating thereto in any and all countries, including the disclosure to the Company of all pertinent information and data with respect thereto, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments, recordations, and all other instruments which the Company shall deem necessary in order to apply for, obtain, maintain and transfer such rights and in order to assign and convey to the Company the sole and exclusive right, title and interest in and to such Developments, and any intellectual property or other proprietary rights relating thereto. I further agree that my obligation to execute or cause to be executed, when it is in my power to do so, any such instrument or papers shall continue after the Assignment Period until the expiration of the last such intellectual property right to expire in any country of the world; provided, however, the Company shall reimburse me for my reasonable expenses incurred in connection with carrying out the foregoing obligation. If the Company is unable because of my mental or physical incapacity or unavailability for any other reason to secure my signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any United States or foreign patents or copyright registrations covering Developments or original works of authorship assigned to the Company as above, then I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney in fact, to act for and in my behalf and stead only to execute and file any such applications or records and only to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the application for, prosecution, issuance, maintenance or transfer of letters patent or registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect as if originally executed by me. I hereby waive and irrevocably quitclaim to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, which I now or hereafter have for past, present or future infringement of any and all proprietary rights assigned to the Company hereunder.

 

Section 3. Returning Company Group Documents. I agree that, at the time of termination of my employment with the Company for any reason, or earlier if reasonably requested, I will deliver to the Company (and will not keep in my possession, recreate, or deliver to anyone else) any and all Confidential Information and all other documents, materials, information, and property developed by me pursuant to my employment or otherwise belonging to the Company. I agree further that any property situated on the Company’s premises and owned by the Company (or any other member of the Company Group), including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets, and other work areas, is subject to inspection by personnel of any member of the Company Group at any time with or without notice.

 

Section 4. Disclosure of Agreement. As long as it remains in effect, I will disclose the existence of this Confidentiality Agreement to any prospective employer, partner, co-venturer, investor, or lender prior to entering into an employment, partnership, or other business relationship with such person or entity.

 

Section 5. Restrictions on Interfering.

 

(a) Non-Interference . During the period of my employment with the Company (the “ Employment Period ”) and the Post-Termination Non-Interference Period, I shall not, directly or indirectly for my own account or for the account of any other individual or entity, engage in Interfering Activities.

 

(b) Definitions . For purposes of this Confidentiality Agreement:

 

(i) “ Business Relation ” shall mean any current or prospective client, customer, licensee, account, supplier or other business relation of the Company Group, or any such relation that was a client, customer, licensee, account, supplier, or other business relation within the six (6) month period prior to the expiration of the Employment Period, in each case, to whom I provided services, or with whom I transacted business.

 

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(ii) “ Interfering Activities ” means (A) encouraging, soliciting, or inducing, or in any manner attempting to encourage, solicit, or induce, any Person employed by, or providing consulting services to, any member of the Company Group(each, a “ Restricted Associate ”) to terminate such Person’s employment or services (or in the case of a consultant, materially reducing such services) with the Company Group, provided that the foregoing shall not be violated by general advertising not targeted at employees or consultants of any member of the Company Group; or (B) encouraging, soliciting, or inducing, or in any manner attempting to encourage, solicit, or induce, any Business Relation to cease doing business with or reduce the amount of business conducted with the Company Group, or in any way interfering with the relationship between any such Business Relation and the Company Group. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes hereof the term “Interfering Activities” excludes my taking all or any of the following actions, whether for my account or benefit or for the account or benefit of any other Person: (x) hiring any Restricted Associate or engaging any Restricted Associate to otherwise render services (whether consulting or otherwise), so long as in connection therewith I do not knowingly encourage, induce, or solicit, or knowingly attempt to encourage, induce, or solicit, the respective Restricted Associate in violation of the above clause (A) of this definition; (y) engaging in, accepting, or otherwise conducting business with any Business Relation, so long as in connection therewith I do not knowingly encourage, solicit, or induce, or knowingly attempt to encourage, solicit, or induce, the respective Business Relation in violation of the above clause (C) of this definition; or (z) communicating, or any Person at my direction communicating, to any Persons, including, without limitation, any Restricted Associate or any Business Relation, by any means, method, media, or format now or hereafter known (including, without limitation, via any present or future social media service, such as, without limitation, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter), any change in my employment, including, but not limited to, the cessation of my employment with the Company or my employment with any Person other than the Company.

 

(iii) “ Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust (charitable or non-charitable), unincorporated organization, or other form of business entity.

 

(iv) “ Post-Termination Non-Interference Period ” means the period commencing on the date of the termination of my employment with the Company for any reason and ending on the twenty-four (24) month anniversary of such date of termination.

 

Section 6. Reasonableness of Restrictions. I acknowledge and recognize the highly competitive nature of the Company’s business, that access to Confidential Information renders me special and unique within the Company’s industry, and that I will have the opportunity to develop substantial relationships with existing and prospective clients, accounts, customers, consultants, contractors, investors, and strategic partners of the Company Group during the course of and as a result of my employment with the Company. In light of the foregoing, I recognize and acknowledge that the restrictions and limitations set forth in this Confidentiality Agreement are reasonable and valid in geographical and temporal scope and in all other respects and are essential to protect the value of the business and assets of the Company Group. I acknowledge further that the restrictions and limitations set forth in this Confidentiality Agreement will not materially interfere with my ability to earn a living following the termination of my employment with the Company and that my ability to earn a livelihood without violating such restrictions is a material condition to my employment with the Company.

 

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Section 7. Independence; Severability; Blue Pencil. Each of the rights enumerated in this Confidentiality Agreement shall be independent of the others and shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any other rights and remedies available to the Company Group at law or in equity. If any of the provisions of this Confidentiality Agreement or any part of any of them is hereafter construed or adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the remainder of this Confidentiality Agreement, which shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid portions.

 

Section 8. Injunctive Relief. I expressly acknowledge that any breach or threatened breach of any of the terms and/or conditions set forth in this Confidentiality Agreement may result in substantial, continuing, and irreparable injury to the members of the Company Group. Therefore, I hereby agree that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to the Company, any member of the Company Group shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief, specific performance, or other equitable relief by a court of appropriate jurisdiction in the event of any breach or threatened breach of the terms of this Confidentiality Agreement without the necessity of posting of a bond.

