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): March 9, 2015


Heat Biologics, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

001-35994

26-2844103

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)


801 Capitola Drive

Durham, NC  27713

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)


(919) 240-7133

(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

 

N/A

(Former Name and Former Address)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

 

¨

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


 

¨

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12(b) 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))

 

 


 

 

 





Item 1.01

Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Heat Biologics, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Severance Agreement dated as of March 9, 2015 (the “Severance Agreement”) with Matthew Czajkowski, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.


Set forth below is a description of the material terms of the Severance Agreement; however, the description is qualified in its entirety by the complete terms of the Severance Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein: 

 

  

Mr. Czajkowski has irrevocably and voluntarily resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and all positions with the Company s subsidiaries effective as of March 15, 2015.

  

  

 

  

As of March 15, 2015, Mr. Czajkowski has no further obligation or authority to perform duties and functions on behalf of the Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates and will refrain from performing such duties or functions; however, Mr. Czajkowski has agreed to cooperate with the Company as necessary for the business of the Company when requested by the President, Chief Executive Officer and/or Chairperson of the Board.

  

  

 

  

In addition to accrued and unpaid base salary and expense reimbursement, the Company will pay Mr. Czajkowski an additional Forty-Five Thousand Dollars ($45,000), provided that Mr. Czajkowski does not violate the terms of the Severance Agreement.

  

  

 

  

Mr. Czajkowski has the ability to exercise all stock options issued to him that vested prior to the date of resignation at any time prior to the ten year anniversary of the date of grant and any unvested options at the time of resignation were immediately vested and are exercisable for 90 days after March 15, 2015.

  

  

 

  

For a period commencing on the effective date of the Severance Agreement and ending nine months after the effective date, Mr. Czajkowski agreed not to, directly or indirectly, either for himself or any other person, own, manage, control, materially participate in, invest in, permit his name to be used by, act as consultant or advisor to, render material services for (alone or in association with any person, firm, corporation or other business organization) or otherwise assist in any manner with any business which develops, markets, or sells any biologic or pharmaceutical product that is based upon heat shock protein-based cancer immunotherapy that is a competitor of the Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

 

The Severance Agreement also contains additional provisions that are customary for agreements of this type. These include confidentiality and non-solicitation provisions.  In connection with the foregoing and in consideration of the undertakings of the Company, Mr. Czajkowski executed a release pursuant to which he agreed not to sue the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, and related parties.  The Severance Agreement contained a similar release from the Company to Mr. Czajkowski.


The disclosure set forth in Item 5.02 below is incorporated herein by reference.  

Item 5.02

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

 

Effective March 15, 2015, Mr. Czajkowski will resign from his position as Chief Financial Officer in order to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda to assume the position of Country Director of Jibu, an organization which is working to provide permanent access to safe, affordable water and build locally owned businesses in East Africa. Mr. Czajkowski will also serve as Jibu’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Czajkowski’s resignation is not the result of any disagreement with the Company. Effective March 15, 2015, Stephen J. DiPalma, age 56, will assume the role of interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company upon the resignation of Mr. Czajkowski. Mr. DiPalma is Managing Director for Danforth Advisors LLC, and brings more than 25 years of experience in life sciences and healthcare, including founding two start-ups, working with venture-backed companies, subsidiaries of Fortune 100 firms and publicly traded companies, and his work as a consultant with Danforth Advisors, LLC clients. Previously, he served as the CFO of two public companies, and as CFO, COO, CEO or Director of eight privately held companies, in addition to his consulting clients. Mr. DiPalma participated in the successful reorganization of Cambridge Biotech from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection into Aquila BioPharmaceuticals, led the effort to take RXi Pharmaceuticals public, and has extensive experience in international fund raising and corporate structuring. He was formerly Chairman of the Board of Cognoptix Inc., and is on the Board of Directors of Phytera, Inc. Mr. DiPalma received his M.B.A. from Babson College and his B.S. from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

On March 9, 2015, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Danforth Advisors, LLC (“Danforth”), pursuant to which Danforth will provide finance, accounting and administrative functions, including interim chief financial officer services to be provided by Mr. DiPalma, to the Company. The Company will pay Danforth an agreed upon hourly rate for such services and will reimburse Danforth for expenses. The Consulting Agreement will continue until December 31, 2015 and may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties. The Consulting Agreement may be terminated by the Company with cause immediately and without cause, upon 30 days written notice.




