Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
File Number 333-141931
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NO. 1
Prospectus Supplement dated May 9, 2007
to Prospectus declared
effective on April 23, 2007
(Registration No. 333-141931)
AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC.
This Prospectus Supplement No. 1 supplements our Prospectus dated April 24, 2007.
The shares that are the subject of the Prospectus have been registered to permit their resale to the public by the selling stockholders named in the Prospectus. We are not selling any shares of common stock in this offering and therefore will not receive any proceeds from this offering. You should read this Prospectus Supplement No. 1 together with the Prospectus.
This Prospectus Supplement No. 1 includes the attached Current Report on Form 8-K of Auriga Laboratories, Inc. filed on May 9, 2007 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Our common stock is traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the trading symbol “ARGA”.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is May 9, 2007.
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 4, 2007
AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | |
Delaware | | 000-26013 | | 84-1334687 |
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
2029 Century Park East, Suite 1130 Los Angeles, California
| | 90067 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:(310) 461-3600
|
Not Applicable
|
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.) |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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SECTION 1—REGISTRANT’S BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
Item 1.01. | | Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
The disclosure responsive to this Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference to Item 5.02 below.
SECTION 5—CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Item 5.02. | | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
(b) Resignation of Director.
Effective as of May 4, 2007, Brian P. Alleman resigned from the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”). To the knowledge of the Board and the executive officers of the Company, Mr. Alleman did not resign because of a material disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.
(d) Appointment of Director.
Effective as of May 8, 2007, upon recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board, the Company extended, and Elliot M. Maza accepted, an offer to become a member of the Board. The appointment of Mr. Maza to the Board was taken by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors of the Board then in office pursuant to Article V, Section 4 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Following the effectiveness of Mr. Maza’s appointment to the Board, the Board will consist of five members.
Mr. Maza will serve as Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board and will also serve on each of the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board. As compensation for his service as a director, Mr. Maza will be paid $2,500 per month and reimbursed for his expenses for attending meetings of the Board and Committees of the Board, both in accordance with the Company’s established practices.
Mr. Maza has entered into the Company’s standard indemnification agreement for directors and officers of the Company, which provides, among other things, that the Company will indemnify Mr. Maza, under the circumstances set forth therein, for defense expenses, damages, judgments, fines and settlements incurred by him in connection with actions or proceedings to which he may be a party as a result of his position as a director of the Company, and otherwise to the full extent permitted under the Company’s bylaws and state law.
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As additional consideration for his appointment to the Board, on May 4, 2007, the Board approved the issuance to Mr. Maza of a nonstatutory stock option to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $1.37, the closing price of the common stock of the Company on the OTC Bulletin Board on May 4, 2007, which is the date on which the option was granted to Mr. Maza by the Board (the “Option”). The Option vests as follows: (a) twenty-five percent of the Option is exercisable on May 8, 2007; and (b) subject to Mr. Maza’s continued service on the Board, 1/24th of the total number of shares of common stock subject to the Option will vest each month thereafter.
The foregoing descriptions of the offer letter to Mr. Maza, the indemnification agreement and the Option contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of each such document filed herewith.
(e) Entry Into Employment Agreement.
On May 9, 2007, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Agreement”) with its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Philip S. Pesin. On May 9, 2007, the Agreement became effective and superseded Mr. Pesin’s current employment agreement. The term of the Agreement is two years, expiring on May 9, 2009. The Company has the option to extend the Agreement for an additional two-year period prior to the expiration of the initial term.
Under the Agreement, Mr. Pesin’s base salary is set at $425,000 annually, but is to be reviewed annually in accordance with the Company’s executive compensation policies. In addition, Mr. Pesin is entitled to an annual bonus, payable quarterly, based on increases in the Company’s market capitalization as follows: for every $1,000,000 increase in the Company’s market capitalization, initially measured as of May 9, 2007, Mr. Pesin will be entitled to a $10,000 bonus.
The Company may terminate Mr. Pesin’s employment at any time with or without cause. If Mr. Pesin is terminated without cause or because of death or “disability” (as that term is defined in the agreement), he will be entitled to a lump-sum severance payment equal to his base salary for a period of twenty-four months following his termination, plus continued health benefits during such period. In addition, if the Company terminates Mr. Pesin without cause, then all outstanding options and warrants held by him will vest immediately. Mr. Pesin receives no benefits if he is terminated for cause.
