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 15, 2020

 

 

 

PROVENTION BIO, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-38552   81-5245912

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

P.O. Box 666, Oldwick, New Jersey 08858

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (908) 336-0360

 

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 [X]

 

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. [X]

 

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

 

Title of Each Class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of Each Exchanged on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   PRVB   The Nasdaq Global Select Market

 

 

 

 
 

 

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

 

Changes to the Board of Directors

 

On May 15, 2020, Anthony DiGiandomenico submitted his resignation from the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Provention Bio, Inc. (the “Company”), effective as of May 19, 2020. Mr. DiGiandomenico indicated that his resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matters relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

 

On May 19, 2020, the Board approved the acceleration of stock options to purchase up to an aggregate of 40,122 shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) that were issued to Mr. DiGiandomenico in connection with certain stock option grant agreements, consisting of (i) stock options to purchase 24,000 shares of Common Stock issued on June 24, 2019 at an exercise price of $12.54 per share that would have vested on May 28, 2020, and (ii) 16,122 shares of Common Stock issued on July 19, 2018 at an exercise price of $4.00 per share that would have vested on July 19, 2020. The accelerated stock options remain at their previously granted exercise prices.

 

Also on May 19, 2020, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, appointed Nancy Wysenski, age 67, to serve as a member of the Board. Ms. Wysenski was also appointed to serve as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board and as Chair of the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

Ms. Wysenski served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX) from December 2009 through her retirement in June 2012. During her tenure at Vertex, Ms. Wysenski was responsible for the launches of Incivek and Kalydeco. Prior to joining Vertex, Ms. Wysenski held the position of Chief Operating Officer of Endo Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company, where she led sales, marketing, commercial operations, supply chain management, human resources and various business development initiatives. Prior to her role at Endo, Ms. Wysenski participated in the establishment of EMD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where she held various leadership positions, including the role of President and Chief Executive Officer from 2001 to 2006 and Vice President of Commercial from 1999 to 2001. From 1984 to 1998, Ms. Wysenski held several sales-focused roles at major pharmaceutical companies, including Vice President of Field Sales for Astra Merck, Inc. Ms. Wysenski serves as a member of the board of directors of Alkermes plc (NASDAQ: ALKS) and Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTPH). Ms. Wysenski formerly served as a director for Dova Pharmaceuticals Inc., Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: RETA) and Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INO). She is a founder of the Research Triangle Park chapter of the Healthcare Business Women’s Association and served on the Nominating Committee and National Advisory Board of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association.

 

In accordance with the Company’s non-employee director compensation policy, Ms. Wysenski will receive an annual cash retainer fee of $30,000. Ms. Wysenski will also receive customary fees for serving on the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board. All fees will be pro-rated for the current year. Ms. Wysenski will also receive an initial option grant to purchase 128,981 shares of the Company’s common stock upon commencement of her position as director.

 

There are no transactions between Ms. Wysenski and the Company that would be reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

The Company will enter into an indemnification agreement with Ms. Wysenski (the “Indemnification Agreement”), in the Company’s standard form which has been previously entered into by the Company with each of the Company’s directors and executive officers, the form of which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2018.

 

 
 

 

Employment Agreement

 

Effective May 19, 2020, the Company entered into the First Amended Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Ashleigh Palmer, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Compensation under the Employment Agreement includes an annual salary of $595,000, with annual review and adjustment at the discretion of the compensation committee or the Board, and an annual incentive bonus of 50% of annual salary based on the achievement of the Company’s corporate objectives and Mr. Palmer’s individual objectives, in each case as established by the compensation committee or the Board. The Employment Agreement also provides for the grant of stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. The Employment Agreement may be terminated by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Palmer for Good Reason, each as defined in the Employment Agreement, in which case, among other things and subject to certain requirements of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Palmer would be entitled severance in the amount of 12 months of base salary in effect at the time of termination, payment of COBRA premiums for 12 months, possible pro rata payment of his annual bonus and accelerated vesting for equity awards that would have vested within 9 months of the termination date; provided that, in the event of a termination by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Palmer for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control of the Company, as defined in the Employment Agreement, Mr. Palmer will be entitled to severance in the amount of 18 months of base salary in effect at the time of termination, payment of COBRA premiums for 18 months, possible pro rata portion of his annual bonus and accelerated vesting of equity awards. Mr. Palmer is subject to a non-compete provision, which applies during the term of his employment and for a period of twelve months following termination of his employment for any reason. The Employment Agreement also contains customary confidentiality and assignment of inventions provisions.

 

The foregoing is a summary of the material terms of the Employment Agreement and does not purport to be complete. A copy of the Employment Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

On May 19, 2020, the Board approved and adopted amended and restated bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”) which became effective immediately upon the Board’s approval. The Amended and Restated Bylaws, among other things, include the following changes:

 

  provide that unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
     
  clarify that the Board may set the record date to determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate actions in writing without a meeting; and
     
  revise the advance notice for stockholder proposals and director nominations to be received between 120 days and 90 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the date on which the Company mailed its proxy materials or notice of availability of proxy materials (whichever is earlier) of the preceding year’s annual meeting (the prior advance notice deadline was between 75 and 45 days prior to the one-year anniversary of such mailing).

 

The foregoing summary of the Amended and Restated Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD.

 

On May 20, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing the resignation of Mr. DiGiandomenico and the appointment of Ms. Wysenski. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) The following exhibit is furnished with this report:

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
3.1   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as adopted on May 19, 2020.
     
10.1   First Amended Employment Agreement, effective May 19, 2020, between the Company and Ashleigh Palmer.
     
99.1   Press Release issued by Provention Bio, Inc. on May 20, 2020.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

  Provention Bio, Inc.
     
Date: May 20, 2020 By: /s/ Andrew Drechsler
    Andrew Drechsler
    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

PROVENTION BIO, INC.

 

(a Delaware corporation)

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  PAGES
ARTICLE I CORPORATE OFFICES 1
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE 1
1.2 OTHER OFFICES 1
ARTICLE II MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS 1
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS 1
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING 1
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING 1
2.4 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES 1
2.5 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS 5
2.6 QUORUM 6
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE 6
2.8 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS 6
2.9 VOTING 6
2.10 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING 6
2.11 RECORD DATES 7
2.12 PROXIES 7
2.13 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE 8
2.14 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION 8
ARTICLE III DIRECTORS 8
3.1 POWERS 8
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS 8
3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS 8
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES 8
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE 9
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS 9
3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE 9
3.8 QUORUM; VOTING 9
3.9 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING 9
3.10 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS 9
3.11 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS 10
ARTICLE IV COMMITTEES 10
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS 10
4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES 10
4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES 10
4.4 SUBCOMMITTEES 10
ARTICLE V OFFICERS 11
5.1 OFFICERS 11
5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS 11
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS 11
5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS 11
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES 11
5.6 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER ENTITIES 11
5.7 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS 11
ARTICLE VI STOCK 12
6.1 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES 12
6.2 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES 12
6.3 LOST CERTIFICATES 12
6.4 DIVIDENDS 12
6.5 TRANSFER OF STOCK 13
6.6 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS 13
6.7 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS 13
ARTICLE VII MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER 13
7.1 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS 13
7.2 NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION 13

 

 
 

 

7.3 NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS 14
7.4 NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL 14
7.5 WAIVER OF NOTICE 14
ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION 14
8.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS 14
8.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION 14
8.3 SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE 15
8.4 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS 15
8.5 ADVANCE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES 15
8.6 LIMITATION ON INDEMNIFICATION 15
8.7 DETERMINATION; CLAIM 16
8.8 NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS 16
8.9 INSURANCE 16
8.10 SURVIVAL 16
8.11 EFFECT OF REPEAL OR MODIFICATION 16
8.12 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS 16
ARTICLE IX GENERAL MATTERS 16
9.1 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS 16
9.2 FISCAL YEAR 17
9.3 SEAL 17
9.4 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS 17
9.5 FORUM 17
ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS 17

 

 
 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF PROVENTION BIO, INC.

 

ARTICLE I

CORPORATE OFFICE

 

1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE

 

The registered office of Provention Bio, Inc. shall be fixed in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

1.2 OTHER OFFICES

 

The corporation’s board of directors may at any time establish other offices at any place or places within or outside the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS

 

Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the board of directors. The board of directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the corporation’s principal executive office.

 

2.2 ANNUAL MEETING

 

The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on such date, at such time, and at such place (if any) within or outside the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the corporation’s notice of the meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected in accordance with the corporation’s certificate of incorporation and any other proper business, brought in accordance with Section 2.4 of these bylaws, may be transacted. The board of directors may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled annual meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.

 

2.3 SPECIAL MEETING

 

(i) A special meeting of the stockholders, other than those required by statute, may be called at any time by (A) the board of directors, (B) the chairperson of the board of directors, (C) the chief executive officer or (D) the president (in the absence of a chief executive officer), but a special meeting may not be called by any other person or persons except as described in Section 2.3(ii). The board of directors may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.

 

(ii) A special meetings of the stockholders, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or by these bylaws, may be called at any time by the chief executive officer or the president (in the absence of a chief executive officer) at the request in writing of stockholders owning not less than twenty percent (20%) of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, provided, however, that no more than one such meeting may be called to consider any matter which is substantially the same as a matter voted on in the prior twelve (12) month period. Such request shall state the purposes of the proposed meeting.

 

(iii) The notice of a special meeting shall include the purpose for which the meeting is called. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, chairperson of the board of directors, chief executive officer, president (in the absence of a chief executive officer) or at the request of stockholders as described in Section 2.3(ii) hereof. Nothing contained in this Section 2.3(iii) shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.