Other than as described above there are no related party transactions between the Company and Mr. DiPalma and Mr. DiPalma is neither related to, nor does he have any relationship with, any existing member of the board of directors of the Company or any executive officer of the Company.

See Item 1.01 for a description of the terms of the Severance Agreement with Matthew Czajkowski.


Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure.   

On March 9, 2015, the Company issued a press release announcing that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) granted FAST Track designation for HS-410 for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The Company’s press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

The information included in this Item 7.01 and in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.


Item 8.01

Other Events.


On March 9, 2015, the Company announced that the FDA granted FAST Track designation for HS-410 for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The FDA established the FAST Track Drug Development Program under the FDA Modernization Act of 1997.  The program is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of therapies intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. The advantages of FAST Track designation include actions to expedite development, including opportunities for frequent interactions with the FDA review team to discuss all aspects of development to support approval and eligibility for priority review depending on clinical data at the time of Biologics License Application (BLA) submission.


Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)  

Exhibits.

  

The following exhibits are being filed as part of this Current Report.


Exhibit

Number

 

Description

                         

    

 

10.1

 

Severance Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2015 with Matthew Czajkowski

99.1

 

Press Release of Heat Biologics, Inc., dated March 9, 2015













  

SIGNATURES


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


Dated:  March 10, 2015

HEAT BIOLOGICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeffrey A. Wolf

 

Name:

Jeffrey A. Wolf

 

Title:

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer










EXHIBIT 10.1


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

 

THIS SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of March 9, 2015 (the “Execution Date”), between Matthew Czajkowski, an individual (the “Executive”), and Heat Biologics, Inc. (“Heat”), a Delaware corporation, recites and provides as follows:

 

WHEREAS, Executive served as the Chief Financial Officer of Heat pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated May 15, 2013, as amended on May 1, 2014 (the “Employment Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, Executive and Heat desire to terminate the Employment Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, Heat and Executive have reached agreement on all matters relating to the employment of Executive by Heat and its subsidiaries and the termination of his Employment Agreement; and his membership on the board of directors of any subsidiary; and

 

WHEREAS, Heat and Executive desire to set forth all of the terms and conditions of their agreement in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon their mutual promises and other good and valuable consideration, Heat and Executive agree as follows:

 

1.

RESIGNATION.  (a) Executive hereby irrevocably and voluntarily resigns from his position as Chief Financial Officer of Heat and from any position with any subsidiary or affiliate of Heat, including as a director (the “Resignation Date”). After the Resignation Date, Executive shall have no further obligation or authority to perform duties and functions on behalf of Heat and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates and shall refrain from performing such duties or functions.   Executive agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to Heat and its legal counsel in connection with any litigation (including without limitation arbitration or administrative hearings) or investigations affecting Heat in which Executive’s assistance or cooperation is needed as determined. Heat agrees to pay Executive a fee equal to $250 per hour for such assistance and all of Executive’s reasonable expenses in connection therewith.  In addition, Executive shall provide reasonable assistance to the Company in connection with the transition of Executive’s duties.


b.     

NO CONTACT.  For a period of twelve months following the Effective Date Executive will not discuss Heat, Heat Related Parties and those entities’ respective businesses or operations with any third parties.


2.       

SEVERANCE COMPENSATION.  In consideration of Executive’s undertakings contained in this Agreement, Heat:

 

a.     

acknowledges that Executive has been paid all of his accrued base salary, accrued vacation pay and expense reimbursements.

 

b.    

On or before five (5) days after the Effective Date, shall pay Executive a lump sum of Forty Five Thousand Dollars ($45,000), net of all payroll, Medicare, Social Security, state and federal taxes and deductions which the Company is obligated to make as a severance payment.


 


3.     

RELEASES.

 

a.     

In consideration of Heat’s undertakings contained in this Agreement , Executive has executed the Release, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and expressly incorporated in this Agreement (the “Release”), at the time of execution of this Agreement.  





b.     