If Mr. Pesin resigns for “good cause” (as that term is defined in the agreement) or resigns following the Company’s change in control, then he will be entitled to a lump-sum severance payment equal to his base salary for a period of twenty-four months following his termination, plus continued health benefits during such period. In addition, in such event, all outstanding options and warrants held by Mr. Pesin will vest immediately.
Under the Agreement, Mr. Pesin is also entitled to earn long-term incentive awards and to participate in all other benefits plans and perquisites in which the Company’s other executives and employees are eligible to participate, at the discretion of the Board. Mr. Pesin is also entitled to five weeks paid vacation per year and to reimbursement of certain expenses.
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The Agreement also provides for the grant to Mr. Pesin of a nonstatutory stock option to purchase 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an exercise price of $1.57, which is the closing price of the common stock of the Company on the OTC Bulletin Board on May 9, 2007. The option vests as follows: (i) twenty-five percent of the option is exercisable on May 9, 2008; and (ii) subject to Mr. Pesin’s continued service as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, 1/24th of the total number of shares of common stock subject to the option will vest each month thereafter.
The foregoing descriptions of the Agreement and Mr. Pesin’s option contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of each such document filed herewith.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
In connection with Mr. Alleman’s resignation from the Board, Trevor K. Pokorney, an existing member of our Board and member of each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, was named Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Board. In addition, Steve C. Glover, an existing member of our Board and member of each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, was named Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed herewith:
| | |
Exhibit | | |
Number | | Document |
10.1 | | Auriga Laboratories, Inc. Offer Letter to Elliot M. Maza dated May 4, 2007 (accepted by Mr. Maza onMay 8, 2007). |
10.2 | | Indemnification Agreement entered into between Auriga Laboratories, Inc. and Elliot M. Maza datedMay 8, 2007. |
10.3 | | Auriga Laboratories, Inc. Nonstatutory Stock Option granted to Elliot M. Maza on May 4, 2007. |
10.4 | | Executive Employment Agreement entered into between Auriga Laboratories, Inc. and Philip S. Pesin dated May 9, 2007. |
10.5 | | Auriga Laboratories, Inc. Nonstatutory Stock Option granted to Philip S. Pesin on May 9, 2007. |
99.1 | | Press Release of Auriga Laboratories, Inc. dated May 9, 2007. |
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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.
Auriga Laboratories, Inc.
Date: May 9, 2007
By:/s/ Charles R. Bearchell
Charles R. Bearchell
Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| | |
Exhibit | | |
Number | | Document |
10.1 | | Auriga Laboratories, Inc. Offer Letter to Elliot M. Maza dated May 4, 2007 (accepted by Mr. Maza onMay 8, 2007). |
10.2 | | Indemnification Agreement entered into between Auriga Laboratories, Inc. and Elliot M. Maza datedMay 8, 2007. |
10.3 | | Auriga Laboratories, Inc. Nonstatutory Stock Option granted to Elliot M. Maza on May 4, 2007. |
10.4 | | Executive Employment Agreement entered into between Auriga Laboratories, Inc. and Philip S. Pesin dated May 9, 2007. |
10.5 | | Auriga Laboratories, Inc. Nonstatutory Stock Option granted to Philip S. Pesin on May 9, 2007. |
99.1 | | Press Release of Auriga Laboratories, Inc. dated May 9, 2007. |
Exhibit 10.1
| | |
| | Auriga Laboratories, Inc. |
| | 2029 Century Park East, Suite 1130 |
| | Los Angeles, CA 90067 |
May 4, 2007
Mr. Elliot Maza
7 West 18th St. 9th Fl
New York, NY 10011
Dear Mr. Maza:
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you (“You” or “Director”) to the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (“Auriga” or the “Company”) effective May 8, 2007. This letter agreement contains the terms and conditions of your directorship.
1. Term.
(a) This Agreement shall continue for a period of one (1) year from the Effective Date and shall continue thereafter for as long as Director is elected to the Board of Directors of Company.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing and provided that Director has not resigned, Company agrees to use its best efforts to re-elect Director to the Board.