 

2.4 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES

 

(i) Advance Notice of Stockholder Business. At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be brought: (A) pursuant to the corporation’s proxy materials with respect to such meeting, (B) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (C) by a stockholder of the corporation who (1) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(i) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (2) has timely complied in proper written form with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(i). In addition, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to these bylaws and applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, except for proposals properly made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto (the “Exchange Act”), and the regulations thereunder (or any successor rule and in any case as so amended), clause (C) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders.

 

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(a) To comply with clause (C) of Section 2.4(i) above, a stockholder’s notice must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(i) and must be timely received by the secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the 90th day nor earlier than the 120th day before the one-year anniversary of the date on which the corporation first mailed its proxy materials or a notice of availability of proxy materials (whichever is earlier) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, then, for notice by the stockholder to be timely, it must be so received by the secretary not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which a Public Announcement (as defined below) of the date of such annual meeting is first made. In no event shall any adjournment, rescheduling or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.4(i)(a). “Public Announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(b) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth as to each matter of business the stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting:

 

(1) a brief description of the business intended to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting;

 

(2) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the corporation, the language of the proposed amendment);

 

(3) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between or among the stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Persons (as defined below) or between or among the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any other person or entity (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder;

 

(4) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business and any Stockholder Associated Person;

 

(5) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, except that the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of the corporation as to which such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future;

 

(6) the full notional amount of any securities that, directly or indirectly, underlie any “derivative security” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(c) under the Exchange Act) that constitutes a “call equivalent position” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act) (“Synthetic Equity Position”) and that is, directly or indirectly, held or maintained by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any shares of any class or series of shares of the corporation; provided that, for the purposes of the definition of “Synthetic Equity Position,” the term “derivative security” shall also include any security or instrument that would not otherwise constitute a “derivative security” as a result of any feature that would make any conversion, exercise or similar right or privilege of such security or instrument becoming determinable only at some future date or upon the happening of a future occurrence, in which case the determination of the amount of securities into which such security or instrument would be convertible or exercisable shall be made assuming that such security or instrument is immediately convertible or exercisable at the time of such determination; and, provided, further, that a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person satisfying the requirements of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act (other than a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person that so satisfies Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act solely by reason of Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E)) shall not be deemed to hold or maintain the notional amount of any securities that underlie a Synthetic Equity Position held by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person as a hedge with respect to a bona fide derivatives trade or position of such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person arising in the ordinary course of such stockholder’s or Stockholder Associated Person’s business as a derivatives dealer;

 

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(7) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the corporation and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the corporation;

 

(8) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of shares of the corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the corporation;

 

(9) any material shares or any Synthetic Equity Position in any principal competitor of the corporation in any principal industry of the corporation held by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person;

 

(10) any material interest of the stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person in such business to be brought before the meeting;

 

(11) any material pending or threatened legal proceeding in which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a party or material participant involving the corporation, or any of its officers or directors, or any affiliate of the corporation;

 

(12) any other material relationship between such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, on the one hand, and the corporation, any affiliate of the corporation or any principal competitor of the corporation, on the other hand;

 

(13) any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with the corporation, any affiliate of the corporation or any principal competitor of the corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement);

 

(14) a statement whether either such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal; and

 

(15) any other information relating to such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, or relating to the proposal or item of business, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (1) through (15), a “Business Solicitation Statement”).

 

Provided, however, that a Business Solicitation Statement shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Stockholder Associated Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner. In addition, to be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must be supplemented (the “Supplement”) not later than ten days following the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting to disclose the information contained in clauses (5) through (8) above as of the record date for notice of the meeting. For purposes of this Section 2.4, a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, (iii) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such stockholder in such solicitation or (iv) any associate (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act for the purposes of these bylaws) of or person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person referred to in the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii).

 

(c) Without exception, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(i) and, if applicable, Section 2.4(ii). In addition, business proposed to be brought by a stockholder may not be brought before the annual meeting if such stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business or if the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.4(i), and, if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting that any such business not properly brought before the annual meeting shall not be conducted.

 

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(ii) Advance Notice of Director Nominations at Annual Meetings. (a) Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii) shall be eligible for election or re- election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the corporation shall be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (B) by a stockholder of the corporation who

 

(1) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(ii) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting; and

 

(2) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the secretary of the corporation.

 

(b) To comply with clause (B) of Section 2.4(ii)(a) above, a nomination to be made by a stockholder must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(ii) and must be received by the secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation at the time set forth in, and in accordance with, the second sentence of Section 2.4(i)(a) above; provided additionally, however, that if the number of directors to be elected to the board of directors is increased and there is no Public Announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased board made by the corporation at least ten days before the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination pursuant to the foregoing provisions, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.4(ii) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be received by the secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such Public Announcement is first made by the corporation.

 

(c) To be in proper written form, such stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth:

 

(1) as to each person (a “nominee”) whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director:

 

(A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the nominee and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the nominee, (D) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of the nominee with respect to any securities of the corporation and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of the nominee, (E) a description of all arrangements or understandings between or among any of the stockholder, each nominee and/or any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder or relating to the nominee’s potential service on the board of directors, (F) a written statement executed by the nominee agreeing to serve as a director if elected and acknowledging that as a director of the corporation, the nominee will owe a fiduciary duty under Delaware law with respect to the corporation and its stockholders and (G) any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed about such nominee if proxies were being solicited for the election of the nominee as a director, or that is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including without limitation the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and

 

(2) as to such stockholder giving notice, (A) the information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (3) through

 

(15) of Section 2.4(i)(b) above, and the Supplement referenced in Section 2.4(i)(b) above (except that the references to “business” in such clauses shall instead refer to nominations of directors for purposes of this paragraph), and (B) a statement whether either such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person to be necessary to elect such nominee(s) (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (A) through (G) of Section 2.4(ii)(b)(1) and clauses (A) and (B) of this Section 2.4(ii)(b)(2) above, a “Nominee Solicitation Statement”).

 

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(d) At the request of the board of directors, any person nominated by a stockholder for election as a director must furnish to the secretary of the corporation (1) that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination of such person as a director as of a date subsequent to the date on which the notice of such person’s nomination was given, (2) such other information as may reasonably be required by the corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director or audit committee financial expert of the corporation under applicable law, securities exchange rule or regulation or any publicly-disclosed corporate governance guideline or committee charter of the corporation and (3) such other information that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee; in the absence of the furnishing of such information if requested, such stockholder’s nomination shall not be considered in proper form pursuant to this Section 2.4(ii).

 

(e) Without exception, no person shall be eligible for election or re-election as a director of the corporation at an annual meeting of stockholders unless nominated in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

(iii) Advance Notice of Director Nominations for Special Meetings.

 

(a) For a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to Section 2.3, nominations of persons for election to the board of directors shall be made only (1) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (2) by any stockholder of the corporation who (A) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(iii) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting and (B) delivers a timely written notice of the nomination to the secretary of the corporation that includes the information set forth in Sections 2.4(ii)(b) and (ii)(c) above. To be timely, such notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the board of directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment, rescheduling or postponement of a special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice. A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director at a special meeting unless the person is nominated (i) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (ii) by a stockholder in accordance with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(iii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

(b) The chairperson of the special meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination or business was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the meeting, and the defective nomination or business shall be disregarded.

 

(iv) Other Requirements and Rights. In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.4, including, with respect to business such stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting that involves a proposal that such stockholder requests to be included in the corporation’s proxy statement, the requirements of Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect any right of the corporation to omit a proposal from the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act.

 

2.5 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the written notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.

 

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2.6 QUORUM

 

The holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders, unless otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange.

 

Whether or not a quorum is present at a meeting of stockholders, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE

 

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the board of directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 213(a) of the DGCL and Section 2.11 of these bylaws and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

2.8 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

 

The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of business. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall be designated by the board of directors; in the absence of such designation, the chairperson of the board, if any, the chief executive officer (in the absence of the chairperson) or the president (in the absence of the chairperson of the board and the chief executive officer), or in their absence any other executive officer of the corporation, shall serve as chairperson of the stockholder meeting. The chairperson of any stockholder meeting shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date or time.

 

2.9 VOTING

 

The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws, subject to Section 217 (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock) and Section 218 (relating to voting trusts and other voting agreements) of the DGCL.

 

Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

 

Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of shares of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange.

 

2.10 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

 

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. For the purposes of this Section 2.10 to the extent permitted by law, an electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, or by a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated as of the date on which such writing or other electronic transmission is transmitted.

 

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2.11 RECORD DATES

 

In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If the board of directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the board of directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination.

 

If no record date is fixed by the board of directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

 

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the provisions of Section 213 of the DGCL and this Section 2.11 at the adjourned meeting.

 

In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders of the corporation entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the board of directors may fix a record date, which date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the board of directors. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the secretary, request that the board of directors fix a record date. The board of directors shall promptly, but in any event no later than ten days after the date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record date (unless the board of directors has previously fixed a record date pursuant to the first sentence hereof). If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors pursuant to the first sentence hereof or otherwise within ten days of the date on which such a request is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, where no prior action by the board of directors is required by applicable law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered agent in Delaware, its principal place of business or to any officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are reported. Delivery shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the board of directors and prior action by the board of directors is required by law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be the close of business on the date on which the board of directors adopts the resolution taking the prior action.

 

In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

2.12 PROXIES

 

Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL. A written proxy may be given by electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.

 

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2.13 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE

 

The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the corporation’s principal place of business. If the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger of the corporation shall be the only evidence as to the identity of the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 2.13 or to vote at any meeting of stockholders.

 

2.14 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

 

Before any meeting of stockholders, the board of directors shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the chairperson of the meeting may, and upon the request of any stockholder or a stockholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy; provided further that, in any case, if no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint at least one (1) inspector to act at the meeting.