In consideration of Executive’s undertakings contained in the Severance Agreement to which Heat is not otherwise entitled, from and after the Effective Date Heat releases Executive from, and promises and agrees not to sue Executive for or in respect of, any and all claims, charges, complaints, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, damages, actions and expenses (including attorney’s fees and costs) of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, which Heat now has or claims to have against Executive from the beginning of time to the date of this Agreement, provided , however , that this release shall not bar or waive any claims arising out of business-related willful misconduct or criminal conduct.


4.     

NO BENEFITS NOT SET OUT IN THIS AGREEMENT.  No salary, benefits, bonus payment, vacation pay, sick pay or other payments or additional monies beyond the sums identified in Paragraph 2 and Paragraph 8 of this Agreement will be made by Heat to Executive or on Executive’s behalf and the parties agree that no salary, benefits, bonus payment or other payments beyond the sums identified in Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 8 are owing, except for any amounts that are owed to Executive pursuant to certain Letter Agreements dated December 18, 2014, January 30, 2015 and March 3, 2015 between the Company and Executive.


5.     

NO DISPARAGEMENT.

 

a.     

In consideration of Heat’s undertakings contained in this Agreement to which Executive is not otherwise entitled, Executive agrees that he and his agents, family and/or representatives shall refrain from: (i) all conduct, verbal or otherwise, which would materially damage the reputation, goodwill or standing in the community of Heat, its affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, agents and related parties and their respective principals, owners (direct or indirect), members, directors, officers, agents, servants, employees, parties, attorneys and other professionals, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Heat Related Parties”); and (ii) referring to or in any way commenting on Heat and/or any of the other Heat Related Parties in or through the general media or any public domain (including without limitation, internet websites, blogs, chat rooms and the like), which would materially damage the reputation, goodwill or standing in the community of Heat and/or any of the other Heat Related Parties.

 

b.

In consideration of Executive’s undertakings contained in this Agreement to which Heat is not otherwise entitled, Heat and its officers and directors  agree that they shall refrain from: (i) all conduct, verbal or otherwise, which would materially damage the reputation, goodwill or standing in the community of Executive, including without limitation in response to any requests for references and (ii) referring to or in any way commenting on Executive in or through the general media or any public domain (including without limitation, internet websites, blogs, chat rooms and the like), which would materially damage the reputation, goodwill or standing in the community of Executive.

 

6.     

TERMS ARE CONFIDENTIAL.  Until such time as Heat is required to disclose the existence and terms of this Agreement, Executive shall keep the terms and conditions of this Agreement strictly confidential.  Executive hereby agrees not to disclose the existence of this Agreement or any of the terms of this Agreement (including without limitation the amounts referred to in Paragraph 2) to any person, including without limitation, any current or former employee of or applicant for employment with Heat and/or any of the other Heat Related Parties, with the exception of Executive’s attorney, accountant, tax preparer or spouse or as compelled by legal process, provided Executive’s attorneys, accountants, tax preparers, or spouses are informed of this provision requiring confidentiality and such person agrees to be bound by its terms.

 

7.     

RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY.  All documents, records, data, equipment (including, without limitation: any computer or computers; any electronic storage device; computer hard drives; flash drives; discs and the like), Heat charge or credit cards, any Heat electronic communication devices (including cellular telephones, BlackBerry®, PDA and the like) and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Confidential Information, which were furnished to Executive by Heat or were procured by Executive in connection with Executive’s services to Heat and/or is subsidiaries or affiliates will be and remain the sole property of Heat. Executive will return to Heat forthwith all such materials and property.   

 



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8.     

STOCK SHARES AND OPTIONS.


a. Heat acknowledges that Executive’s stock options exercisable for 26,149 shares of common stock (“Vested Options”) shall vest by March 9, 2015 and the Vested Options shall be exercisable any time prior to the ten year anniversary of the date of issuance (of the Vested Options, options exercisable for 23,441 shares of common stock have an exercise price of $8.81 per share and options exercisable for 2,708 shares of common stock have an exercise price of $8.62 per share) and that stock options exercisable for an additional 15,286 shares of common stock (“Resignation Date Options”) shall have accelerated vesting and shall vest on the Resignation Date and shall be exercisable at any time prior to the date that is ninety (90) days after the Resignation Date (of the Resignation Date Options, options exercisable for 12,786 shares of common stock have an exercise price of $8.81 per share and options exercisable for 2,500 shares of common stock have an exercise price of $8.62 per share .  