2. Position and Responsibilities.
(a) Position. Company hereby retains Director to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and as a member and chairman of the Board’s Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. Director shall perform such duties and responsibilities as are normally related to such positions in accordance with Company’s bylaws, the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees’ charters and applicable law, including those services described onExhibit A (the “Services”), and Director hereby agrees to use his best efforts to provide the Services. Director shall not allow any other person or entity to perform any of the Services for or instead of Director. Director shall comply with the statutes, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental or quasi-governmental authority, which are applicable to the performance of the Services, and Company’s rules, regulations, and practices as they may from time-to-time be adopted or modified.
(b) Other Activities. Director may be employed by another company, may serve on other Boards of Directors or Advisory Boards, and may engage in any other business activity (whether or not pursued for pecuniary advantage), as long as such outside activities do not violate Director’s obligations under this Agreement or Director’s fiduciary obligations to the shareholders. Director represents that, to the best of his knowledge, Director has no outstanding agreement or obligation that is in conflict with any of the provisions of this Agreement, and Director agrees to use his best efforts to avoid or minimize any such conflict and agrees not to enter into any agreement or obligation that could create such a conflict, without the approval of the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the Board of Directors. If, at any time, Director is required to make any disclosure or take any action that may conflict with any of the provisions of this Agreement, Director will promptly notify the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of such obligation, prior to making such disclosure or taking such action.
(c) No Conflict. Director will not engage in any activity that creates an actual conflict of interest with Company, regardless of whether such activity is prohibited by Company’s conflict of interest guidelines or this Agreement, and Director agrees to notify the Board of Directors before engaging in any activity that creates a potential conflict of interest with Company. Specifically, Director shall not engage in any activity that is in direct competition with the Company or serve in any capacity (including, but not limited to, as an employee, consultant, advisor or director) in any company or entity that competes directly with the Company, as reasonably determined by a majority of the Board.
3. Compensation and Benefits.
(a) Director’s Fee. In consideration of the services to be rendered under this Agreement, Company shall pay Director a fee at the rate of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500) per month, which shall be paid in accordance with Company’s regularly established practices regarding the payment of Directors’ fees.
(b) Equity. During the term of this Agreement, You may be granted equity rights, as determined by Company’s Compensation Committee or the Board, in its sole discretion.
In addition, subject to approval of the Company’s Compensation Committee and Board, you shall be granted, an option to purchase up to One Hundred Fifty Thousand (150,000) shares of the Company’s common stock. The exercise price for this option shall be set at the closing price of the Company’s stock on the OTCBB on the date of the grant. Twenty Five Percent (25%) of this option shall vest on the effective date of May 8, 2007, with the remaining option shares vesting 1/24th per month thereafter.
(c) Expenses. The Company shall reimburse Director for all reasonable business expenses incurred in the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with Company’s expense reimbursement guidelines.
(d) Indemnification. Company will indemnify and defend Director against any liability incurred in the performance of the Services to the fullest extent authorized in Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, bylaws, as amended, and applicable law, as described in the indemnification agreement attached hereto asExhibit B. Company is in the process of purchasing Director’s and Officer’s liability insurance, and Director shall be entitled to the protection of any insurance policies the Company maintains for the benefit of its Directors and Officers against all costs, charges and expenses in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which he may be made a party by reason of his affiliation with Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
(e) Records. Director shall have reasonable access to books and records of Company, as necessary to enable Director to fulfill his obligations as a Director of Company.
4. Termination.
(a) Right to Terminate. At any time, Director may be removed as a Director as provided in Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, bylaws, as amended, and applicable law. Director may resign his directorship as provided in Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, bylaws, as amended, and in accordance with applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in or arising from this Agreement or any statements, policies, or practices of Company, neither Director nor Company shall be required to provide any advance notice or any reason or cause for termination of Director, except as provided in Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, Company’s bylaws, as amended, and applicable law.
(b) Effect of Termination as Director. Upon a termination of Director’s status as a Director, this Agreement will terminate; Company shall pay to Director all compensation and benefits to which Director is entitled up through the date of termination. Thereafter, all of Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall cease.
5. Nondisclosure Obligations. Director shall maintain in confidence and shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose or use, either during or after the term of this Agreement, any Proprietary Information (as defined below), confidential information, or trade secrets belonging to Company, whether or not it is in written or permanent form, except to the extent necessary to perform the Services, as required by a lawful government order or subpoena, or as authorized in writing by Company. These nondisclosure obligations also apply to Proprietary Information belonging to customers and suppliers of Company, and other third parties, learned by Director as a result of performing the Services. “Proprietary Information” means all information pertaining in any manner to the business of Company, unless (i) the information is or becomes publicly known through lawful means; (ii) the information was part of Director’s general knowledge prior to his relationship with Company; or (iii) the information is disclosed to Director without restriction by a third party who rightfully possesses the information and did not learn of it from Company.