 

Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. Such inspectors shall take all actions as contemplated under Section 231 of the DGCL.

 

The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical. If there are three (3) inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS

 

3.1 POWERS

 

The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the DGCL or the certificate of incorporation.

 

3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

 

The board of directors shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. Unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, the number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

 

3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS

 

Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. The certificate of incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.

 

3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES

 

Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the corporation; provided, however, that if such notice is given by electronic transmission, such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the director. A resignation is effective when the resignation is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date is determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. A resignation which is conditioned upon the director failing to receive a specified vote for reelection as a director may provide that it is irrevocable. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, when one or more directors resign from the board of directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have the power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.

 

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Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws or permitted in the specific case by resolution of the board of directors, and subject to the rights (if any) of holders of preferred stock, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by stockholders. A person so chosen to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

 

3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE

 

The board of directors may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by the board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS

 

Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board of directors.

 

3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE

 

Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairperson of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the secretary or a majority of the authorized number of directors, at such times and places as he or she or they shall designate.

 

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:

 

(i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;

 

(ii) sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;

 

(iii) sent by facsimile; or

 

(iv) sent by electronic mail,

 

directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number or electronic mail address, as the case may be, as shown on the corporation’s records.

 

If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile or (iii) sent by electronic mail, it shall be delivered or sent at least 24 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by United States mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four days before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice may be communicated to the director. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the corporation’s principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting.

 

3.8 QUORUM; VOTING

 

At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the total authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

 

If the certificate of incorporation provides that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter, every reference in these bylaws to a majority or other proportion of the directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of the directors.

 

3.9 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board of directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board of directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form. Any person (whether or not then a director) may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that a consent to action will be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), no later than 60 days after such instruction is given or such provision is made and such consent shall be deemed to have been given for purposes of this Section 3.9 at such effective time so long as such person is then a director and did not revoke the consent prior to such time. Any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective.

 

3.10 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.

 

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3.11 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

 

No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.

 

4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

 

ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES

 

The board of directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the corporation.

 

4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.

 

4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES

 

Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:

 

(i) Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone);

 

(ii) Section 3.6 (regular meetings);

 

(iii) Section 3.7 (special meetings; notice);

 

(iv) Section 3.8 (quorum; voting);

 

(v) Section 7.5 (waiver of notice); and

 

(vi) Section 3.9 (board action by written consent without a meeting)

 

with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members. However:

 

(i) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the board of directors or by resolution of the committee;

 

(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors; and

 

(iii) notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors or a committee may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.

 

Any provision in the certificate of incorporation providing that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter shall apply to voting in any committee or subcommittee, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

 

4.4 SUBCOMMITTEES

 

Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the resolutions of the board of directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

 

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ARTICLE V
OFFICERS

 

5.1 OFFICERS

 

The officers of the corporation shall be a president and a secretary. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a chairperson of the board of directors, a vice chairperson of the board of directors, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer or treasurer, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more assistant secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws or otherwise determined by the board of directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

 

The board of directors shall appoint the officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.3 of these bylaws, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.

 

5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS

 

The board of directors may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors may from time to time determine.

 

5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

 

Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the board of directors or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the board of directors unless otherwise provided by resolution of the board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors.

 

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

 

5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES

 

Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the board of directors or as provided in Section 5.3.

 

5.6 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER ENTITIES

 

The chairperson of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the chief executive officer, the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares or other equity interests of any other corporation or corporations or entity or entities standing in the name of this corporation, including the right to act by written consent. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

 

5.7 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 

All officers of the corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the corporation as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the board of directors.

 

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ARTICLE VI
STOCK

 

6.1 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES

 

The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the board of directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of, the corporation by the chairperson of the board of directors or vice-chairperson of the board of directors, or the chief executive officer, president or a vice-president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The corporation shall not have power to issue a certificate in bearer form.

 

The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly-paid shares, or upon the books and records of the corporation in the case of uncertificated partly-paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully-paid shares, the corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly-paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

 

6.2 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES

 

If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this Section 6.2 or Sections 151, 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the DGCL or with respect to this Section 6.2 a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.

 

6.3 LOST CERTIFICATES

 

Except as provided in this Section 6.3, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time. The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the corporation a bond, in such sum as the corporation may direct, sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

6.4 DIVIDENDS

 

The board of directors, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation or applicable law, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the corporation’s capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the corporation’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

 

The board of directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation and meeting contingencies.

 

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6.5 TRANSFER OF STOCK

 

Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by an attorney duly authorized, and, subject to Section 6.3 of these bylaws, if such stock is certificated, upon the surrender of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer.

 

6.6 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

 

The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

 

6.7 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS

 

The corporation:

 

(i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner;

 

(ii) shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares; and

 

(iii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VII
MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER

 

7.1 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

Notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the corporation’s records. An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation or of the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

7.2 NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

 

Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if:

 

(i) the corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with such consent; and

 

(ii) such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice.

 

However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action. Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:

 

(i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

(ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

(iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and

 

(iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

 

An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

An “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

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7.3 NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

 

Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the corporation, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

7.4 NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL

 

Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If the action taken by the corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

 

7.5 WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

 

8.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS

 

Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”) (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the corporation serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.

 

8.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION

 

Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the corporation serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

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8.3 SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE

 

To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

 

8.4 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS

 

Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the corporation shall have the power to indemnify its employees and agents to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law. The board of directors shall have the power to delegate to such person or persons as the board shall in its discretion determine the determination of whether employees or agents shall be indemnified.

 

8.5 ADVANCE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES

 

Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any Proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt of a written request therefor (together with documentation reasonably evidencing such expenses) and an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or the DGCL. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the corporation or by persons serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. The right to advancement of expenses shall not apply to any claim for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to these bylaws, but shall apply to any Proceeding referenced in Section 8.6(ii) or 8.6(iii) prior to a determination that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation.

 

8.6 LIMITATION ON INDEMNIFICATION

 

Subject to the requirements in Section 8.3 and the DGCL, the corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this Article VIII in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):

 

(i) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person 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 such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

 

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

 

(iv) initiated by such person, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by such person against the corporation or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (a) the board of directors authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (b) the corporation provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under applicable law, (c) otherwise required to be made under Section 8.7 or (d) otherwise required by applicable law; or

 

(v) if prohibited by applicable law; provided, however, that if any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

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8.7 DETERMINATION; CLAIM

 

If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article VIII is not paid in full within 90 days after receipt by the corporation of the written request therefor, the claimant shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses. The corporation shall indemnify such person against any and all expenses that are actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action for indemnification or advancement of expenses from the corporation under this Article VIII, to the extent such person is successful in such action, and to the extent not prohibited by law. In any such suit, the corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proving that the claimant is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses.

 

8.8 NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS

 

The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the certificate of incorporation or any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advancement of expenses, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.

 

8.9 INSURANCE

 

The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

 

8.10 SURVIVAL

 

The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Article VIII shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

8.11 EFFECT OF REPEAL OR MODIFICATION

 

A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.

 

8.12 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of this Article VIII, references to the “corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation 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 such person reasonably believed to be in the interest 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 corporation” as referred to in this Article VIII.

 

ARTICLE IX
GENERAL MATTERS

 

9.1 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS

 

Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

 

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9.2 FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.

 

9.3 SEAL

 

The corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the board of directors. The corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

 

9.4 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

 

9.5 FORUM

 

Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (A) the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the corporation to the corporation or the corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, or these bylaws, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, or (v) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, a federal court located within the state of Delaware, in all cases subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants; and (B) the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 9.5.

 

ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS

 

These bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote; provided, however, that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the total voting power of outstanding voting securities, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders of the corporation to alter, amend or repeal, or adopt any provision of these bylaws. The board of directors shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.

 

A bylaw amendment adopted by stockholders which specifies the votes that shall be necessary for the election of directors shall not be further amended or repealed by the board of directors.

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

FIRST AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This FIRST AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated May 19, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), is by and between PROVENTION BIO, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and ASHLEIGH PALMER (the “Executive”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Executive as its President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and the Executive desires to accept such employment, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have mutually agreed that, as of the Effective Date, this Agreement shall govern the terms of employment between the Executive and the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

Employment; TERM OF AGREEMENT

 

Section 1.1. Employment and Acceptance. During the Term (as defined in Section 1.2), the Company shall employ the Executive, and the Executive shall accept such employment and serve the Company, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

  

Section 1.2. Term. The employment relationship hereunder shall be for the period commencing on the Effective Date until terminated by either party as provided in ARTICLE 4, (the “Term”). During the Term, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) will continue to nominate the Executive to be a director on the Board. In the event that the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, the Company’s obligation to continue to pay, after the Termination Date (as defined in Section 4.2(b)), Base Salary (as defined in Section 3.1(a)), Annual Bonus (as defined in Section 3.1(c)) and other unaccrued benefits shall terminate, except as may be provided for in ARTICLE 4.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2

TITLE; DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS; LOCATION

 

Section 2.1. Title. The Company shall employ the Executive to render full-time services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. The Executive shall serve in the capacity of President and CEO.

 

Section 2.2. Duties. The Executive shall report to the Board and be subject to the lawful direction of the Board. The Executive agrees to perform to the best of his ability, experience and talent those acts and duties, consistent with the position of President and CEO as the Board shall from time to time direct. During the Term, the Executive also shall serve in such other executive-level positions or capacities as may, from time to time, be reasonably requested by the Board, including, without limitation (subject to election, appointment, re-election or re-appointment, as applicable) as (a) a member of the Board and/or as a member of the board of directors or similar governing body of any of the Company’s subsidiaries or other Affiliates (as defined below), (b) an officer of any of the Company’s subsidiaries or other Affiliates, and/or (c) a member of any committee of the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries or other Affiliates, in each case, for no additional compensation. As used in this Agreement, “Affiliate” of any individual or entity means any other individual or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the individual or entity.