 

Section 9. General Provisions.

 

(a) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Arbitration . Except where preempted by federal law, all matters in connection with, relating to, or arising from this Confidentiality Agreement, including, without limitation, the validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Confidentiality Agreement, is governed by and is to be construed under the laws of the state of Delaware applicable to agreements made and to be performed in that state, without regard to conflict of laws rules of the State of Delaware that would result in the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the state of Delaware.

 

To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with this Confidentiality Agreement, the parties hereto agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Confidentiality Agreement, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS (Los Angeles office) or its successor, under JAMS’ then applicable rules and procedures for employment disputes (available upon request and also currently available at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration ). I acknowledge that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, each of the parties hereto waives the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. In addition, all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by me or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. To the extent that the preceding sentences regarding class claims or proceedings are found to violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable, any claim(s) alleged or brought on behalf of a class shall proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. I will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The parties hereto agree that the existence of such arbitration proceeding, the nature and facts thereof and any award made therein shall be confidential and not disclosed to any third parties. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that Executive or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. Each party hereto shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with such arbitration. The parties hereto consent and submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the Superior Court of the State of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, each located in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, to compel arbitration in accordance with this Confidentiality Agreement, to enforce any arbitration award granted pursuant to this Confidentiality Agreement, including, any award granting equitable or injunctive relief, and to otherwise enforce this Confidentiality Agreement and carry out the intentions of the Parties to resolve all disputes arising under or in connection with this Confidentiality Agreement through arbitration. Nothing in this Confidentiality Agreement is intended to prevent either party hereto from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.

 

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(b) Entire Agreement . This Confidentiality Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and me relating to the subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions and communications between the Company and me relating to the same. No modification or amendment to this Confidentiality Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Confidentiality Agreement, will be effective unless in writing and signed and delivered by each of the Company and me. Any subsequent change or changes in my duties, obligations, rights, or compensation will not affect the validity or scope of this Confidentiality Agreement.

 

(c) Successors and Assigns . Section 13 of the Services Agreement is incorporated into this Confidentiality Agreement by reference, mutatis mutandis . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Services Agreement or in this Confidentiality Agreement, the Company is prohibited from assigning or delegating all or any portion of this Confidentiality Agreement except in compliance with this Section 9(c) in connection with an assignment or delegation of the Services Agreement that is effected in compliance with Section 13 of the Services Agreement. Subject to the two immediately preceding sentences, this Confidentiality Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, and other legal representatives and will be binding upon and for the benefit of the Company, its successors, and its assigns.

 

(d) Survival . The provisions of this Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the termination of my employment with the Company and/or the assignment, in compliance with the requirements hereof, of this Confidentiality Agreement by the Company to any successor in interest or other assignee, in each case subject to the temporal limitations contained herein.

 

(e) Construction . Each party hereto has had an adequate opportunity to have this Confidentiality Agreement reviewed by counsel. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Confidentiality Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto. This Confidentiality Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption, rule or burden of proof regarding the favoring or disfavoring of any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Confidentiality Agreement. In the event any of the provisions of this Confidentiality Agreement conflict with any of the provisions of the Services Agreement, the respective provisions of the Services Agreement govern and control.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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I, Dr. Julian Kenyon, have executed this Confidentiality, Non-Interference, and Invention Assignment Agreement on the date set forth below:

 

Date: May 14, 2019 /s/ Julian Kenyon
  (Signature)
   
   
  Dr. Julian Kenyon

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

 

PROPANC BIOPHARMA, INC.

 

By: /s/ James Nathanielsz  
Name: James Nathanielsz  
Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

[Propanc Biopharma, Inc./Kenyon Services Agreement – Exhibit A Signature Page]

 

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EXHIBIT “B”

 

[FORM OF]

 

MUTUAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

This Mutual Release of Claims (this “ Release ”), is entered into as of the date of the last signature below, by and between Propanc Biopharma, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and James Nathanielsz (“ Executive ”) and is executed by each of the Company and Executive pursuant to Section [4.6] of that certain Amended and Restated Services Agreement, dated May ___, 2019 (the “ Services Agreement ”), by and between the Company and Executive. Capitalized terms used in this Release without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Services Agreement. Executive and the Company sometimes are referred to herein collectively as the “Parties” and each individually as a “Party”. The Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1. Release by Executive . Executive, on his own behalf and on behalf of his descendants, dependents, heirs, devisees, legatees, executors, administrators, legal or personal representatives, trustees, assigns, and successors (individually and collectively, the “ Executive Parties ”), and each of them, hereby acknowledges full and complete satisfaction of and releases and discharges the Company, and each of its Affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, or parents,, past and present, and each of them, as well as their respective predecessors, assignees, successors, directors, officers, stockholders, partners, representatives, attorneys, agents or employees, past or present, or any of them (individually and collectively, the “ Company Parties ”), from and with respect to any and all claims, agreements, obligations, demands and causes of action, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Executive has ever had, or now has, or ever will have, against the Company Parties by reason of any and all acts, omissions, conditions, events, circumstances, or facts existing, occurring, or failing to occur at any time through the date of Executive’s execution of this Release that directly or indirectly arise out of, relate to, or are connected in any way with Executive’s employment by, services to (whether as an employee, officer, director, or otherwise), or separation from, all or any of the Company Parties, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, or any other federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance relating to employment (the foregoing, as modified by the following clause, collectively, the “ Executive Released Claims ”); except that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the release set forth in this Section 1 expressly excludes, and shall not alter, limit, release, apply to, or otherwise affect, and the term Executive Released Claims shall not include; (a) the obligations and covenants of the Company and the rights of Executive in each case that, directly or by implication, survive the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to Section [16] of the Services Agreement; (b) any claim that is prohibited from being released as a matter of law; (c) Executive’s rights to tail indemnification or contribution, whether pursuant to the governance documents of any of the Company Parties (including, without limitation, pursuant to any certificate of incorporation, bylaws or any written agreements) or Section [3.7] of the Services Agreement (d) any rights or claims of Executive as a stockholder of the Company; (e) any vested rights or vested benefits under ERISA or under any Benefit Plan; (f) workers’ compensation benefits; and (g) any claims arising after the date of Executive’s execution of this Release.