        


9.  

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

a.     

“Confidential Information” means any information concerning or referring in any way to the business of Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates disclosed to or acquired by the Executive through or as a consequence of the Executive’s affiliation as an employee of Heat and/or member of it and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates. For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information consists of information proprietary to Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates which is not generally known to the public and which in the ordinary course of business is maintained by Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates as confidential. By way of example and without limitation, Confidential Information consists of computer software, trade secrets, patents, inventions, copyrights, techniques, designs, and other technical information in any way concerning or referring to scientific, technical or mechanical aspects of Heat’s and/or its subsidiaries’ and affiliates’ products, concepts, processes, machines, engineering, research and development. Confidential Information also includes, without limitation, information in any way concerning or referring to Heat’s and/or its subsidiaries’ and affiliates’ business methods, business plans, forecasts and projections, operations, organizational structure, finances, customers, funding, pricing, costing, marketing, purchasing, merchandising, sales, products, product information, suppliers, customers, employees or their compensation, data processing, software and all other information designated by Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates as “confidential.” Confidential Information shall not include any information or material that is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a wrongful disclosure by (a) a person otherwise bound to the provisions hereof, or (b) any person bound by a duty of confidentiality or similar duty owed to Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

b.     

DUTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY. Executive will maintain in confidence and will not, directly or indirectly, disclose or use (or allow others to disclose or use) any Confidential Information belonging to Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates, whether in oral, written, electronic or permanent form, except as directed in writing by the Board of Directors of Heat and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

 

c.     

Executive shall deliver forthwith to Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates as the case may be all original Confidential Information (and all copies thereof) in Executive’s possession or control belonging to Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates and all tangible items embodying or containing Confidential Information.

 

d.     This Agreement is in addition to the confidentiality and other provisions of any other agreement between the Executive and Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

e.     INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. Executive acknowledges that a violation or attempted violation on Executive’s part of any agreement in this Paragraph 9 will  cause irreparable damage to Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates, and accordingly, Executive agrees that Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates as the case may be shall be entitled as a matter of right to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction restraining any violation or further violation of such agreement by Executive without the obligation of posting a bond; such right to an injunction, however, shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever other remedies that



3



Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates may have.  The existence of any claim of Executive, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by Heat of the covenants contained in this Agreement.

 

f.    

ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS. Executive has disclosed to Heat any and all designs, intellectual property, software, inventions, discoveries, or improvements (individually and collectively, “Inventions”) made by Executive as a result or product of his employment relationship with Heat and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Executive hereby assigns to Heat or its relevant subsidiary or affiliate without additional compensation the entire worldwide right, title and interest in and to any such Inventions (whether disclosed or not), and related intellectual property rights and without limitation all copyrights, copyright renewals or reversions, trademarks, trade names, trade dress rights, industrial design, industrial model, inventions, priority rights, patent rights, patent applications, patents, design patents and any other rights or protections in connection therewith or related thereto, for exploitation in any form or medium, of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether now known or hereafter devised. To the extent that any work created by Executive can be a work for hire pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law, the parties deem such work a work for hire and Executive should be considered the author thereof. Executive shall, at the request of Heat or its relevant subsidiary or affiliate, without additional compensation execute, acknowledge and deliver to Heat or its relevant subsidiary or affiliate such instruments and documents as Heat or its relevant subsidiary or affiliate may require to perfect, transfer and vest in Heat or its relevant subsidiary or affiliate the entire right, title and interest in and to such inventions. In the event that Executive does not timely perform such obligations, Executive hereby makes Heat or its relevant subsidiary or affiliate and its officers his attorney-in-fact and gives them the power of attorney to perform such obligations and to execute such documents on Executive’s behalf. Executive shall cooperate with Heat or its relevant subsidiary or affiliate, upon Heat’s or its relevant subsidiary’s or affiliate’s request and at Heat’s or its relevant subsidiary’s or affiliate’s cost but without additional compensation, in the preparation and prosecution of patent, trademark, industrial design and model, and copyright applications worldwide for protection of rights to any Inventions.