 

Section 2.3. Compliance with Policies, etc. During the Term, unless otherwise provided herein, the Executive shall be bound by, and comply fully with, all of the Company’s policies and procedures for employees and officers in place from time to time, including, but not limited to, all terms and conditions set forth in the Company’s employee handbook, compliance manual, codes of conduct and any other memoranda and communications applicable to the Executive pertaining to the policies, procedures, rules and regulations, as currently in effect and as may be amended from time to time. These policies and procedures include, among other things and without limitation, the Executive’s obligations to comply with the Company’s rules regarding confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets.

 

Section 2.4. Time Commitment. During the Term, the Executive shall use his best efforts to promote the interests of the Company (including its subsidiaries and other Affiliates) and shall devote substantially all of his business time, ability and attention to the performance of his duties for the Company and shall not, directly or indirectly, render any services to any other person or organization, whether for compensation or otherwise, except with the Board’s prior written consent, except that, without such written consent, the Executive may (i) participate in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs; (ii) manage the Executive’s passive personal investments; (iii) maintain his position and perform his duties on the board of directors of the inhaled nitric oxide company, “Third Pole”, and receive appropriate compensation for doing so; (iv) maintain his position and perform his duties as President of the biopharmaceutical advisory firm, “Creative BioVentures Corp”, and receive appropriate compensation for doing so.

 

Section 2.5. Location. The Executive’s principal place of business for the performance of his duties under this Agreement shall be at the principal executive office of the Company, or such other place as permitted by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding, the foregoing, the Executive shall be required to travel as necessary to perform his duties hereunder.

 

Section 2.6. No Disparagement. During employment and after the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive and the Company agree that, except as may be required by the lawful order of a court or agency of competent jurisdiction (or, in the case of the Executive, during the Term, to the extent necessary for the Company to properly evaluate the Executive’s job performance), they will not knowingly take any action or make any statement or disclosure, whether written or oral, that disparages, criticizes, or is otherwise derogatory with respect to the other.

 

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Section 2.7. Indemnification. During employment and after the termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive and the Company agree that the Company shall to the fullest extent permitted by the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws, other corporate governance documents and applicable law in effect from time to time, subject to the conditions thereof, indemnify Executive against expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys fees, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceedings against him arising by reason of the fact that Executive is or was an agent, officer or employee of the Company. The Executive shall be required to seek the Board’s prior approval before incurring legal fees for which he will seek reimbursement.

 

ARTICLE 3

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS; EXPENSES

 

Section 3.1. Compensation and Benefits. For all services rendered by the Executive in any capacity during the Term (including, without limitation, serving as an officer, director or member of any committee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or other Affiliates), the Executive shall be compensated as follows (subject, in each case, to the provisions of Article 4 below):

 

(a) Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary (the “Base Salary”) at the annualized rate of $595,000, which shall be subject to customary withholdings and authorized deductions and be payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices in place from time to time. The Executive’s Base salary shall be subject to periodic adjustments as the Board and/or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) shall in its/their discretion deem appropriate but will not be reduced more than ten percent (10%) in connection with an across the board reduction of the salaries of all executives.

 

(b) Annual Bonus. For each calendar year ending during the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) with a target amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the Base Salary earned by the Executive for such calendar year (the “Target Annual Bonus”). The actual amount of each Annual Bonus will be based upon the level of achievement of the Company’s corporate objectives and the Executive’s individual objectives, in each case, as established by the Board or the Compensation Committee for the calendar year with respect to which such Annual Bonus relates. The determination of the level of achievement of the corporate objectives and the Executive’s individual performance objectives for a year shall be made by the Board or the Compensation Committee, in its reasonable discretion. Each Annual Bonus for a calendar year, to the extent earned, will be paid in a lump sum in the following calendar year, within the first 75 days of such following year. In order for the Executive to receive an Annual Bonus, the Executive must be actively employed by the Company as of January 1, in the calendar year in which the Annual Bonus is paid.

 

(c) Equity Compensation. Equity Compensation. The Executive shall be eligible to receive equity compensation, the details of which shall be provided under separate cover pursuant to a stock grant agreement (each a “Stock Option Agreement”). In addition, notwithstanding any statement in this Agreement to the contrary, Section 3(d) of the Employment Agreement dated as of April 25, 2017 between the Executive and the Company shall survive and remain in effect.

 

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(d) Benefit Plans. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans and programs (excluding severance plans, if any) generally made available by the Company to senior executives of the Company, to the extent permissible under the general terms and provisions of such plans or programs and in accordance with the provisions thereof. The Company may amend, modify or rescind any employee benefit plan or program and/or change employee contribution amounts to benefit costs upon notice to the Executive and in its discretion.

 

(e) Paid Vacation. The Executive shall be eligible to take paid vacation days in accordance with the Company’s vacation policies in effect from time to time for its senior executives.

 

Section 3.2. Expense Reimbursement. The Company shall reimburse the Executive during the Term, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies in place from time to time, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business and travel expenses incurred by the Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder. In order to receive such reimbursement, the Executive shall furnish to the Company documentary evidence of each such expense in the form required to comply with the Company’s policies in place from time to time.

 

ARTICLE 4

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

Section 4.1. Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason.

 

(a) The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability) upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Executive. Executive may terminate his employment hereunder for Good Reason upon written notice to the Company in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 4.1(c).

 

(b) As used in this Agreement, “Cause” means: (i) a material act, or act of fraud, committed by the Executive that is intended to result in the Executive’s personal enrichment to the detriment or at the expense of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (ii) the Executive is convicted of a felony; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Executive, or failure by the Executive to perform the duties or obligations reasonably assigned to the Executive by the Board from time to time, which is not cured upon at least thirty (30) days prior written notice (unless such negligence, misconduct or failure is not susceptible to cure, as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board); or (iv) the Executive violates the Covenants Agreement (as defined in Section 5.1 below) .

 

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(c) As used in this Agreement, “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following without the Executive’s consent: (1) a material breach by the Company of the terms of this Agreement; (2) a material reduction of ten (10) percent or more in the Executive’s Base Salary (other than pursuant to a reduction uniformly applicable to all senior executives of the Company); (3) a material diminution or change in the Executive’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities; (4) a change in the geographic location at which the Executive performs services for the Company of more than fifty (50) miles; (5) the Executive’s removal from the Board or the failure to appoint or reappoint Executive to the Board; or (6) the Board’s appointment of an executive chairman; provided, however, that the Executive must notify the Company within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions that he considers it to be a “Good Reason” condition and provide the Company with at least thirty (30) days in which to cure the condition. If the Executive fails to provide this notice and cure period prior to his resignation, or resigns more than six (6) months after the initial existence of the condition, his resignation will not be deemed to be for “Good Reason.” It is an express condition of this Agreement that an acquiring entity in a Change in Control assume this Agreement; if this Agreement is not so assumed, it shall constitute a material breach by the Company of the terms of the Agreement.

 

(d) If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(a), other than during the Post-Change in Control Period (as defined in Section 4.1(e)), the Executive shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive, be entitled to receive, and the Company’s sole obligation to the Executive under this Agreement or otherwise shall be to pay or provide to the Executive, the following:

 

(i) the Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 4.2(b))

 

(ii) each outstanding stock option held by the Executive under the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (or for any successor plan) (the “Equity Plan”) that provides for vesting solely based on continued service (“time-based” vesting) shall become fully vested, and all of the Executive’s outstanding vested stock options (whether providing time-based or performance-based vesting) shall remain exercisable for a period of twelve (12) months, following the Termination Date (but in no event later than the expiration date of the term thereof); and

 

(iii) subject to Section 4.4 and Section 4.5:

 

(A) payments equal to twelve (12) months of Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Termination Date (provided that if such salary has been reduced, the pre-reduction Base Salary), less applicable withholdings and deductions; and (B) twelve (12) months of COBRA premiums, (the “Pre-CIC Severance Payments”), to be paid (subject to Section 5.16) in equal installments bimonthly in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, commencing on the next regular payroll date that occurs on or after the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date, provided, however, that payments under subsection (B) of this section will cease in the event that Executive secures substantially gainful employment from a new employer prior to the expiration of the time such payments are to be paid, and Executive agrees to immediately inform Company in writing if he becomes employed by a new employer. In addition Executive shall (X) receive accelerated vesting of any equity awards (other than stock options) to the extent such awards would have become vested during the nine (9) month period following the Termination Date had Executive continued to be employed by the Company, and (Y) be eligible to receive the pro rata portion of his Annual Bonus based on objectives achieved at the termination date, which shall be paid on the date the subject annual bonus would have been paid had Executive’s employment continued.

 

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(e) If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(a) within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (as defined below) (the “Post-Change in Control Period”), the Executive shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive (and in lieu of any payments and benefits set forth in Section 4.1(d)), be entitled to receive, and the Company’s sole obligation to the Executive under this Agreement or otherwise shall be to pay or provide to the Executive, the following:

 

(i) the Accrued Obligations; and subject to Section 4.4, Section 4.5, Section 4.6 and Section 4.7:

 

(ii) (A)payments equal to eighteen (18) months of Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Termination Date (provided that if such salary has been reduced, the pre-reduction Base Salary), less applicable withholdings and deductions, and (B) eighteen (18) months of COBRA premiums, (the “Post-CIC Severance Payments”), to be paid (subject to Section 5.16) in equal installments bimonthly in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll schedule, commencing on the next regular payroll date that occurs on or after the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date; and provided, however, that payments under subsection (B) of this section will cease in the event that Executive secures substantially gainful employment from a new employer prior to the expiration of the time such payments are to be paid, and Executive agrees to immediately inform the Company in writing if he becomes employed by a new employer. In addition Executive shall (X) be deemed to be fully vested in any and all outstanding equity awards of Executive and each of Executive’s outstanding stock options shall remain exercisable until the expiration date of the term of such option, and (Y) be eligible to receive the pro rata portion of his Annual Bonus based on objectives achieved at the termination date, which shall be paid on the date the subject annual bonus would have been paid had Executive’s employment continued.