 

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2. It is a condition hereof, and it is the Parties’ intention in the execution of this Release, that the release set forth in Section 1 above shall be effective as a bar to each and all of the Executive Released Claims.

 

3. ADEA Waiver . Executive expressly acknowledges and agrees that by entering into this Release, he is waiving any and all rights or claims that he may have arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (“ ADEA ”), which have arisen on or before the date of execution of this Release. Executive further expressly acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(a) In return for this Release, he will receive consideration beyond that which he was already entitled to receive before entering into this Release;

 

(b) He is hereby advised in writing by this Release to consult with an attorney before signing this Release;

 

(c) He was given a copy of this Release on [_________] , and informed that he had twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Release, that changes (whether material or otherwise) will not restart the 21-day period;

 

(d) Nothing in this Release prevents or precludes Executive from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs from doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law; and

 

(e) He was informed that he has seven (7) days following the date of execution of this Release in which to revoke this Release, and this Release will become null and void if Executive so elects revocation during that time. Any revocation must be in writing and must be received by the Company during the seven (7)-day revocation period. In the event that Executive exercises his right of revocation, neither the Company nor Executive will have any obligations under this Release.

 

4. Release by Company . The Company, on behalf of itself and each and all of the other Company Parties, hereby acknowledges full and complete satisfaction of and releases and discharges each and all of the Executive Parties from and with respect to any and all claims, agreements, obligations, demands and causes of action, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that all or any of the Company Parties have ever had, or now have, or ever will have, against all or any of the Executive Parties by reason of any and all acts, omissions, conditions, events, circumstances, or facts existing, occurring, or failing to occur at any time through the date of the Company’s execution of this Release that directly or indirectly arise out of, relate to, or are connected with Executive’s employment by, services to (whether as an employee, officer, director, or otherwise), or separation from, all or any of the Company Parties(the foregoing, as modified by the following clause, collectively, the “Company Released Claims ”); except that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the release set forth in this Section 4 expressly excludes, and shall not alter, limit, release, apply to, or otherwise affect, and the term Company Released Claims shall not include (a) the obligations of Executive that survive the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company pursuant to Section 16 of the Services Agreement and that certain Confidentiality, Non-Interference, and Invention Assignment Agreement dated [*] between the Company and Executive; and (b) any claims arising after the date of the Company’s execution of this Release.

 

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5. It is a condition hereof, and it is the Parties’ intention in the execution of this Agreement, that the release set forth in Section 4 above shall be effective as a bar to each and all of the Company Released Claims.

 

6. No Transferred Claims . Executive represents and warrants to the Company, that he has not heretofore assigned or transferred to any person or entity any of the Executive Released Claims or any part or portion thereof. The Company represents and warrants to Executive that it has not heretofore assigned or transferred to any person or entity any of the Company Released Claims or any part or portion thereof.

 

7. Miscellaneous . The following provisions shall apply for purposes of this Release:

 

(a) Section Headings . The section headings contained in this Release are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Release.

 

(b) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Arbitration . All matters in connection with, relating to, or arising from this Release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof (to the extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be required thereby).

 

To ensure the rapid and economical resolution of disputes that may arise in connection with this Release, the Parties agree that any and all disputes, claims, or causes of action, in law or equity, including but not limited to statutory claims, arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance, or interpretation of this Release, Executive’s employment with the Company, or the termination of his employment, shall be resolved, to the fullest extent permitted by law, by final, binding and confidential arbitration conducted by JAMS (Los Angeles office) or its successor, under JAMS’ then applicable rules and procedures for employment disputes (available upon request and also currently available at http://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration ). Executive acknowledges that by agreeing to this arbitration procedure, each of the Parties waives the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. In addition, all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this section, whether by Executive or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. To the extent that the preceding sentences regarding class claims or proceedings are found to violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable, any claim(s) alleged or brought on behalf of a class shall proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. Executive will have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written statement signed by the arbitrator regarding the disposition of each claim and the relief, if any, awarded as to each claim, the reasons for the award, and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based. The Parties agree that the existence of such arbitration proceeding, the nature and facts thereof and any award made therein shall be strictly confidential and not disclosed to any third parties (except as maybe necessary to enforce any arbitration award granted pursuant to this Release, including, any award granting equitable or injunctive relief, and to otherwise enforce this Release). The arbitrator shall be authorized to award all relief that Executive or the Company would be entitled to seek in a court of law. Each party shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with such arbitration. The Parties consent and submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of the Superior Court of the State of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, each located in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, to compel arbitration in accordance with this Release, to enforce any arbitration award granted pursuant to this Release, including, any award granting equitable or injunctive relief, and to otherwise enforce this Release and carry out the intentions of the Parties to resolve all disputes arising under or in connection with this Release through arbitration. Nothing in this Release is intended to prevent either Party from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.

 

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(c) Amendments . This Release may be amended, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by Executive and the Company or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party waiving compliance.

 

(d) Waivers .

 

(i) Except as otherwise provided herein, no action taken pursuant to this Release, including any investigation by or on behalf of any Party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Party taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Release. Any term, covenant, agreement, obligation, undertaking, condition, representation or warranty under this Release may be waived at any time by the Party which is entitled to the benefit thereof, but only by a written notice signed by such Party expressly waiving such term, covenant, agreement, obligation, undertaking, condition, representation or warranty.

 

(ii) The failure of any Party to insist, in any one or more instances, upon performance of the terms or conditions of this Release shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any right granted hereunder or of the future performance of any such term, covenant or condition. No waiver on the part of any Party of any right, power or privilege, nor any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege, shall preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege.

 

(e) Severability . Any provision of this Release which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Release, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction will not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. To the extent permitted by law, the Parties waive any provision of law which renders any such provision prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

 

(f) Counterparts . This Release may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and it will not be necessary in making proof of this Release or the terms of this Release to produce or account for more than one of such counterparts. All counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each Party may execute this Release via a facsimile (or transmission of a PDF file) of a counterpart of this Release. In addition, facsimile or PDF signatures of authorized signatories of any Party shall be valid and binding and delivery of a facsimile or PDF signature by any Party shall constitute due execution and delivery of this Release.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Company and Executive has executed this Release as of the respective date set forth below.