 

10.    

NON-COMPETE; NON-SOLICITATION.

 

a.    

NON-COMPETE. For a period commencing on the Effective Date of this Agreement (as defined below) and ending nine months  after the Effective Date of this Agreement (the “Non-Competition Period”), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either for himself or any other person, own, manage, control, materially participate in, invest in, permit his name to be used by, act as consultant or advisor to, render material services for (alone or in association with any person, firm, corporation or other business organization) or otherwise assist in any work of a similar nature to his work with Heat for any business which develops, markets, or sells any biologic or pharmaceutical product that is based upon heat shock protein-based cancer immunotherapy (collectively, a “Competitor”).  Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than five percent (5%) of the equity securities of a Competitor which is publicly traded, so long as he has no active participation in the business of such Competitor.  Heat and Executive agree that this Section is in addition to Section 5 of the Employment Agreement.  

 

b.     

NON-SOLICITATION. During the Non-Competition Period identified in Paragraph 10(a) above, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly: (i) induce or attempt to induce or aid others in inducing anyone working at Heat or its subsidiaries or affiliates to cease working at Heat or its subsidiaries or affiliates, or in any way materially interfere with the relationship between Heat or its subsidiaries or affiliates and anyone working at Heat or its subsidiaries or affiliates except in the proper exercise of Executive’s authority; or (ii) induce or in any way materially interfere with the relationship between Heat or its subsidiaries or affiliates and any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of Heat or its subsidiaries or affiliates. .

 

c.     

SCOPE.  If, at the time of enforcement of this Paragraph 10, a court shall hold that the duration, scope, area or other restrictions stated herein are unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties agree that the maximum duration, scope, area or other restrictions reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated duration, scope, area or other restrictions.

 



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d.     

INDEPENDENT AGREEMENT.  The existence of any claim or cause of action of Executive against Heat or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether or not predicated upon the terms of this Agreement, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of these covenants.

 

e.     

INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.  Executive acknowledges that a violation or attempted violation on Executive’s part of any agreement in this Paragraph 10 will cause irreparable damage to Heat and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates, and accordingly, Executive agrees that Heat and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates shall be entitled as a manner of right to an injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction restraining any violation or further violation of such agreement by Executive without the obligation of posting a bond; such right to an injunction, however, shall be cumulative and in addition to whatever other remedies that Heat and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates may have. The existence of any claim of Executive, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by Heat and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates of the covenants contained in this Agreement.

 

11.     

ARBITRATION.  No dispute between one or more Heat Related Parties and Executive shall be the subject of a lawsuit filed in state or federal court. Instead, any such dispute shall be submitted to binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) or, if Heat and Executive agree in a separate writing, another individual or organization or an individual or organization that a court appoints. Notwithstanding the above, either Heat or Executive may file with an appropriate state or federal court a claim for injunctive relief in any case where the filing party seeks provisional injunctive relief or where permanent injunctive relief is not available in arbitration. The filing of a claim for injunctive relief in state or federal court shall not allow either party to raise any other claim outside of arbitration. It is understood that both sides are hereby waiving the right to a jury trial.

a.

The arbitration shall be initiated in Durham County, North Carolina and shall be administered by AAA under its commercial arbitration rules before a single arbitrator that shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on a single arbitrator, then an arbitrator shall be selected in accordance with the rules of AAA. The arbitration must be filed within one year of the act or omission which gives rise to the claim. Each party shall be entitled to take one deposition, and to take any other discovery as is permitted by the Arbitrator. In determining the extent of discovery, the Arbitrator shall exercise discretion, but shall consider the expense of the desired discovery and the importance of the discovery to a just adjudication.

 

b.

The Arbitrator shall render an award that conforms to the facts, as supported by competent evidence (except that the Arbitrator may accept written declarations under penalty of perjury, in addition to live testimony), and the law as it would be applied by a court sitting in the State of North Carolina. The cost of arbitration shall be advanced equally by the parties. Any party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for entry of judgment on the arbitration award.