 

Section 4.2. Termination for Cause; Voluntary Termination; Expiration of Term.

 

(a) The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time for Cause upon written notice to the Executive. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment hereunder at any time without Good Reason upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Company; provided, however, the Company reserves the right, upon written notice to the Executive, to accept the Executive’s notice of resignation and to accelerate such notice and make the Executive’s resignation effective immediately, or on such other date prior to Executive’s intended last day of work as the Company deems appropriate; provided the Company pays the Executive his Base Salary for the full notice period. It is understood and agreed that the Company’s election to accelerate Executive’s notice of resignation shall not be deemed a termination by the Company without Cause for purposes of Section 4.1 of this Agreement or otherwise or constitute Good Reason (as defined in Section 4.1) for purposes of Section 4.1 of this Agreement or otherwise. The Executive’s employment shall automatically terminate upon the expiration of the Term in accordance with Section 1.2.

 

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(b) If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.2(a), the Executive shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive, be entitled to receive, and the Company’s sole obligation under this Agreement or otherwise shall be to pay or provide to the Executive, the following (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”):

 

(i) the Executive’s earned, but unpaid, Base Salary through the final date of the Executive’s employment by the Company (the “Termination Date”), payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices;

 

(ii) the Executive’s accrued, but unused, vacation (in accordance with the Company’s policies);

 

(iii) expenses reimbursable under Section 3.2 above incurred on or prior to the Termination Date but not yet reimbursed; and

 

(iv) any amounts or benefits that are vested amounts or vested benefits or that the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any Company plan, program, policy or practice (with the exception of those, if any, relating to severance) on the Termination Date, in accordance with such plan, program, policy, or practice.

 

(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Stock Option Agreement or the Equity Plan, all of the Executive’s outstanding vested stock options as of the Termination Date, shall remain exercisable for a period of twelve (12) months, following the Termination Date (but in no event later than the expiration of their term thereof).

 

Section 4.3. Termination Resulting from Death or Disability.

 

(a) As the result of any Disability suffered by the Executive, the Company may, upon five (5) days prior notice to the Executive, terminate the Executive’s employment under this Agreement. The Executive’s employment shall automatically terminate upon his death.

 

(b) “Disability” means a determination by the Company in accordance with applicable law that as a result of a physical or mental injury or illness, the Executive is unable to perform the essential functions of his job with or without reasonable accommodation for a period of (i) ninety (90) consecutive days; or (ii) one hundred twenty (120) days during any twelve (12) month period.

 

(c) If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.3(a), the Executive or the Executive’s estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive, and the Company’s sole obligation under this Agreement or otherwise shall be to pay or provide to the Executive or the Executive’s estate, as the case may be, the Accrued Obligations.

 

Section 4.4. Release Agreement. In order to receive the Pre-CIC Severance Payments, the Post-CIC Severance Payments, or the healthcare coverage assistance set forth in Section 4.1 (if eligible), the Executive and the Company must both timely execute, deliver (and not revoke) a separation agreement and general release (the “Release Agreement”) in a form the same or similar as that attached hereto (which may be updated by the Company as necessary to address any changes in the law). If the Executive is eligible for Severance Payments and healthcare coverage assistance pursuant to Section 4.1, the Company will deliver the Release Agreement to the Executive within seven (7) calendar days following the Termination Date. The Severance Payments and healthcare coverage assistance are subject to both the Company’s and the Executive’s execution of such Release Agreement within 21 days [or 45 days in the case of a group layoff] of the Executive’s receipt of the Release Agreement and the Executive’s non-revocation of such Release Agreement in accordance with applicable law.

 

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Section 4.5. Post-Termination Breach. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company’s obligations to provide the Severance Payments and the healthcare coverage assistance will immediately cease if the Executive breaches any of the provisions of the Covenants Agreement or the Release Agreement. .

 

Section 4.6. Removal from any Boards and Position. If the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason under this Agreement, he shall be deemed (without further action or notice) to resign (i) if a member, from the board of directors (or similar governing body) of any Affiliate of the Company or any other board to which he has been appointed or nominated by or on behalf of the Company and (ii) from all other positions as an employee of the Company or any subsidiary or other Affiliate of the Company.

 

Section 4.7 Covenants Regarding Other Employees. During the term of this Agreement, and for a period of twelve (12) months following the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason, the Executive agrees not to directly or indirectly solicit any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company or to interfere in any manner with the business of the Company.

 

Section 4.8. Noncompete Following a Termination of Employment. From the Effective Date of this Agreement and for a period of twelve (12) months following the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason the Executive will not: (a) directly or indirectly own any equity or proprietary interest in (except for ownership of shares in a publicly traded company not exceeding three percent (3%) of any class of outstanding securities), or be an employee, agent, director, advisor, or consultant to or for any Competitor of the Company, whether on his own behalf or on behalf of any person; or (b) undertake any action to induce or cause any customer or client to discontinue or diminish any part of its business with the Company.

 

Competitor” shall mean any entity that is engaged, directly or indirectly, in the business of developing and/or commercializing an enteroviral vaccine to prevent the onset of type one diabetes and/or any CD3, CD32B/CD79B or anti-IL-15 targeted interception for the treatment of prevention of any disease in humans. In the event Company in-licenses or acquires other assets while the Executive is still employed by the Company, the definition of Competitor, subject to prior notice and the mutual written agreement of the parties, will be expanded to include the specific mechanisms of action against which the in-licensed or acquired assets are at that time known to be targeted.

 

It is expressly agreed that the non-compete and non-solicitation provisions of this Section 4.8 contain the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to Executive’s obligations and supersede any other agreement between the Company and the Executive regarding non-competition and non-solicitation of customers.

 

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ARTICLE 5

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 5.1. Company Non-Disclosure and Invention Assignment Agreement. Concurrent with the execution of this Agreement, Executive shall enter into an Employee Non-Disclosure and Invention Assignment Agreement (“Covenants Agreement”), the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. The Covenants Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Executive’s employment by the Company for the applicable period(s) set forth therein.

 

Section 5.2. Expenses. Each of the Company and the Executive shall bear its/his own costs, fees and expenses in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement.

 

Section 5.3. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, any Stock Option Grant Agreement, and the Covenants Agreement contain the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment during the Term and activities following termination of this Agreement and the Executive’s employment with the Company and supersede any and all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, the Covenants Agreement or any Stock Option Grant Agreement. To the extent there is any conflict with regard to the terms of this Agreement, any Stock Option Grant Agreement and the Covenants Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control. Each party hereto acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or agreements, whether oral or in writing, have been made by any party, or on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, in the Covenants Agreement or any Stock Option Grant Agreement. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company has fully satisfied, and has no further, obligations to the Executive arising under, or relating to, any other employment or consulting arrangement or understanding (including, without limitation, any claims for compensation or benefits of any kind) or otherwise. No agreement, promise or statement not contained in this Agreement, the Covenants Agreement or any Stock Option Grant Agreement shall be valid and binding, unless agreed to in writing and signed by the parties sought to be bound thereby.

 

Section 5.4. No Other Contracts. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive nor the performance by the Executive of the Executive’s obligations hereunder, shall constitute a default under or a breach of the terms of any other agreement, contract or other arrangement, whether written or oral, to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is bound, nor shall the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive nor the performance by the Executive of his duties and obligations hereunder give rise to any claim or charge against either the Executive, the Company or any Affiliate, based upon any other contract or other arrangement, whether written or oral, to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is bound. The Executive further represents and warrants to the Company that he is not a party to or subject to any restrictive covenants, legal restrictions or other agreement, contract or arrangement, whether written or oral, in favor of any entity or person which would in any way preclude, inhibit, impair or limit the Executive’s ability to perform his obligations under this Agreement or the Covenants Agreement, including, but not limited to, non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements or confidentiality agreements. The Executive shall defend, indemnify and hold the Company harmless from and against all claims, actions, losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and amounts paid in settlement in good faith) arising from or relating to any breach of the representations and warranties made by the Executive in this Section 5.4.

 

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Section 5.5. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service (with next business day delivery requested). Any such notice or communication shall be deemed given and effective, in the case of personal delivery, upon receipt by the other party, and in the case of a courier service, upon the next business day, after dispatch of the notice or communication. Any such notice or communication shall be addressed as follows:

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Provention Bio, Inc.

PO Box 666

Oldwick, NJ 08858

Attn: Board of Directors

 

With a copy to:

 

Lowenstein Sandler LLP

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Attn: Michael J. Lerner, Esq., mlerner@lowenstein.com

 

If to the Executive, to:

 

Ashleigh Palmer

[**]

 

Any person named above may designate another or an additional notification address and contact person by giving notice in accordance with this Section to the other persons named above.

 

Section 5.6. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to principles of conflicts of law. Any and all actions arising out of this Agreement or Employee’s employment by Company or termination therefrom shall be brought and heard in the state and federal courts of the State of New Jersey and the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any such courts. The Company and the Executive HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION CONCERNING THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY AND ALL MATTERS ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY HEREFROM AND REPRESENT THAT THEY HAVE CONSULTED WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR CHOICE OR HAVE CHOSEN VOLUNTARILY NOT TO DO SO SPECIFICALLY WITH RESPECT TO THIS WAIVER.