6. This letter, and the attachments hereto, set forth the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding the terms of your directorship with the Company. Any modification to this agreement shall be in writing, signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company or a member of the Board. This agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware.
Welcome to Auriga Laboratories, Inc.!
Sincerely,
| | |
/s/ Philip S. Pesin Philip S. Pesin | | |
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer | | |
| | | | |
Accepted by: | | /s/ Elliot Maza | | Date: May 8, 2007 |
| | | | |
| | Elliot Maza | | |
| | 7 West 18th St. 9th Fl | | |
| | New York, NY 10011 | | |
EXHIBIT A
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
Responsibilities as Director. Director shall have all responsibilities of a Director of the Company imposed by Delaware or applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws, as amended, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Company. These responsibilities shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
| 1. | | Attendance.Use best efforts to attend scheduled meetings of Company’s Board of Directors |
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| 2. | | Act as a Fiduciary.Represent the shareholders and the interests of Company as a fiduciary; |
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| 3. | | Participation.Participate as a full voting member of Company’s Board of Directors in setting overall objectives, approving plans and programs of operation, formulating general policies, offering advice and counsel, serving on Board |
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| 4. | | Committee Duties. Participate as a member of the Company’s Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees (the “Committees”). Use best efforts to attend all scheduled meetings of the Committees and adherence to the duties and responsibilities as listed in the Committee’s charters, policies or elsewhere. |
EXHIBIT B
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.2
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 8, 2007 between Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“the Company”), and Elliot Maza, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, members or agents (collectively the “Indemnitee”).
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, Indemnitee performs a valuable service for the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has adopted Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) providing for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company to the maximum extent authorized by law (“Law”); and
WHEREAS, the Bylaws and the Law, by their nonexclusive nature, permit contracts between the Company and the officers or directors of the Company with respect to indemnification of such officers or directors; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the authorization as provided by the Law, the Company may purchase and maintain a policy or policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (“D & O Insurance”), covering certain liabilities which may be incurred by its officers or directors in the performance of their obligations to the Company;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee’s service as an officer or director after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Indemnity of Indemnitee. The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent authorized or permitted by the provisions of the Law, as such may be amended from time to time, and the Company’s Bylaws, as such may be amended. In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:
(a) Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section l(a) if, by reason of his Corporate Status (as hereinafter defined), he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(a), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him, or on his behalf, in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(b) if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(b), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him, or on his behalf, in connection with such Proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; provided, however, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall determine that such indemnification may be made.
(c) Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, he shall be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
2. Additional Indemnity. In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in Sections 6 and 7 hereof) to be unlawful under Delaware law.
3.Contribution in the Event of Joint Liability.
(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof is available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such action, suit or proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
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(b) Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding subparagraph, if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such action, suit or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which the Law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.
(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
5. Advancement of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 5 shall be unsecured and interest free. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligation of the Company to advance Expenses pursuant to this Section 5 shall be subject to the condition that, if, when and to the extent that the Company determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law,
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the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed, within thirty (30) days of such determination, by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, any determination made by the Company that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advance of Expenses until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (and as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed).
6. Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the Law and public policy of the State of Delaware. Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:
(a) To obtain indemnification (including, but not limited to, the advancement of Expenses and contribution by the Company) under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 6(a) hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following three methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (1) by a majority vote of the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum, (2) by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (3) by the stockholders.
(c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 6(c). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee requests that such selection be made by the Board of Directors). Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 13 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification
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pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6(b) hereof. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6(c), regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed.
(d) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(e) Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise (as hereinafter defined) in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(e) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
(f) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 6 to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(g) shall not apply if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the
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Company of the request for such determination, the Board of Directors or the Disinterested Directors, if appropriate, resolve to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat.
(g) Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel, member of the Board of Directors or stockholder of the Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination regarding the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(h) The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
7.Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement within 90 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor or (v) payment of indemnification is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Delaware, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of his entitlement to such indemnification. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 7(a). The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication.
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(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 shall be conducted in all respects as ade novotrial on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of the adverse determination under Section 6(b).