 

  PROPANC BIOPHARMA, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  JULIAN KENYON
                      
   
  (signature)

 

[Propanc Biopharma, Inc./Kenyon Services Agreement – Exhibit B Signature Page]

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

PROPANC BIOPHARMA, INC.

 

2019 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Purposes of the Plan . The purposes of this Plan are:

 

  to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
     
  to provide incentives to individuals who perform services for the Company, and
     
  to promote the success of the Company’s business.

 

The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.

 

2. Definitions . As used herein, the following definitions will apply:

 

(a) “ Administrator ” means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

 

(b) “ Affiliate ” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.

 

(c) “ Applicable Laws ” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. federal and state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plans.

 

(d) “ Award ” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.

 

(e) “ Award Agreement ” means the written agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(f) “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(g) “ Change in Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events after the Effective Date:

 

  (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 stock in the Company that, together with the stock already held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any Person who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company before the acquisition will not be considered a Change in Control; or
     
  (ii) The individuals who constitute the members of the Board cease, by reason of a financing, merger, combination, acquisition, takeover or other non-ordinary course transaction affecting the Company, to constitute at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the members of the Board; or
     
  (iii) The consummation of any of the following events: (A) 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) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions, or (B) a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company, where either or both of the events described in clauses (i) or (ii) above would be the result. 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 or a Change in Control: (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, 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, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total equity or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in subsection (iii)(B)(3) above. 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 Section 2(g), persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation or other entity that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

 

(h) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.

 

(i) “ Committee ” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

 

(j) “ Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company.

 

(k) “ Company ” means Propanc Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

(l) “ Consultant ” means any person, including an advisor, other than an Employee engaged by the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to render services to such entity.

 

(m) “ Determination Date ” means the latest possible date that will not jeopardize the qualification of an Award granted under the Plan as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(n) “ Director ” means a member of the Board.

 

(o) “ Disability ” means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

 

(p) “ Effective Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 18 hereof.

 

(q) “ Employee ” means any person, including Officers and Directors, other than a Consultant employed by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

 

(r) “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(s) “ Exchange Program ” means a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type, and/or cash, and/or (ii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced. The Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of any Exchange Program in its sole discretion.

 

(t) “ Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock as the Administrator may determine in good faith, by reference to the closing price of such stock on any established stock exchange or on a national market system on the day of determination, if the Common Stock is so listed on any established stock exchange or on a national market system. If the Common Stock is not listed on any established stock exchange or on a national market system, the value of the Common Stock will be determined as the Administrator may determine in good faith using (i) a valuation methodology set forth in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(B) or (ii) with respect to valuations applicable to Awards that are not subject to Code Section 409A, such other valuation methods as the Administrator may select.

 

(u) “ Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Company.

 

(v) “ Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(w) “ Nonstatutory Stock Option ” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or expressly provides that it is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(x) “ Officer ” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(y) “ Option ” means a stock option granted pursuant to Section 6 hereof.

 

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(z) “ Parent ” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

(aa) “ Participant ” means the holder of an outstanding Award.

 

(bb) “ Performance Goals ” will have the meaning set forth in Section 11 hereof.

 

(cc) “ Performance Period ” means any Fiscal Year of the Company or such other period as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

(dd) “ Performance Share ” means an Award denominated in Shares which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

 

(ee) “ Performance Unit ” means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

 

(ff) “ Period of Restriction ” means the period during which transfers of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and, therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events specified in the applicable Award, as interpreted and construed by the Administrator.

 

(gg) “ Plan ” means this 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(hh) “ Restricted Stock ” means Shares issued pursuant to an Award of Restricted Stock under Section 8 hereof, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.

 

(ii) “ Restricted Stock Unit ” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.

 

(jj) “ Rule 16b-3 ” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.

 

(kk) “ Section 16(b) ” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

(ll) “ Service Provider ” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

 

(mm) “ Share ” means a share of Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 14 hereof.

 

(nn) “ Stock Appreciation Right ” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 7 is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.

 

(oo) “ Subsidiary ” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

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3. Stock Subject to the Plan .

 

(a) Maximum Aggregate Number of Shares . Subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be awarded and sold under the Plan is One Hundred and Seventeen Million (117,000,000) Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

 

(b) Lapsed Awards . If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right settled in Shares, the gross number of Shares covered by the portion of the Award so settled will cease to be available under the Plan. Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if unvested Shares of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares subject to an Award that are transferred to or retained by the Company to pay the tax and/or exercise price of an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan and, for the elimination of doubt, the number of Shares of equal value to such cash payment shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(b), subject to adjustment provided in Section 14 hereof, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number stated in Section 3(a) above, plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan under this Section 3(b).

 

(c) Share Reserve . The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

 

4. Administration of the Plan .

 

(a) Procedure .

 

  (i) Multiple Administrative Bodies . Different Committees may be established with respect to different groups of Service Providers; in that event, the Committee established with respect to a group of Service Providers shall administer the Plan with respect to Awards granted to members of such group.
     
  (ii) Section 162(m) . To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Awards granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and if the Company is then a “publicly held corporation” as defined therein, the Plan will be administered by a Committee of two (2) or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
     
  (iii) Rule 16b-3 . To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
     
  (iv) Other Administration . Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

 

(b) Powers of the Administrator . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:

 

  (i) to determine Fair Market Value;
     
  (ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;
     
  (iii) to determine the terms and condition, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder;
     
  (iv) to institute an Exchange Program and to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, for (1) the surrender or cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for Awards of the same type, Awards of a different type, and/or cash, or (2) the reduction of the exercise price of outstanding Awards;
     
  (v) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;
     
  (vi) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws;
     
  (vii) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 19(c) hereof);
     
  (viii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to reflect or implement the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;
     
  (ix) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may determine consistent with the requirements for compliance with or exemption from the provisions of Code Section 409A; and
     
  (x) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

 

(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision . The Administrator’s decisions, determinations, and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.

 

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5. Eligibility .