 

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Section 5.7. Waiver. Either party hereto may waive compliance by the other party with any provision of this Agreement. The failure of a party to insist on strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. No waiver of any provision shall be construed as a waiver of any other provision. Any waiver must be in writing.

 

Section 5.8. Severability. If any one or more of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated and the parties will attempt to agree upon a valid and enforceable provision which shall be a reasonable substitute for such invalid and unenforceable provision in light of the tenor and terms of this Agreement, and, upon so agreeing, shall incorporate such substitute provision in this Agreement. In addition, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall be construed, by limiting or reducing it, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with then applicable law.

 

Section 5.9. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each such duplicate counterpart shall constitute an original, any one of which may be introduced in evidence or used for any other purpose without the production of its duplicate counterpart. Moreover, notwithstanding that any of the parties did not execute the same counterpart, each counterpart shall be deemed for all purposes to be an original, and all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument, binding on all of the parties hereto.

 

Section 5.10. Advice of Counsel. This Agreement was prepared by Lowenstein Sandler LLP in its capacity as legal counsel to the Company. Both parties hereto acknowledge that they have had the opportunity to seek and obtain the advice of counsel before entering into this Agreement and have done so to the extent desired, and have fully read the Agreement and understand the meaning and import of all the terms hereof.

 

Section 5.11. Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns (including, without limitation, the purchaser of all or substantially all of its assets) and shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. This Agreement is personal to the Executive, and the Executive shall not assign or delegate his rights or duties under this Agreement, and any such assignment or delegation shall be null and void.

 

Section 5.12. Agreement to Take Actions. Each party to this Agreement shall execute and deliver such documents, certificates, agreements and other instruments, and shall take all other actions, as may be reasonably necessary or desirable in order to perform his or its obligations under this Agreement.

 

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Section 5.13. No Attachment. Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation or to execution, attachment, levy or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any such action shall be null, void and of no effect; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 5.13 shall preclude the assumption of such rights by executors, administrators or other legal representatives of the Executive or the Executive’s estate and their assigning any rights hereunder to the person or persons entitled thereto.

 

Section 5.14. Source of Payment. Except as otherwise provided under the terms of any applicable employee benefit plan, all payments provided for under this Agreement shall be paid in cash from the general funds of Company. The Company shall not be required to establish a special or separate fund or other segregation of assets to assure such payments, and, if the Company shall make any investments to aid it in meeting its obligations hereunder, the Executive shall have no right, title or interest whatever in or to any such investments except as may otherwise be expressly provided in a separate written instrument relating to such investments. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship, between the Company and the Executive or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company hereunder, such right, without prejudice to rights which employees may have, shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured creditor of the Company. The Executive shall not look to the owners of the Company for the satisfaction of any obligations of the Company under this Agreement.

 

Section 5.15. Tax Withholding. The Company or other payor is authorized to withhold from any benefit provided or payment due hereunder, the amount of withholding taxes due any federal, state or local authority in respect of such benefit or payment and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Board to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes. The Executive will be solely responsible for all taxes assessed against him under applicable law with respect to the compensation and benefits described in this Agreement, other than employer-paid taxes such as FICA and employer withholding obligations, and the Company makes no representations as to the tax treatment of such compensation and benefits.

 

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Section 5.16. 409A Compliance. All payments under this Agreement are intended to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”). As used in this Agreement, the “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. To the extent permitted under applicable regulations and/or other guidance of general applicability issued pursuant to Section 409A, the Company reserves the right to modify this Agreement to conform with any or all relevant provisions regarding compensation and/or benefits so that such compensation and benefits are exempt from the provisions of 409A and/or otherwise comply with such provisions so as to avoid the tax consequences set forth in Section 409A and to assure that no payment or benefit shall be subject to an “additional tax” under Section 409A. To the extent that any provision in this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A, or to the extent any provision in this Agreement must be modified to comply with Section 409A, such provision shall be read in such a manner so that no payment due to the Executive shall be subject to an “additional tax” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. If necessary to comply with the restriction in Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code concerning payments to “specified employees,” any payment on account of the Executive’s separation from service that would otherwise be due hereunder within six (6) months after such separation shall be delayed until the first business day of the seventh month following the Termination Date and the first such payment shall include the cumulative amount of any payments (without interest) that would have been paid prior to such date if not for such restriction. Each payment in a series of payments hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. In no event may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment. All reimbursements provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of Section 4.1 unless the Executive would be considered to have incurred a “termination of employment” from the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii). In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the Executive by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.

 

Section 5.17. 280G Modified Cutback.

 

(a) If any payment, benefit or distribution of any type to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable, provided or to be provided, or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (collectively, the “Parachute Payments”) would subject the Executive to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), the Parachute Payments shall be reduced so that the maximum amount of the Parachute Payments (after reduction) shall be one dollar ($1.00) less than the amount which would cause the Parachute Payments to be subject to the Excise Tax; provided that the Parachute Payments shall only be reduced to the extent the after-tax value of amounts received by the Executive after application of the above reduction would exceed the after-tax value of the amounts received without application of such reduction. For this purpose, the after-tax value of an amount shall be determined taking into account all federal, state, and local income, employment, payroll and excise taxes applicable to such amount. Unless the Executive shall have given prior written notice to the Company to effectuate a reduction in the Parachute Payments if such a reduction is required, which notice shall be consistent with the requirements of Section 409A to avoid the imposition of any tax, penalty or interest thereunder, then the Company shall reduce or eliminate the Parachute Payments by first reducing or eliminating any cash payments (with the payments to be made furthest in the future being reduced first), then by reducing or eliminating accelerated vesting of stock options or similar awards, and then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Parachute Payments; provided, that no such reduction or elimination shall apply to any non-qualified deferred compensation amounts (within the meaning of Section 409A) to the extent such reduction or elimination would accelerate or defer the timing of such payment in manner that does not comply with Section 409A.

 

  -13-  

 

 

(b) An initial determination as to whether (x) any of the Parachute Payments received by the Executive in connection with the occurrence of a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company shall be subject to the Excise Tax, and (y) the amount of any reduction, if any, that may be required pursuant to the previous paragraph, shall be made by an independent accounting firm selected by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”) prior to the consummation of such change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company. The Executive shall be furnished with notice of all determinations in reasonable detail made as to the Excise Tax payable with respect to the Executive’s Parachute Payments, together with the related calculations of the Accounting Firm, promptly after such determinations and calculations have been received by the Company.

 

(c) For purposes of this Section 5.17, (i) no portion of the Parachute Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Executive shall have effectively waived in writing prior to the date of payment of the Parachute Payments shall be taken into account; (ii) no portion of the Parachute Payments shall be taken into account which in the opinion of the Accounting Firm does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code; (iii) the Parachute Payments shall be reduced only to the extent necessary so that the Parachute Payments (other than those referred to in the immediately preceding clause (i) or (ii)) in their entirety constitute reasonable compensation for services actually rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code or are otherwise not subject to disallowance as deductions, in the opinion of the auditor or tax counsel referred to in such clause (ii); and (iv) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Parachute Payments shall be determined by the Company’s independent auditors based on Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code and the regulations for applying those sections of the Code, or on substantial authority within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code.

 

Section 5.18. Recoupment of Erroneously Awarded Compensation. Any incentive-based or other compensation paid to the Executive under this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, stock exchange listing requirement or any clawback policy adopted by the Company from time to time before the date of the award of the incentive based or other compensation will be subject to the deductions and clawback as may be required by such law, government regulation, stock exchange listing requirement or clawback policy. In addition, if the Executive is or becomes an executive officer subject to the incentive compensation repayment requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), then if required by the Dodd-Frank Act or any of its regulations he will enter into an amendment to this Agreement or a separate written agreement with the Company to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act and any of its regulations.

 

  -14-  

 

 

Section 5.19. Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, “Change in Control” means (x) a change in ownership of the Company under clause (i) below or (y) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company under clause (ii) below, or (z) a change in the majority of the Board in a twelve (12) month period under clause (iv) below:

 

(i) Change in the Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company shall occur on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in clause (iii) below), acquires ownership of capital stock of the Company that, together with capital stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the capital stock of the Company. However, if any one person or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the capital stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional capital stock by the same person or persons shall not be considered to be a change in the ownership of the Company. An increase in the percentage of capital stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which the Company acquires capital stock in the Company in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this paragraph.

 

(ii) Change in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets shall occur on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in clause (iii) below), acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 80 percent of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, 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. There is no Change in Control under this clause (ii) when there is a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the Company immediately after the transfer, as provided below in this clause (ii). A transfer of assets by the Company is not treated as a change in the ownership of such assets if the assets are transferred to (a) a shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its capital stock, (b) an entity, 50 percent or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (c) a person, or more than one person acting as a group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding capital stock of the Company, or (d) an entity, at least 50 percent of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in clause (ii)(c) of this paragraph. For purposes of this clause (ii), a person’s status is determined immediately after the transfer of the assets.

 

(iii) Persons Acting as a Group. For purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) above, persons will not be considered to be acting as a group solely because they purchase or own capital stock or purchase assets of the Company at the same time. However, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of assets or capital stock, or similar business transaction with the Company. If a person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of assets or capital stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other shareholders in a corporation only with respect to the ownership in that corporation before the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “corporation” shall have the meaning assigned such term under Treasury Regulation section 1.280G-1, Q&A-45.

 

(iv) Change in Board of Directors. A Change in Control will be deemed to occur on the date a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board before the date of the appointment or election.