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7, absent a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
(d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7, seeks a judicial adjudication of his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, or to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, the Company shall pay on his behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types described in the definition of Expenses in Section 13 of this Agreement) actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance recovery.
(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
8.Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the certificate of incorporation of the Company, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of directors or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in the Law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
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(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies.
(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
(d) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
9. Exception to Right of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement with respect to any Proceeding brought by Indemnitee, or any claim therein, unless (a) the bringing of such Proceeding or making of such claim shall have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or (b) such Proceeding is being brought by Indemnitee to assert, interpret or enforce his rights under this Agreement.
10. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer or director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Section 7 hereof) by reason of his Corporate Status, whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement.
11. Security. To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.
12.Enforcement.
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as an officer or director of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as an officer or director of the Company.
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(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13.Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of the Company.
(b) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(c) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that Indemnitee is or was serving at the express written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.
(d) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding.
(e) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
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(f) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an officer or director of the Company, by reason of any action taken by him or of any inaction on his part while acting as an officer or director of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other Enterprise; in each case whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement.
14. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement is intended to confer upon Indemnitee indemnification rights to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws. In the event any provision hereof conflicts with any applicable law, such provision shall be deemed modified, consistent with the aforementioned intent, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict.
15. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, termination or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
16. Notice By Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.
17. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
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(a) If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth below Indemnitee signature hereto.
If to the Company, to:
Auriga Laboratories, Inc.
2029 Century Park East, Suite 1130
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
18. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
19. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
20. Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware without application of the conflict of laws principles thereof.
21. Gender. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.
| | | | |
| | AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. |
| | | | |
| | By: | | /s/ Philip S. Pesin |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | Name: | | Philip S. Pesin |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | Title: | | Chairman & CEO |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | INDEMNITEE |
| | | | |
| | /s/ Elliot M. Maza |
| | |
| | | | |
| | Name: | | Elliot Maza |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Address: | | | | |
| | Mr. Elliot Maza |
| | 7 West 18th St. 9th Fl |
| | New York, NY 10011 |
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Exhibit 10.3
AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC.
2007 Stock Option Plan
NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
Grantee: Elliot Maza
You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock (“Common Stock”) of Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) as follows:
| | |
Board Approval Date: | | 5/4/2007 |
| | |
Date of Grant: | | 5/4/2007 |
| | |
Vesting Commencement Date: | | 5/8/2007 |
| | |
Exercise Price Per Share: | | $1.37 |
| | |
Total Number of Shares Granted: | | 150,000 |
| | |
Type of Option: | | NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION |
| | |
Term/Expiration Date: | | 5/8/2017 |
| | |
Vesting Schedule: | | The shares subject to the Option shall vest as follows: Twenty-five Percent (25%) of the shares shall vest on the Vesting Commencement Date; so long as you remain in Continuous Service with the Company, 1/24th of the total remaining number of shares subject to the Option shall vest each month thereafter. |
| | |
Termination Period: | | This Option may be exercised for three months after termination of employment or consulting relationship except as set out in Sections 6 and 7 of the Stock Option Agreement (but in no event later than the Expiration Date). |
By your signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company agree that this option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the 2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN and the Stock Option Agreement, both of which are attached and made a part of this document.
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GRANTEE | | AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. |
| | | | |
/s/ Elliot Maza | | By: | | ./s/ Philip S. Pesin |
| | | | |
Signature | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Name: | | Philip S. Pesin |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Elliot Maza | | | | |
| | Title: | | Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | |
AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC.
2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
1. Grant of Option. Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to GRANTEE (“Optionee”) an option (the “Option”) to purchase a total number of shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the “Exercise Price”) subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Auriga Laboratories, Inc. 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) adopted by the Company, which is incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option.
If designated an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
2. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its Term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and with the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 of the Plan as follows:
(a)Right to Exercise.
(i) This Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time after the Date of Grant, as to Shares which have not yet vested under the vesting schedule indicated on the Notice of Stock Option Grant; provided, however, that Optionee shall execute as a condition to such exercise of this Option, the Early Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement attached hereto asExhibit A (the “Early Exercise Agreement”). If Optionee chooses to exercise this Option solely as to Shares which have vested under the vesting schedule indicated on the Notice of Stock Option Grant, Optionee shall complete and execute the form of Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement attached hereto asExhibit B(the “Exercise Agreement”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may in its discretion prescribe or accept a different form of notice of exercise and/or stock purchase agreement if such forms are otherwise consistent with this Agreement, the Plan and then-applicable law.