 

c.

PRIOR AGREEMENTS SUPERSEDED.  This Agreement supersedes all previous Agreements between the Executive and Heat, including the Employment Agreement.  To the extent that there is any conflict between this Agreement and any earlier agreement between Heat and Executive, this Agreement governs.

 

12.     

SUCCESSORS.

 

a.     

This Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by Executive.


b.     

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of Heat and its successors and assigns. Heat may assign this Agreement to any successor or affiliated entity, subsidiary, sibling, or parent company, provided that such assignee is financially qualified to fulfill obligations hereunder and in the event of such assignment, Heat agrees to guarantee all obligations hereunder.



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13.     MISCELLANEOUS

 a.     

 Executive shall notify Heat of any and all employment or other compensated work he obtains during the period from the Effective Date of this Agreement through and including December 31, 2015.


b..     

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.  This Agreement contains the full and complete understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior understandings, whether written or oral, pertaining to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by written agreement executed by Executive and by the designated representative of the Board.

 

c.     

All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery or, by reputable overnight courier (such as Federal Express or UPS), by facsimile, or by e-mail to such address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice may be given to Heat or Executive as follows:


 

 

For Heat:

For Executive:

 

 

 

 

801 Capitola Drive

Durham, NC 27713

1083 Burning Tree Drive

Chapel Hill, NC 27517


 

 

With a Copy to:

With a copy to:

 

 

Gracin & Marlow, LLP

The Chrysler Building

405 Lexington Avenue, 26 th Floor

New York, New York 10174

Attention: Leslie Marlow, Esq.

The Worm Law Firm, PC

4706 St. Thomas Place

Raleigh, NC  27612

Attention:  Kathleen N. Worm, Esq.


d.     

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

 

e.     

The failure of either party to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement, or the failure to assert any right either party may have hereunder, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.

 

f.     

Executive may revoke the Release during the seven-day period following his execution of the Release.  He may do so by providing written notice to Heat of his decision to revoke the Release which must be received by Heat prior to the eighth day. This Agreement shall become effective on the eighth day after the Executive executes the Release attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement, provided the Executive does not exercise his right to revoke the Release (“Effective Date”).  If Executive revokes the Release during such seven-day period, this Agreement shall not become effective.



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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , Executive has hereunto set Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, Heat has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.



HEAT BIOLOGICS, INC. ,
a Delaware corporation

 

 

EXECUTIVE


 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeffrey Wolf

 

 

/s/ Matthew Czajkowski

 

Jeffrey Wolf

 

 

Matthew Czajkowski

 

 



























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EXHIBIT A

RELEASE

 

This Release dated as of March 9, 2015, between Matthew Czajkowski, an individual (the “Executive”), and Heat Biologics, Inc. (“Heat”), a Delaware corporation, recites and provides as follows:

 

WHEREAS, Executive serves or served as the Chief Financial Officer of Heat and as an officer and director of certain of  its subsidiaries pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated May 15, 2013, as amended on May 1, 2014 (the “Employment Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, Executive and Heat desire to terminate the Employment Agreement and Executive has resigned his employment with Heat, its subsidiaries and his  membership on the board of directors of Heat’s subsidiaries; and

 

WHEREAS, Heat and Executive have reached agreement on all matters relating to the employment of Executive by Heat and its subsidiaries, and the termination of his Employment Agreement with Heat and its subsidiaries; and his membership on the board of directors of Heat’s subsidiaries; and

 

WHEREAS, Heat and Executive have set the terms and conditions of their agreement in the Severance Agreement dated March 9, 2015 (“Severance Agreement”) to which this Release is Exhibit A ; and

 

WHEREAS, the Severance Agreement obligates Executive to execute this Release.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon their mutual promises and other good and valuable consideration contained in the Severance Agreement, Executive agrees as follows:

 

1.