 

(v) Each of clauses (i) through (iv) above shall be construed and interpreted consistent with the requirements of Section 409A and any Treasury Regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

  -15-  

 

 

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

 

  COMPANY
   
  Provention bio, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Andrew Drechsler
  Name: Andrew Drechsler
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
     
  EXECUTIVE
     
    /s/ Ashely Palmer
    Ashleigh Palmer

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement - Palmer]

 

     

 

 

 

[DATE]

 

Ashleigh Palmer

 

Dear Ashleigh:

 

This separation and general release agreement (the “Agreement”) confirms the agreement between you and Provention Bio, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) regarding your separation from employment with the Company and sets forth the terms and conditions of your termination, including the Payments (as defined below) that you will receive if you (a) sign and return this Agreement to the Company within 21 days of receipt (but in no event prior to the Separation Date), (b) do not revoke this Agreement during the 7 day revocation period explained in Section 5 below and (c) comply with the other terms of this Agreement. By signing and delivering this Agreement, you will be entering into a binding agreement with the Company and agreeing to the terms and conditions in the numbered sections below, including the general release of claims in Section 4. Therefore, you are advised to consult with an attorney of your choice before signing this Agreement. If you choose not to sign and return this Agreement by the deadline or if you revoke your acceptance of this Agreement, you will not receive the Payments described in Section 3.

 

  1. Separation.

 

  (a) As of [DATE], your employment will end as a result of [a termination without Cause] or [a termination for Good Reason] as such term is defined in your First Amended Employment Agreement dated as of April ____, 2020 (the “Employment Agreement”) and therefore your employment will end on _____________ (the “Separation Date”).
     
  (b) You will receive your final paycheck with respect to your employment with the Company on the next regular paydate following the Separation Date. Your final paycheck will include payment for all salary/wages, less applicable withholdings and deductions, due to you through and including the Separation Date and any outstanding eligible out of pocket expenses which must be promptly submitted in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies. You will receive this payment even if you choose not to enter into this Agreement.

 

  2. Employee Benefits. Your active participation in the Company’s group health insurance plan(s), if any, will end on the last calendar day of the month during which the Separation Date occurs. Coverage under any other group benefit plans or programs in which you participated, if any, will also end on the Separation Date. Regardless of whether you enter into this Agreement, you may have the right to continue the medical and/or dental insurance coverage that you had in effect as of the Separation Date (generally for up to 18 months) under COBRA or state law equivalent. To continue health insurance coverage under COBRA or state law equivalent, you must pay the full premium cost plus the administrative fee, except as provided in Section 3 below. You will receive benefits continuation notices and information about your 401(k) account (if any), in separate letters. If you had group life insurance, you also will receive information about the option to convert this coverage to an individual policy. All unvested benefits shall terminate or forfeit as of the Separation Date in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program.

 

     

 

 

  3. Consideration. If you choose to sign and return this Agreement within the required time period, you do not revoke the waiver in Section 5 of this Agreement, and you abide by the other terms of this Agreement, the Company agrees to provide you with the payments and other benefits set forth in the Employment Agreement associated with [a termination without Cause] or [a termination for Good Reason]. You acknowledge that you are not otherwise entitled to such payments or benefits and that the Company would not agree to provide you with the payments and/or benefits without your general release of claims and other promises in this Agreement. You also agree that the payments and/or benefits constitute good and valuable consideration for your general release of claims and other promises in this Agreement.
     
  4. Your General Release of Claims as against the Company Released Parties In exchange for the consideration described in Section 3 to which you are not otherwise entitled, you (for yourself and your heirs, executors, administrators, beneficiaries, personal representatives and assigns) hereby completely, forever, irrevocably and unconditionally release and discharge, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company, the Company’s past, present and future parent organizations, subsidiaries and other affiliated entities, related companies and divisions, including, without limitation, the Company and its past, present and future officers, directors, employees, shareholders, trustees, members, partners, consultants, advisors, attorneys and agents (in each case, individually and in their official capacities), and each of their respective employee benefit plans (and such plans’ fiduciaries, agents, administrators and insurers, individually and in their official capacities), as well as any predecessors, future successors or assigns or estates of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Company Released Parties”) from any and all claims, actions, charges, controversies, causes of action, suits, rights, demands, liabilities, obligations, damages, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages and obligations of any kind or character whatsoever, that you ever had, now have or may in the future claim to have by reason of any act, conduct, omission, transaction, agreement, occurrence or any other matter whatsoever occurring up to and including the date that you sign this Agreement. Each Released Party shall be an express, intended third-party beneficiary of this Agreement. This general release of claims (all referred to here, in as the “Claims”) includes, without limitation, any and all claims:

 

  of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or wrongful termination;
  for breach of contract (including but not limited to under the Employment Agreement), whether oral, written, express or implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel or slander; negligence; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; personal injury; compensatory or punitive damages, or any other claim for damages or injury of any kind whatsoever;

 

     18

 

 

  for violation or alleged violation of any federal, state or municipal statute, rule, regulation or ordinance, including, but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Family & Medical Leave Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the federal False Claims Act, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, the New Jersey Family Leave Act, the New Jersey False Claims Act, and the New Jersey wage and hour laws, in each case, as such laws have been or may be amended;
  for employee benefits, including, without limitation, any and all claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974;
  to any non-vested ownership interest in the Company, contractual or otherwise, including, but not limited to, claims to stock or stock options;
  arising out of or relating to any promise, agreement, offer letter, contract (whether oral, written, express or implied), understanding, personnel policy or practice, or employee handbook;
  relating to or arising from your employment with the Company, the terms and conditions of that employment, and the termination of that employment, including, without limitation any and all claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation or wrongful discharge under any common law theory, public policy or any federal, state, or local statute or ordinance whether or not expressly listed above; and
  for monetary recovery, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, experts’ fees, expenses, costs and disbursements.

 

You expressly acknowledge that this general release of claims includes any and all claims arising up to and including the date you sign and return this Agreement which you have or may have against the Company Released Parties, whether such claims are known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, asserted or un-asserted, disclosed or undisclosed. By signing this Agreement, you expressly waive any right to assert that any such claim, demand, obligation or cause of action has, through ignorance or oversight, been omitted from the scope of this release and you further waive any rights under statute or common law principles that otherwise prohibit the release of unknown claims.

 

This general release of claims does not apply to, waive or affect: any rights or claims that may arise after the date you sign and return this Agreement; any claim for workers’ compensation benefits (but it does apply to, waive and affect claims of discrimination and/or retaliation on the basis of having made a workers’ compensation claim); claims for unemployment benefits or any other claims or rights that by law cannot be waived in a private agreement between an employer and employee (including any right to continue medical and/or dental coverage under COBRA or state law equivalent as a result of your termination); or your rights to any vested benefits to which you are entitled under the terms of the applicable employee benefit plan (the “Excluded Claims”). This general release of claims also does not apply to, waive, affect, limit or interfere with your preserved rights described in Section 12 below.

 

     19

 

 

  5. Waiver of Claims under ADEA; Time to Consider/Revoke. You acknowledge, understand and agree that the general release of claims in Section 4 above includes, but is not limited to, a waiver and release of all claims that you may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (the “ADEA”) arising up to and including the date that you sign this Agreement. As required by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, you are hereby advised that:

 

  you are not waiving any rights or claims under the ADEA that may arise after the date you sign and return this Agreement;
  you should consult with an attorney of your choice concerning your rights and obligations under this Agreement before signing this Agreement;
  you should fully consider this Agreement before signing it;
  nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes you from challenging (or seeking a determination of) the validity of the waiver under the ADEA;
  you have at least twenty one (21) days from the date you received this Agreement to consider whether or not you want to sign it. You also should understand that you may use as much or as little of the review period as you wish before deciding whether or not to sign this Agreement;
  if you do not sign and return this Agreement within the required time period, then the Company’s offer to provide you with the Payments described in Section 3 above, will automatically terminate;
  at any time within seven (7) days after signing this Agreement, you may change your mind and revoke your acceptance of this Agreement. To be effective, your revocation must be in writing and either hand-delivered or sent electronically to the Company within the 7-day period and shall only apply to the waiver described in this Section 5, and the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect;
  the waiver set forth in this Section 5 is not effective or enforceable until (and if) the revocation period has passed without a revocation;
  if you exercise your right to revoke the waiver set forth in this Section 5, the Company’s offer to provide you with the consideration described in Section 3 will not be enforceable; and
  if you do not revoke your acceptance of the waiver set forth in this Section 5, then the waiver set forth in this Section 5 shall automatically, without further action, notice, or deed, become effective on the 8th day following the date that you sign this Agreement will be the “Effective Date”.
     
  6. Company Release of You. The Company hereby completely, forever, irrevocably and unconditionally releases and discharges, to the maximum extent permitted by law, you from any and all Claims (as defined above) up to the date that the Company signs and returns this Agreement. In the event you revoke your ADEA waiver, this section 6 shall immediately be deemed null and void.
     
  7. No Pending Claims. You represent and warrant that you have no charges, lawsuits, or actions pending in your name against any of the Company Released Parties relating to any claim that has been released in this Agreement. You also represent and warrant that you have not assigned or transferred to any third party any right or claim against any of the Company Released Parties that you have released in this Agreement.

 

     20

 

 

  8. Covenant not to Sue. Except as provided in Section 12 below, you covenant and agree that you will not report, institute or file a charge, lawsuit or action (or encourage, solicit, or voluntarily assist or participate in, the reporting, instituting, filing or prosecution of a charge, lawsuit or action by a third party) against any of the Company Released Parties with respect to any claim that has been released in this Agreement.
     