 

(a) General Rule . Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and such other cash or stock awards as the Administrator determines may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

 

6. Stock Options .

 

(a) Limitations .

 

  (i) Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000 (U.S.), such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
     
  (ii) Subject to the limits set forth in Section 3, the Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Shares subject to an Option granted to any Participant.

 

(b) Term of Option . The Administrator will determine the term of each Option in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof in the case of Incentive Stock Options Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option will be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.

 

(c) Option Exercise Price and Consideration .

 

  (i) Exercise Price . The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, but will be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. In addition, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(c), Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to the issuance or assumption of an Option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies in a manner consistent with said Section 424(a). In no event may any Option granted under the Plan be amended, other than pursuant to Section 14, to decrease the exercise price thereof, be cancelled in conjunction with the grant of any Option with a lower exercise price, be cancelled for cash or other Award or otherwise be subject to any action that would be treated, for accounting purposes, as a “repricing” of such Option, unless such amendment, cancellation, or action is approved by the Company’s stockholders.
     
  (ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates . At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.
     
  (iii) Form of Consideration . The Administrator will determine the acceptable form(s) of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

(d) Exercise of Option .

 

  (i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder . Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
     
    An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator specifies from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with any applicable withholding taxes). No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 14 hereof.

 

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  (ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider . If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s termination as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by Award Agreement or by operation of this Section 6(d)(3), the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
     
  (iii) Disability of Participant . If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of cessation (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following the date the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of cessation the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after cessation the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
     
  (iv) Death of Participant . If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will continue to vest in accordance with the Award Agreement. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

7. Stock Appreciation Rights .

 

(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.

 

(b) Number of Shares . The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any Participant.

 

(c) Exercise Price and Other Terms . The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan; provided, however, that the exercise price will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. Exercise Price. In no event may any Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan be amended, other than pursuant to Section 14, to decrease the exercise price thereof, be cancelled in conjunction with the grant of any Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price, be cancelled for cash or other Award or otherwise be subject to any action that would be treated, for accounting purposes, as a “repricing” of such Stock Appreciation Right, unless such amendment, cancellation, or action is approved by the Company’s stockholders.

 

(d) Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement . Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the number of Shares with respect to which the Award is granted, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(e) Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights . A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(d) above also will apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(f) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount . Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

 

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  (i)

The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the “stock appreciation right exercise price,” as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(i)(B)(2), i.e ., the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right; times

 

  (ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

 

At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

 

8. Restricted Stock .

 

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock . Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(b) Restricted Stock Agreement . Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(c) Transferability . Except as provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until such Shares become non-forfeitable at the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

(d) Other Restrictions . The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.

 

(e) Removal of Restrictions . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

 

(f) Voting Rights . During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise in a manner not prohibited by the Award Agreement.

 

(g) Dividends and Other Distributions . During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and provisions for forfeiture as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

 

(h) Return of Restricted Stock to Company . On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

(i) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions . For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may condition the lapse of restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before the Determination Date. In granting Restricted Stock which is intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

9. Restricted Stock Units .

 

(a) Grant . Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. Each Restricted Stock Unit grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, including all terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, the number of Restricted Stock Units and the form of payout, which, subject to Section 9(d) hereof, may be left to the discretion of the Administrator.

 

(b) Vesting Criteria and Other Terms . The Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. After the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any restrictions for such Restricted Stock Units. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the vesting criteria, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion will determine. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed, subject to the prohibition on acceleration of the timing of distribution of deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable to the Award.

 

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(c) Earning Restricted Stock Units . Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as specified in the Award Agreement.

 

(d) Form and Timing of Payment . Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) set forth in the Award Agreement, which shall satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable to such Award. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof. Shares represented by Restricted Stock Units that are fully paid in cash again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

(e) Cancellation . On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.

 

(f) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions . For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock Units as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before the Determination Date. In granting Restricted Stock Units which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

10. Performance Units and Performance Shares .

 

(a) Grant of Performance Units/Shares . Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units/Shares granted to each Participant.

 

(b) Value of Performance Units/Shares . Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

 

(c) Performance Objectives and Other Terms . The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(d) Earning of Performance Units/Shares . After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Unit/Share.

 

(e) Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares . Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period or, if earlier, after the date on which a Participant’s interest in such Performance Units/Shares is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, provided however, that in no event shall such payment be made after the later to occur of (i) December 31 of the year in which such risk of forfeiture lapses or (ii) two and one-half months after such risk of forfeiture lapses. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.

 

(f) Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares . On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

(g) Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions . For purposes of qualifying grants of Performance Units/Shares as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals will be set by the Administrator on or before the Determination Date. In granting Performance Units/Shares which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator will follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Award under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

 

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11. Performance-Based Compensation Under Code Section 162(m) .

 

(a) General . If the Administrator, in its discretion, decides to grant an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), the provisions of this Section 11 will control over any contrary provision in the Plan; provided, however, that the Administrator may in its discretion grant Awards that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code to such Participants that are based on Performance Goals or other specific criteria or goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Section 11.

 

(b) Performance Goals . The granting and/or vesting of Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units and other incentives under the Plan may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals relating to one or more business criteria within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement (“ Performance Goals ”) including (i) earnings per Share, (ii) operating cash flow, (iii) operating income, (iv) profit after-tax, (v) profit before-tax, (vi) return on assets, (vii) return on equity, (viii) return on sales, (ix) revenue, and (x) total shareholder return. Any Performance Goals may be used to measure the performance of the Company as a whole or a business unit of the Company and may be measured relative to a peer group or index. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. Prior to the Determination Date, the Administrator will determine whether any significant element(s) will be included in or excluded from the calculation of any Performance Goal with respect to any Participant.

 

(c) Procedures . To the extent necessary to comply with the performance-based compensation provisions of Code Section 162(m), with respect to any Award granted subject to Performance Goals, within the first twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period, but in no event more than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any Performance Period (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Code Section 162(m)), the Administrator will, in writing, (i) designate one or more Participants to whom an Award will be made, (ii) select the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Period, (iii) establish the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period, and (iv) specify the relationship between Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Participant for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period but in no event later than December 31 of the year in which such Performance Period ends or, if later, the date that is two and one-half months after the end of such Performance Period, the Administrator will certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period and pay any amount to which a Participant is entitled under an Award with respect to such Performance Period. In determining the amounts earned by a Participant, the Administrator will have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Administrator may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period. A Participant will be eligible to receive payment pursuant to an Award for a Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.