In consideration of Heat’s undertakings contained in the Severance Agreement to which Executive is not otherwise entitled, Executive releases Heat, its affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, agents and related parties and their respective principals, owners (direct or indirect), members, directors, officers, agents, servants, employees, parties, attorneys and other professionals, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Heat Related Parties”) from, and promises not to sue Heat and/or any of the other Heat Related Parties for or in respect of, any and all claims, charges, complaints, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, damages, actions and expenses (including attorney’s fees and costs) of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, which Executive now has or claims to have against Heat and/or any of the other Heat Related Parties jointly, severally or singly from the beginning of time to the date of this Agreement, including, without limitation, claims relating to Executive’s employment with Heat or the termination of his employment, claims based in contract, tort, constitutional, statutory or common law, and claims under any federal, state, or local statute, order, law or regulation, governing terms or conditions of employment, including but not limited to wages, benefits or discrimination in employment on the basis of any protected characteristic.  This release applies to rights and claims arising under the National Labor Relations Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. §§621, et seq .), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (“Title VII”), the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (“GINA”), Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) (excluding any claims for accrued, vested benefits), the North Carolina Fair Employment Practice Act (“FEPA”), and the North Carolina Wage Act.  This release does not release Heat or Heat Related Parties from obligations under the Severance Agreement.

 












































































































































































































































































































































































2.

Notwithstanding Paragraph 1 of this Release, Executive may bring a claim for breach of the Severance Agreement.  If any claim covered in Paragraph 1 of this Release, other than for a breach of the Severance Agreement or to enforce his rights under the Severance Agreement, is brought by Executive, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, Heat and/or the other Heat Related Parties shall be entitled to its and/or their attorney’s fees and costs upon prevailing on such claim.

 

3.  

Executive acknowledges the following:

 

a.  

He has read and understands this Release and the Severance Agreement;

 

b.  

Before executing this Release and the Severance Agreement, he has been offered at least 21 days to consider his rights and obligations under this Release and the Severance Agreement;

 

c.

The period of time he has to consider his rights and obligations under this Release and the Severance Agreement is reasonable;

 

d.   

Before executing this Release and the Severance Agreement, Heat advised him in writing to consult with an attorney and he has done so;

 

e.  

He has knowingly and voluntarily elected to enter into this Release and the Severance Agreement and releases Heat from any and all claims, subject to the stated limitations in this Release, in exchange for valuable consideration which is in addition to anything of value to which he is already entitled;

 

f.

The Release constitutes a waiver of all rights and claims he may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. §§621, et seq. );

 

g.   

This Release does not waive any rights or claims by Executive that may arise after this Release is finally accepted and executed; and,

 

h.  

For a period of seven days following the execution of this Release and the Severance Agreement, Executive may revoke this Release and the Severance Agreement by sending written notice of same to Heat, addressed to Mr. Jeffrey Wolf, 801 Capitola Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27713.  For the revocation to be effective, Heat must receive the written notice by not later than the close of business on the seventh day after Executive signs this Release.  This Release shall not become effective or enforceable until this seven-day revocation period has expired without Executive having exercised his right to revoke.


i.

Nothing in this Release and Severance Agreement is intended to, or shall, interfere with Executive’s rights under federal, state, or local civil rights or employment discrimination laws (including, but not limited to, Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, GINA, USERRA, or their state or local counterparts) to file or otherwise institute a charge of discrimination, to participate in a proceeding with any appropriate federal, state, or local government agency enforcing discrimination laws, or to cooperate with any such agency in its investigation, none of which shall constitute a breach of this Release and Severance Agreement. Executive shall not, however, be entitled to any relief, recovery, or monies in connection with any such action, charge or proceeding brought against Heat and/or the other Heat Related Parties, regardless of who filed or initiated any such complaint, charge, or proceeding.


   



2





 

HEAT BIOLOGICS, INC.,
a Delaware Corporation

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeffrey Wolf

 

 

/s/ Matthew Czajkowski

 

Jeffrey Wolf

 

 

Matthew Czajkowski

 





STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA:


COUNTY OF _________:



On the ____ day of March, in the year 2015 before me, the undersigned, personally appeared Jeffrey Wolf, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same in his capacity and with the authority of Heat Biologics, Inc., and that by his signature on the instrument, the corporation upon which the individual acted executed the instrument.