(ii) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.
(iii) In the event of Optionee’s death, disability or other termination of employment or consulting relationship, the exercisability of the Option is governed by Sections 5, 6 and 7 below, subject to the limitation contained in Section 2(a)(iv) below.
(iv) In no event may this Option be exercised after the Expiration Date of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.
(b) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by execution and delivery of the Early Exercise Agreement or the Exercise Agreement, whichever is applicable, or of any other written notice approved for such purpose by the Company which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to the holder’s investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such written notice shall be signed by Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. Subject to Section 2(c) below, the written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price.
No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of applicable law, including the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.
(c)Net Issue Exercise.
(i) In lieu of exercising this Option in the manner provided above in Section 2(b), the Optionee may elect to receive shares equal to the value of this Option (or the portion thereof being canceled) by surrender of this Option at the principal office of the Company together with the Early Exercise Agreement or Exercise Agreement, as the case may be, duly executed by such Optionee, in which event the Company shall issue to holder a number of shares of Common Stock computed using the following formula:
X = Y (A — B)
A
| | | | |
Where | | X = | | The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Optionee. |
| | | | |
| | Y = | | The number of shares of Common Stock purchasable under this Option (at the date of such calculation). |
| | | | |
| | A = | | The Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock (at the date of such calculation). |
| | | | |
| | B = | | The Purchase Price (as adjusted to the date of such calculation). |
3. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by cash, check, or any other form approved by the Company), or any other method permitted under the Plan; provided however that the Administrator may refuse to allow Optionee to tender a particular form of payment (other than cash or check) if, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, acceptance of such form of consideration would not be in the best interests of the Company at such time.
4. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised until such time as the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, or if the issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of this Option, the Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.
5. Termination of Relationship. In the event of termination of Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, Optionee may, to the extent otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the “Termination Date”), exercise this Option during the Termination Period set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option at such Termination Date, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option within the Termination Period, the Option shall terminate.
6.Disability of Optionee.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5 above, in the event of termination of Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of his or her total and permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within twelve months from the Termination Date (but in no event later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and in Section 9 below), exercise this Option to the extent he or she was entitled to exercise it at such Termination Date. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option on the Termination Date, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified in this Section 6(a), the Option shall terminate.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5 above, in the event of termination of Optionee’s consulting relationship or Continuous Status as an Employee as a result of a disability not constituting a total and permanent disability (as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within six months from the Termination Date (but in no event later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and in Section 9 below), exercise the Option to the extent Optionee was entitled to exercise
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it as of such Termination Date; provided, however, that if this is an Incentive Stock Option and Optionee fails to exercise this Incentive Stock Option within three months from the Termination Date, this Option will cease to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) and Optionee will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received ordinary income at the time of such exercise in an amount generally measured by the difference between the Exercise Price for the Shares and the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the Termination Date, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified in this Section 6(b), the Option shall terminate.
7. Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of Optionee (a) during the Term of this Option and while an Employee or Consultant of the Company and having been in Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant since the date of grant of the Option, or (b) within 30 days after Optionee’s Termination Date, the Option may be exercised at any time within six months following the date of death (but in no event later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and in Section 9 below), by Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that had accrued at the Termination Date.
8. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by him or her. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of Optionee.
9. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the Term set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6 of the Plan.
10. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date of this Option of certain of the federal and state tax consequences of exercise of this Option and disposition of the Shares under the laws in effect as of the Date of Grant. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
(a) Exercise of Incentive Stock Option. If this Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option, there will be no regular federal or state income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes and may subject Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year of exercise.
(b) Exercise of Nonstatutory Stock Option. If this Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, there may be a regular federal income tax liability and a state income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option. Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is a current or former employee, the Company may be required to withhold from Optionee’s compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise.
(c) Disposition of Shares. In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, if Shares are held for more than one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income tax purposes. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for more than one year after exercise and are disposed of at least two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will also be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income tax purposes. In either case, the long-term capital gain will be taxed for federal income tax and alternative minimum tax purposes at a maximum rate of 20% if the Shares are held more than one year after exercise. If Shares purchased under an Incentive Stock Option are disposed of within one year after exercise or within two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of the difference between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (ii) the sale price of the Shares.