 

(d) Additional Limitations . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which is granted to a Participant and is intended to constitute qualified performance based compensation under Code Section 162(m) will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in the Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m)) or any regulations and ruling issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as qualified performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan will be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

12. Leaves of Absence . Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Service Provider will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company, or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed three (3) months, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then six (6) months and one day following the commencement of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

13. Transferability of Awards . Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award may only be transferred (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution, (iii) to a revocable trust, or (iv) as permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

14. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control .

 

(a) Adjustments . In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limits set forth in Sections 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 hereof.

 

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(b) Dissolution or Liquidation . In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

 

(c) Change in Control . In the event of a merger or Change in Control, each outstanding Award will be treated as the Administrator determines, including, without limitation, that each Award will be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation (the “ Successor Corporation ”). The Administrator will not be required to treat all Awards similarly in the transaction.

 

In the event that the Successor Corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse, and, with respect to Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed or substituted for in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

 

For the purposes of this subsection (c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise of which the Administrator determines to settle in cash or a Performance Share or Performance Unit which the Administrator can determine to settle in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the Successor Corporation, the Administrator may, with the consent of the Successor Corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Performance Share or Performance Unit, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Performance Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Performance Units by the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control), to be solely common stock of the Successor Corporation equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 14(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the Successor Corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.

 

15. Tax Withholding

 

(a) Withholding Requirements . Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

 

(b) Withholding Arrangements . The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (iv) selling a sufficient number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant through such means as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

 

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16. No Effect on Employment or Service . Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

17. Date of Grant . The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

 

18. Term of Plan . Subject to Section 22 hereof, the Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board (the “ Effective Date ”). It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 19 hereof; provided, however, that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of this Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.

 

19. Amendment and Termination of the Plan .

 

(a) Amendment and Termination . The Administrator may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

 

(b) Stockholder Approval . The Company will obtain stockholder approval of the Plan and any Plan amendment to the extent necessary or desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination . No amendment, alteration, suspension, or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

20. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares .

 

(a) Legal Compliance . Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

 

(b) Investment Representations . As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

 

(c) Restrictive Legends . All Award Agreements and all securities of the Company issued pursuant thereto shall bear such legends regarding restrictions on transfer and such other legends as the appropriate officer of the Company shall determine to be necessary or advisable to comply with applicable securities and other laws.

 

21. Inability to Obtain Authority . The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.

 

22. Stockholder Approval . The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws, including without limitation Section 422 of the Code. In the event that stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, all Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be void ab initio and of no effect. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no Awards shall be exercisable until the date of such stockholder approval.

 

23. Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code . If any Service Provider shall, in connection with the acquisition of Shares under the Plan, make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, such Service Provider shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service and provide the Company with a copy thereof, in addition to any filing and a notification required pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of Section 83(b) of the Code. A Service Provider shall not be permitted to make a Section 83(b) election with respect to an Award of a Restricted Stock Unit.

 

24. Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code . Each Service Provider shall notify the Company of any disposition of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), within ten (10) days of such disposition.

 

25. 409A Timing Rule for Specified Employees . If at the time of a Service Provider’s separation from service, such individual is considered a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and if any payment that such Service Provider becomes entitled to under the Plan or any Award is deemed payable on account of such individual’s separation from service, then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the individual’s separation from service, or (ii) the individual’s death.

 

26. Governing Law . The law of the State of Delaware shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of laws rules, subject to the Company’s intention that the Plan satisfy the requirements of jurisdictions outside of the United States of America with respect to Awards subject to such jurisdictions.

 

[ Remainder of the page intentionally left blank ]

 

Approved by the Board on May 14, 2019.

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnification Agreement (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of ____________ ___, 20__ (the “ Effective Date ”), is made by and between Propanc Biopharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and _______________________ (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

A. Indemnitee’s service to the Company substantially benefits the Company.

 

B. Individuals are reluctant to serve as directors or officers of corporations or in certain other capacities unless they are provided with adequate assurance of protection through insurance or indemnification against the risks of claims and actions against them arising out of such service.

 

C. Indemnitee does not regard the protection currently provided by applicable law, the Company’s governing documents and any insurance as adequate under the present circumstances, and Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as a director or officer without additional protection.

 

D. In order to induce Indemnitee to continue to provide services to the Company, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to contractually obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, Indemnitee as permitted by applicable law.

 

E. This Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the indemnification provided in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and applicable law, and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and this Agreement shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor shall this Agreement be deemed to limit, diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

The parties therefore agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions.

 

(a) A “ Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

(i) Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; provided that any acquisition or disposition of the Company’s securities by James Nathanielsz and/or his affiliates shall not be deemed to result in a Change in Control;

 

(ii) Change in Board Composition. Individuals who on the date of this Agreement are members of the Company’s board of directors (the “ Incumbent Board ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors (the “ Board ”) (provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new member of the Board was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board);

 

(iii) Corporate Transactions. A merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least half of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; and

 

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(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

For purposes of this Section 1(a), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(1) “ Person ” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act” ); provided, however, that “ Person ” shall exclude (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

(2) “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that “Beneficial Owner” shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of (i) the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity or (ii) the Board approving a sale of securities by the Company to such Person.

 

(b) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or any other Enterprise.

 

(c) “ DGCL ” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

(d) “ Enterprise ” means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.

 

(e) “ Expenses ” include all retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees and costs of experts, witness fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses actually and reasonably, and of the types customarily, incurred by Indemnitee, or on his or her behalf, in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersede as bond or other appeal bond or their equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 11(d), Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

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(f) “ Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a partner or member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither currently is, as of the time the request for indemnification is made nor in the previous five (5) years has been, retained to represent (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than as Independent Counsel with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “ Independent Counsel ” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then-prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

(g) “ Proceeding ” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or proceeding, or claim, issue or matter therein, whether brought in the right of the Company, a Subsidiary or otherwise, and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, including any appeal therefrom, and including without limitation any such Proceeding pending as of the Effective Date, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, a potential party, a non-party witness or otherwise by reason of (i) the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company or of a Subsidiary, or (ii) the fact or assertion that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company or of a Subsidiary as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company, a Subsidiary or any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

(h) “ Subsidiary ” means any entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities is owned directly or indirectly by the Company.