  9. Cooperation with Investigations/Litigation. You agree, at the Company’s request, to reasonably cooperate, by providing truthful information, documents and testimony, in any Company investigation, litigation, arbitration, or regulatory proceeding regarding events that occurred during your employment with the Company. Your requested cooperation may include, for example, making yourself reasonably available to consult with the Company’s counsel, providing truthful information and documents, and appearing to give truthful testimony. The Company will, to the extent permitted by applicable law and court rules, reimburse you for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that you incur in providing any requested cooperation, so long as such expenses are pre-approved by the Company and you provide documentation satisfactory to the Company of the expenses. Nothing in this section is intended to, and shall not, preclude or limit your preserved rights described in Section 12 below.
     
  10. Continuing Obligations. You acknowledge and reaffirm, and agree to comply with, your obligations under your Employee Non-Disclosure and Invention Assignment Agreement dated as of __________ (the “Covenants Agreement”) or any other restrictive covenants agreement that you signed for the benefit of the Company as well as all surviving provisions of the Employment Agreement.
     
  11. Return of Company Documents and Other Property. You represent and warrant that you have or will return on or before the Separation Date to the Company any and all Company documents, materials and information (whether in hardcopy, on electronic media or otherwise) related to Company business and/or containing any non-public information concerning the Company or its clients, as well as all equipment, keys, access cards, credit cards, computers, computer hardware and software, electronic devices and any other Company property in your possession, custody or control. You also represent and warrant that you have not retained copies of any Company documents, materials or information (whether in hardcopy, on electronic media or otherwise). You also agree that you will disclose to the Company all passwords necessary or desirable to enable the Company to access all information which you have password-protected on any of its computer equipment or on its computer network or system.

 

     21

 

 

  12. Preserved Rights: This Agreement is not intended to, and shall not in any way, prohibit, limit or otherwise interfere with: (a) your protected rights under federal, state or local employment discrimination laws to communicate or file a charge with, or participate in an investigation or proceeding conducted by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or similar federal, state or local government body or agency charged with enforcing employment discrimination laws; provided, however, you shall not be entitled to any relief or recovery (whether monetary or otherwise), and you hereby waive any and all rights to relief or recovery, under, or by virtue of, any such filing of a charge with, or investigation, hearing or proceeding conducted by, the EEOC or any other similar federal, state or local government agency relating to any claim that has been released in this Agreement; or (b) your protected right to test in any court, under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, or like statute or regulation, the validity of the waiver of rights under ADEA in this Agreement; or (c) your right to enforce the terms of this Agreement and to exercise your rights relating to any other Excluded Claims.
     
  13. No Other Pay or Benefits. You acknowledge and agree that upon payment of the amounts described herein, you will have been paid for all work performed including, without limitation, all salary/wages, bonuses, overtime, commissions and any earned, but unused, vacation time due to you up through and including the last day of your employment. You acknowledge and agree that, except for the Company’s obligation to provide the Payments specifically provided in Section 3), you are entitled to no other payments or benefits and the Company Released Parties have no further obligations to you whatsoever, whether arising out of your employment with the Company, your separation from the Company or otherwise.
     
  14. No Admission. Nothing contained in this Agreement will constitute or be treated as an admission by you, the Company or any of the other Company Released Parties of any liability, wrongdoing or violation of law.
     
  15. Miscellaneous
     
  (a) This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding between you and the Company concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings (both written and oral) between you and the Company concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, except that the surviving provisions of the Covenants Agreement and the Employment Agreement remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may only be modified by a written document signed by you and an authorized officer of the Company.
     
  (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and the other Company Released Parties and shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. This Agreement also shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, you and your heirs, executors, administrators, trustees and legal representatives. This Agreement is personal to you and you may not assign or delegate your rights or duties under this Agreement, and any such assignment or delegation will be null and void.

 

     22

 

 

  (c) The provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any provision in this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and the invalid, illegal and unenforceable provision shall be reformed and construed so that it will be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
     
  (d) The Company and you shall each bear their own costs, fees (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees) and expenses in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement.
     
  (e) The failure of the Company to seek enforcement of any provision of this Agreement in any instance or for any period of time shall not be construed as a waiver of such provision or of the Company’s right to seek enforcement of such provision in the future.
     
  (f) Given the full and fair opportunity provided to each party to consult with their respective counsel regarding the terms of this Agreement, ambiguities shall not be construed against either party by virtue of such party having drafted the subject provision.
     
  (g) The headings in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
     
  (h) This Agreement and any disputes between the parties shall be interpreted in accordance with New Jersey law. The parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in New Jersey.
     
  (i) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Facsimile and pdf signatures shall have the same force and effect as original signatures. Any party hereto that provides a facsimile or pdf signature agrees to provide an original signature within a reasonable time.
     
  (j) The payments and benefits under this Agreement are intended to be exempt from or comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (together with the applicable regulations thereunder, “Section 409A”) and will be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment made under this Agreement will be treated as a separate payment. All reimbursements provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

     23

 

 

  16. Opportunity to Review. You represent and warrant that you:
     
  have been advised and encouraged by the Company to consult with your own independent counsel before signing this Agreement.
  have had sufficient opportunity to consider this Agreement;
  have carefully read this Agreement and understand all of its terms;
  are not incompetent and have not had a guardian, conservator or trustee appointed for you;
  have entered into this Agreement of your own free will and volition and that, except for the promises expressly made by the Company in this Agreement, no other promises or agreements of any kind have been made to you by any person or entity whatsoever to cause you to sign this Agreement;
  understand that you are responsible for your own attorneys’ fees and costs;
  have been advised and encouraged by the Company to consult with your own independent counsel before signing this Agreement;
  have had the opportunity to review this Agreement with counsel of your choice or have chosen voluntarily not to do so;
  you were given at least twenty one (21) days to review this Agreement before signing it and understood that you were free to use as much or as little of the review period as you wished or considered necessary before deciding to sign it; and
  understand that this Agreement is valid, binding, and enforceable against you and the Company according to its terms.

 

If you wish to accept this Agreement, please sign, date and return it within 21 days of receipt but in no event prior to the Separation Date.

 

Sincerely,  
     
   
Name:    
Title:    
     
Read, Accepted and Agreed to:  
     
   
Ashleigh Palmer  
     
Date:    

 

     24

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Provention Bio Announces Changes to its Board of Directors

 

  - Nancy Wysenski, a Seasoned Pharmaceutical Executive with Rare Disease and Commercialization Experience, Appointed as a New Director-
  - Anthony DiGiandomenico Steps Down as a Director After Three Years of Service-

 

OLDWICK, N.J., May 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Provention Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to intercepting and preventing immune-mediated diseases, today announced two changes to its board of directors.

 

Nancy Wysenski has been appointed to Provention’s board of directors. Ms. Wysenski, the former Chief Commercial Officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, brings over 30 years of leadership in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, and a proven track record in innovative therapeutic launches and corporate value creation, including rare life-impacting diseases with high unmet need.

 

“I am excited to join the board of Provention and bring my strategic marketing, market access, and launch experience as the Company builds out its commercial organization and prepares for the potential launch of teplizumab,” said Nancy Wysenski. “I am looking forward to working with my fellow directors and the management team to advance this important treatment in type one diabetes (T1D).”

 

Mr. DiGiandomenico has stepped down as director after three years of service on the board of Provention.

 

“The addition of Nancy to our Board confirms our commitment to bringing our potentially game-changing teplizumab therapy to the T1D community. I am very pleased to welcome Nancy to our board where we anticipate that her expertise, experience, guidance and governance will be invaluable,” stated Ashleigh Palmer, Chief Executive Officer. “I would also like to thank Anthony for the key role he has played in the formation and growth of Provention over the past three years.”

 

Ms. Wysenski served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals from December 2009 through her retirement in June 2012. During her tenure at Vertex, Ms. Wysenski was responsible for the launches of Incivek and Kalydeco. Prior to joining Vertex, Ms. Wysenski held the position of Chief Operating Officer of Endo Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company, where she led sales, marketing, commercial operations, supply chain management, human resources and various business development initiatives. Prior to her role at Endo, Ms. Wysenski participated in the establishment of EMD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where she held various leadership positions, including the role of President and Chief Executive Officer from 2001 to 2006 and Vice President of Commercial from 1999 to 2001. From 1984 to 1998, Ms. Wysenski held several sales-focused roles at major pharmaceutical companies, including Vice President of Field Sales for Astra Merck, Inc. Ms. Wysenski serves as a member of the board of directors of Alkermes plc and Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, each a publicly traded pharmaceutical company. Ms. Wysenski formerly served as a director for Dova Pharmaceuticals Inc., Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. She is a founder of the Research Triangle Park chapter of the Healthcare Business Women’s Association and served on the Nominating Committee and National Advisory Board of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association.

 

 
 

 

About Provention Bio, Inc.:

 

Provention Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRVB) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging a drug development strategy focused on the prevention or interception of immune-mediated disease. Provention’s mission is to source, transform and develop therapeutic candidates targeting the high morbidity, mortality and escalating costs of autoimmune diseases. Provention’s portfolio includes PRV-031 (teplizumab), a pre-commercial-stage candidate that has been shown to delay the onset of end-stage type one diabetes (T1D) in at-risk individuals with pre-symptomatic disease. The Company’s portfolio includes additional clinical-stage product development candidates currently in development for other autoimmune diseases, including celiac disease and lupus.

 

Forward Looking Statements:

 

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to the anticipated value of the addition of Ms. Wysenski to our board. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Provention’s current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the risks listed under “Risk factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and any subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. Provention does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof.

 

Investors:

Sam Martin, Argot Partners

sam@argotpartners.com

212-600-1902

 

Media:

Lori Rosen, LDR Communications

lori@ldrcommunications.com

917-553-6808