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(d) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of Incentive Stock Option Shares. If the Option granted to Optionee herein is an Incentive Stock Option, and if Optionee sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the Incentive Stock Option on or before the later of (i) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (ii) the date one year after the date of exercise, Optionee shall immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee acknowledges and agrees that he or she may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized by Optionee from the early disposition by payment in cash or out of the current earnings paid to Optionee.
11.Withholding Tax Obligations.
(a) General Withholding Obligations. As a condition to the exercise of Option granted hereunder, Optionee shall make such arrangements as the Administrator may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the exercise, receipt or vesting of the Option. The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied. Optionee understands that, upon exercising a Nonstatutory Stock Option, he or she will recognize income for tax purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the then Fair Market Value of the Shares over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is an employee, the Company will be required to withhold from Optionee’s compensation, or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income. Additionally, Optionee may at some point be required to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to the disqualifying disposition of an Incentive Stock Option. Optionee shall satisfy his or her tax withholding obligation arising upon the exercise of this Option by one or some combination of the following methods: (i) by cash or check payment, (ii) out of Optionee’s current compensation, (iii) if permitted by the Administrator, in its discretion, by surrendering to the Company Shares which (A) in the case of Shares previously acquired from the Company, have been owned by Optionee for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value determined as of the applicable Tax Date (as defined in Section 11(c) below) on the date of surrender equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (iv) by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option, or the Shares to be issued in connection with the Stock Purchase Right, if any, that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value determined as of the applicable Tax Date equal to the amount required to be withheld.
(b) Stock Withholding to Satisfy Withholding Tax Obligations. In the event the Administrator allows Optionee to satisfy his or her tax withholding obligations as provided in Section 11(a)(iii) or (iv) above, such satisfaction must comply with the requirements of this Section (11)(b) and all applicable laws. All elections by Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions:
(i) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax Date (as defined in Section 11(c) below);
(ii) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the particular Shares of the Option as to which the election is made; and
(iii) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of the Administrator.
In the event the election to have Shares withheld is made by Optionee and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no election is filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, Optionee shall receive the full number of Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised but Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to the Company the proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.
(c) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 11, the Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined under the Applicable Laws (the “Tax Date”).
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12. Market Standoff Agreement. In connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s securities and upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing such underwritten offering of the Company’s securities, Optionee agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company (other than those included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time (not to exceed 180 days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters and to execute an agreement reflecting the foregoing as may be requested by the underwriters at the time of the Company’s initial public offering.
[Signature Page Follows]
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This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one document.
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| | AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. |
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| | By: | | /s/ Philip S. Pesin |
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| | Name: | | Philip S. Pesin |
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| | Title: | | Chief Executive Officer |
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OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY’S STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE’S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option.
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Dated: 5/4/2007 | | /s/ Elliot Maza |
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| | Signature- Elliot Maza |
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EXHIBIT A
AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC.
2007 Stock Option Plan
EARLY EXERCISE NOTICE AND RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of , by and between Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and (“Purchaser”). To the extent any capitalized terms used in this Agreement are not defined, they shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the 2007 Stock Option Plan.
1. Exercise of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Purchaser hereby elects to exercise his or her option to purchase shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of the Company under and pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement dated (the “Option Agreement”). Of these Shares, Purchaser has elected to purchase of those Shares which have become vested as of the date hereof under the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the “Vested Shares”) and Shares which have not yet vested under such Vesting Schedule (the “Unvested Shares”). The purchase price for the Shares shall be $ per Share for a total purchase price of $ , which amount shall be paid for by a check in the amount of $ . The term “Shares” refers to the purchased Shares and all securities received in replacement of the Shares or as stock dividends or splits, all securities received in replacement of the Shares in a recapitalization, merger, reorganization, exchange or the like, and all new, substituted or additional securities or other properties to which Purchaser is entitled by reason of Purchaser’s ownership of the Shares.
2. Time and Place of Exercise. The purchase and sale of the Shares under this Agreement shall occur at the principal office of the Company simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(b) of the Option Agreement. On such date, the Company will deliver to Purchaser a certificate representing the Shares to be purchased by Purchaser (which shall be issued in Purchaser’s name) against payment of the purchase price therefor by Purchaser by (a) check made payable to the Company, (b) cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to Purchaser, (c) delivery of shares of the Common Stock of the Company in accordance with Section 3 of the Option Agreement, or (d) a combination of the foregoing.