 



 

 

Notary Signature

 





 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA:


COUNTY OF _________:

 

 

On the ____ day of March in the year 2015 before me, the undersigned, personally appeared Matthew Czajkowski, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same in his capacity, and that by his signature on the instrument the individual executed the instrument.

 



 

 

Notary Signature

 


 



3


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EXHIBIT 99.1

Heat Biologics, Inc. Receives US FDA Fast Track Designation for HS-410 (Vesigenurtacel-L) in Combination with BCG for the Treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

-

Designation Expected To Expedite Development Of Cutting-Edge Cancer Immunotherapy  -


DURHAM, NC, March 9, 2015 – Heat Biologics, Inc.  (“Heat”) (NASDAQ: HTBX) , a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of cancer immunotherapies, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for HS-410 (vesigenurtacel-L) for the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).  HS-410 is Heat's NMIBC product candidate and is based on its breakthrough Immune Pan Antigen Cytotoxic Therapy (" ImPACT ") platform that is designed to generate killer T cells to attack cancers. HS-410 is currently being evaluated in a randomized Phase 2 trial in combination with BCG and as monotherapy for the treatment of NMIBC.  


“We are very pleased that FDA has granted this important designation for HS-410,” said Melissa Price, Ph.D., Heat’s Vice President of Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs. “T he decision underscores the unmet need for bladder ca ncer treatments and serves as an additional validation for our clinical program. Currently there are limited therapeutic treatment options available for this patient population, with no new treatments approved in this setting in over 30 years.


About FDA Fast Track Designation

The FDA established the Fast Track Drug Development Program under the FDA Modernization Act of 1997. The program is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of therapies intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. The advantages of Fast Track designation include actions to expedite development, including opportunities for frequent interactions with the FDA review team to discuss all aspects of development to support approval and eligibility for priority review depending on clinical data at the time of Biologics License Application (BLA) submission.


About Bladder Cancer and HS-410

According to the American Cancer Society, bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the US with approximately 75,000 new cases in 2014 and 16,000 deaths.  About 75% of the newly diagnosed patients have NMIBC. A key issue for bladder cancer is the high rate of recurrence, for which limited treatment options are available beyond complete bladder removal.  Heat Biologics is examining candidate HS-410 in conjunction with standard treatment to stimulate the immune system and eliminate remaining cancer cells to prevent recurrence. The Company completed enrollment in a Phase 1 study and is expected to release interim data on 10 patients in the first half of 2015. A Phase 2 clinical trial is ongoing with a primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival. Heat is expected to complete enrollment in the Phase 2 study in the third quarter of 2015, which would make topline data available in the second half of 2016.








About Heat Biologics, Inc. 

Heat Biologics, Inc. ( www.heatbio.com ) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing its novel, “off-the-shelf”  ImPACT   therapeutic vaccines to combat a wide range of cancers.  Our  ImPACT  Therapy is designed to deliver live, genetically-modified, irradiated human cells which are reprogrammed to "pump out" a broad spectrum of cancer-associated antigens together with a potent immune adjuvant called "gp96" to educate and activate a cancer patient's immune system to recognize and kill cancerous cells.  Heat is conducting a Phase 2 trial of its viagenpumatucel-L (HS-110) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer as well as a Phase 2 trial with its vesigenurtacel-L (HS-410) in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.


Forward Looking Statements  

This press release includes forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events.  In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "should," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions.  These statements are based upon current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and include statements regarding the potential for impact of Heat’s  ImPACT  Therapy, the effect of the FAST Track designation on the development of HS-410, the expected timing of the data release for the Phase 1 study and Phase 2 study and the timing of enrollment completion for the Phase 2 study of data.  These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict, including the ability for Heat's ImPACT Therapy to perform as designed, the ability to timely enroll patients and the other factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and our other filings with the SEC.  The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release based on new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.


Heat Biologics, Inc. Contact Information:

Investor Relations and Media Inquiries:

Jeff Wolf

Michael Wood

Chief Executive Officer

LifeSci Advisors LLC 

(919) 240-7133

(646) 597-6983

investorrelations@heatbio.com

mwood@lifesciadvisors.com