 

(i) Reference to “ other enterprises ” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “ fines ” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “ serving at the request of the Company ” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of a Subsidiary which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “ not opposed to the best interests of the Company ” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

2. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 2, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if, and only if, such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) in connection with such Proceeding , if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

3. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses in connection with such Proceeding, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification for Expenses shall be made under this Section 3 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such Expenses as the Court shall deem proper.

 

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4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. To the extent that Indemnitee is a party to or a participant in and is successful (on the merits or otherwise) in defense of any Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses in connection therewith. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of one or more but fewer than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses in connection with (a) each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter and (b) any claim, issue or matter related to any such successfully resolved claim, issuer or matter. For purposes of this Section 4, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

5. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. To the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses in connection therewith.

 

6. Additional Indemnification.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 2, 3 or 4, above, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if, and only if, such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) in connection with the Proceeding.

 

(b) For purposes of Section 6(a), the meaning of the phrase “ to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law ” shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL; and (ii) the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

 

7. Exceptions.

 

(a) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity or provide any benefit to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):

 

(i) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;

 

(ii) for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if Indemnitee is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

 

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(iii) for any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or other compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if Indemnitee is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

 

(iv) with respect to (x) remuneration paid to Indemnitee if it is determined by final judgment or other final adjudication that such remuneration was in violation of law (and, in this respect, both the Company and Indemnitee have been advised that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission believes that indemnification for liabilities arising under the federal securities laws is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable and that claims for indemnification should be submitted to appropriate courts for adjudication, as indicated in Section 10(d) below); (y) a final judgment or other final adjudication that Indemnitee’s conduct was in bad faith, knowingly fraudulent or deliberately dishonest or constituted willful misconduct (but only to the extent of such specific determination); or (z) on account of conduct that is established by a final judgment as constituting a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or resulting in any personal profit or advantage to which Indemnitee is not legally entitled. For purposes of this Section 7(a)(iv), a final judgment or other adjudication may be reached in either the underlying proceeding or action in connection with which indemnification is sought or a separate proceeding or action to establish rights and liabilities under this Agreement;

 

(v) initiated by Indemnitee, including against the Company or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (w) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (x) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law, or (y) otherwise authorized in Section 11(d) or (z) otherwise required by applicable law or the Company’s Bylaws. However, indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board determines it to be appropriate; or

 

(vi) if prohibited by applicable law.

 

(b) Any provision in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of a proceeding effected without the Company’s written consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold consent to any proposed settlement; provided, however, that the Company may in any event decline to consent to (or to otherwise admit or agree to any liability for indemnification hereunder in respect of) any proposed settlement if the Company is also a party in such proceeding and determines in good faith that such settlement is not in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

 

(c) Any provision in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee or otherwise act in violation of any undertaking appearing in and required by the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), or in any registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. Indemnitee acknowledges that paragraph (h) of Item 512 of Regulation S-K currently generally requires the Company to undertake in connection with any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to submit the issue of the enforceability of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement in connection with any liability under the Securities Act on public policy grounds to a court of appropriate jurisdiction and to be governed by any final adjudication of such issue. Indemnitee specifically agrees that any such undertaking shall supersede the provisions of this Agreement and to be bound by any such undertaking

 

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8. Advances of Expenses. To the extent indemnity is provided pursuant to Sections 2, 3 or 4, above, or otherwise in this Agreement, the Company shall advance the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such Proceeding, and such advancement shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than 30 days, after the receipt by the Company of a written statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time (which shall include invoices received by Indemnitee in connection with such Expenses but, in the case of invoices in connection with legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditure made that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law shall not be included with the invoice). Reimbursements hereunder shall be deemed advances, and shall be unsecured and interest free and made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay such advances. Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay any such advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. This Section 8 shall not apply to prevent reimbursement to the extent advancement is prohibited by law, or with respect to Proceeding for which indemnity is not permitted under this Agreement, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 7(b) or 7(c) prior to a determination that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.

 

9. Procedures for Notification and Defense of Claim.

 

(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of notice thereof. The written notification to the Company shall include, in reasonable detail, a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure by Indemnitee to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights, except to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.

 

(b) If, at the time of the receipt of a written notice of a Proceeding pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of the Proceeding to such insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable policies. The Company shall thereafter take all commercially-reasonable actions to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(c) In the event the Company may be obligated to make any indemnity in connection with a Proceeding, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of the Company’s election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee for any fees or expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding. Notwithstanding the Company’s assumption of the defense of any such Proceeding, the Company shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel to the extent (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) counsel for the Company or Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there is a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, such that Indemnitee needs to be separately represented, (iii) the fees and expenses are non-duplicative and reasonably incurred in connection with Indemnitee’s role in the Proceeding despite the Company’s assumption of the defense, (iv) the Company is not financially or legally able to perform its defense obligations, or (v) the Company shall not have retained, or shall not continue to retain, such counsel to defend such Proceeding; provided that Indemnitee’s counsel conducts the defense of such Proceeding actively and diligently. The Company shall have the right to conduct such defense as it sees fit in its sole discretion. Regardless of any provision in this Agreement, Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any Proceeding at Indemnitee’s personal expense. The Company shall not be entitled, without the consent of Indemnitee, to assume the defense of any claim brought by or in the right of the Company.

 

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(d) Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation in connection with the Proceeding as may be reasonably appropriate.

 

(e) The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee for any settlement of any Proceeding (or any part thereof) without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(f) The Company shall have the right to settle any Proceeding (or any part thereof) without the consent of Indemnitee.

 

10. Procedures upon Application for Indemnification.

 

(a) To obtain indemnification, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and as is reasonably necessary or as the Company may reasonably request to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of the Proceeding. The Company shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. Any delay in providing the request will not relieve the Company from its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent such failure is prejudicial.

 

(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a), a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following four methods , which shall be at the election of the Board : (A) by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of disinterested directors designated by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (C) if there are no such disinterested directors, or if such disinterested directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (D) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company; provided, however, that if there has been a Change in Control, then such determination shall be made by Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). For purposes of this Agreement, disinterested directors are those members of the Board who are not parties to the action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made by the Company no later than thirty (30) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information that is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and that is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any reasonable Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

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(c) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 10(b), the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 10(c). If the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 11(a), below, the Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then-prevailing).

 

(d) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of any Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

(e) In the event the Company fails to make timely payments as set forth in Sections 8 or 10(b) above, Indemnitee shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Agreement. In such an enforcement hearing or proceeding, the burden of proof shall be on the Company to prove that indemnification or advancement of Expenses to Indemnitee is not required under this Agreement or permitted by applicable law. Any determination by the Company (including its board of directors, a committee thereof, Independent Counsel) or stockholders of the Company, that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder, shall not be a defense by the Company to the action nor create any presumption that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder.

 

11. Remedies of Indemnitee.

 

(a) Subject to Section 11(e), in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10, above, that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 8, above, or 11(d), below, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10, above, within 90 days after the later of the receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification or the final disposition of the Proceeding, (iv) payment of indemnification pursuant to this Agreement is not made (A) within thirty (30) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or (B) with respect to indemnification pursuant to Sections 4 or 5, above, and 11(d), below, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) the Company or any other person or entity takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration with respect to his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses, to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 11(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply in respect of a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under Section 4, above. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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(b) Neither (i) the failure of the Company, the Board, any committee or subgroup of the Board, the Independent Counsel or stockholders to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor (ii) an actual determination by the Company, the Board, any committee or subgroup of the Board, the Independent Counsel or stockholders that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct, may be asserted or offered into evidence as a defense to the action or to create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11, the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.

 

(c) To the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10, above, that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statements not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

(d) To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action for indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company to the extent Indemnitee is successful in such action, and, if requested by Indemnitee, the Company shall (as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than 30 days, after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance such Expenses to Indemnitee, subject to the provisions of Section 8, above.

 

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

 

12. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amounts incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the events and transactions giving rise to such Proceeding; and (ii) the relative fault of Indemnitee and the Company (and its other directors, officers, employees and agents) in connection with such events and transactions.

 

13. Non-exclusivity; No Limitation on Indemnity Rights. The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of, or in any manner limit, any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change, subject to the restrictions expressly set forth herein or therein. Except as expressly set forth herein, no right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. Except as expressly set forth herein, the assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

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14. No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment for such amounts under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

 

15. Insurance. The Company shall, to the extent that the Board determines it to be economically reasonable, maintain a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, on such terms and conditions as may be approved by the Board.

 

16. Subrogation. In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

17. Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director or officer of the Company or, at the request of the Company, as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another Enterprise, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or is removed from such position. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that any employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) is at will, and Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, with or without notice, except as may be otherwise expressly provided in any executed, written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), any existing formal severance policies adopted by the Board or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or the DGCL. No such document shall be subject to any oral modification thereof.

 

18. Duration. This Agreement shall commence as of the Effective Date and continue until and terminate upon the later of (a) seven (7) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or a Subsidiary, or as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of any other Enterprise, as applicable, or (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any Proceeding, including any appeal, then-pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11, above, relating thereto.

 

19. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

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20. Severability. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order or other applicable law, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (ii) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (iii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

21. Enforcement. The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

 

22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Company’s obligations to Indemnitee, as provided by its certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and by applicable law.

 

23. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment to this Agreement shall be binding unless and only to the extent executed in writing by the parties hereto. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement shall adversely affect any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute or be deemed a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

24. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by facsimile or electronic mail or otherwise delivered by hand, messenger or courier service addressed:

 

(a) if to Indemnitee, to Indemnitee’s address, facsimile number or electronic mail address as shown on the signature page of this Agreement or in the Company’s records, as may be updated in accordance with the provisions hereof; or

 

(b) if to the Company, to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company at Propanc Biopharma, Inc., 302, 6 Butler Street, Camberwell, VIC, 3124 Australia, or at such other current address as the Company shall have furnished to Indemnitee, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to Sasha Ablovatskiy, Esq., Foley Shechter Ablovatskiy LLP, 1359 Broadway, 20th Floor, Suite 2001, New York, NY 10018.

 

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Each such notice or other communication shall for all purposes of this Agreement be treated as effective or having been given (i) if delivered by hand, messenger or courier service, when delivered (or if sent via a nationally-recognized overnight courier service, freight prepaid, specifying next-business-day delivery, one business day after deposit with the courier), (ii) if sent via mail, at the earlier of its receipt or five days after the same has been deposited in a regularly-maintained receptacle for the deposit of the United States mail, addressed and mailed as aforesaid, or (iii) if sent via facsimile, upon confirmation of facsimile transfer or, if sent via electronic mail, upon confirmation of delivery when directed to the relevant electronic mail address, if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, or if not sent during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the recipient’s next business day.

 

25. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11(a), above, or by the Company or Indemnitee pursuant to a written agreement between the Company and Indemnitee providing for such, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in any state or federal court located in the City of New York, New York, and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court located in the City of New York, New York for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of New York, VCorp Services (New York), as such party’s agent in the State of New York for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of New York, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in any such state or federal court located in the City of New York, New York, and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in any such state or federal court located in the City of New York, New York has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

26. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which constitutes an original and all of which together constitute one and the same instrument. A manually executed counterpart of this Agreement delivered by means of e-mail as a Portable Document Format file (“.pdf”) (or in any present or future file format intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document), or by means of facsimile transmission, constitutes the valid and effective execution and delivery of this Agreement for all purposes and has the same force and effect for all purposes as the personal delivery of a manually executed counterpart bearing an original ink signature.

 

27. Captions. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

[ Signature page follows ]

 

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The parties are signing this Indemnification Agreement as of the date stated in the introductory sentence.

 

  PROPANC BIOPHARMA, INC.
     
  By:                      
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  INDEMNITEE
   
   
  ( Signature )
   
   
  ( Print name )
   
   
  ( Street address )
   
   
  ( City, State and ZIP )

 

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