3. Limitations on Transfer. In addition to any other limitation on transfer created by applicable securities laws, Purchaser shall not assign, encumber or dispose of any interest in the Shares while the Shares are subject to the Company’s Repurchase Option (as defined below). After any Shares have been released from such Repurchase Option, Purchaser shall not assign, encumber or dispose of any interest in such Shares except in compliance with the provisions below and applicable securities laws.
(a)Repurchase Option.
(i) In the event of the voluntary or involuntary termination of Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship with the Company for any reason (including death or disability), with or without cause, the Company shall upon the date of such termination (the “Termination Date”) have an irrevocable, exclusive option (the “Repurchase Option”) for a period of 90 days from such date to repurchase all or any portion of the Shares held by Purchaser as of the Termination Date which have not yet been released from the Company’s Repurchase Option at the original purchase price per Share specified in Section 1 (adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends and the like).
(ii) Unless the Company notifies Purchaser within 90 days from the date of termination of Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship that it does not intend to exercise its Repurchase Option with respect to some or all of the Shares, the Repurchase Option shall be deemed automatically exercised by the Company as of the 90th day following such termination, provided that the Company may notify Purchaser that it is exercising its Repurchase Option as of a date prior to such 90th day. Unless Purchaser is otherwise notified by the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence that the Company does not intend to exercise its Repurchase
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Option as to some or all of the Shares to which it applies at the time of termination, execution of this Agreement by Purchaser constitutes written notice to Purchaser of the Company’s intention to exercise its Repurchase Option with respect to all Shares to which such Repurchase Option applies. The Company, at its choice, may satisfy its payment obligation to Purchaser with respect to exercise of the Repurchase Option by either (A) delivering a check to Purchaser in the amount of the purchase price for the Shares being repurchased, or (B) in the event Purchaser is indebted to the Company, canceling an amount of such indebtedness equal to the purchase price for the Shares being repurchased, or (C) by a combination of (A) and (B) so that the combined payment and cancellation of indebtedness equals such purchase price. In the event of any deemed automatic exercise of the Repurchase Option pursuant to this Section 3(a)(ii) in which Purchaser is indebted to the Company, such indebtedness equal to the purchase price of the Shares being repurchased shall be deemed automatically canceled as of the 90th day following termination of Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship unless the Company otherwise satisfies its payment obligations. As a result of any repurchase of Shares pursuant to this Section 3(a), the Company shall become the legal and beneficial owner of the Shares being repurchased and shall have all rights and interest therein or related thereto, and the Company shall have the right to transfer to its own name the number of Shares being repurchased by the Company, without further action by Purchaser.
(iii) One hundred percent (100%) of the Shares shall initially be subject to the Repurchase Option. The Unvested Shares shall be released from the Repurchase Option in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant until all Shares are released from the Repurchase Option. Fractional shares shall be rounded to the nearest whole share.
(b) Right of First Refusal. Before any Shares held by Purchaser or any transferee of Purchaser (either being sometimes referred to herein as the “Holder”) may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or operation of law), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 3(b) (the “Right of First Refusal”).
(i) Notice of Proposed Transfer. The Holder of the Shares shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (i) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise transfer such Shares; (ii) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (iii) the number of Shares to be transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (iv) the terms and conditions of each proposed sale or transfer. The Holder shall offer the Shares at the same price (the “Offered Price”) and upon the same terms (or terms as similar as reasonably possible) to the Company or its assignee(s).
(ii) Exercise of Right of First Refusal. At any time within 30 days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may, by giving written notice to the Holder, elect to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees, at the purchase price determined in accordance with subsection (iii) below.
(iii) Purchase Price. The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares purchased by the Company or its assignee(s) under this Section 3(b) shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.
(iv) Payment. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), by net exercise pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Option Agreement, or by any combination thereof within 30 days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner and at the times set forth in the Notice.
(v) Holder’s Right to Transfer. If all of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be transferred to a given Proposed Transferee are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section 3(b), then the Holder may sell or otherwise transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other transfer is consummated within 60 days after the date of the Notice and provided further that any such sale or other transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section 3
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shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such period, or if the Holder proposes to change the price or other terms to make them more favorable to the Proposed Transferee, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise transferred.
(vi) Exception for Certain Family Transfers. Anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3(b) notwithstanding, the transfer of any or all of the Shares during Purchaser’s lifetime or on Purchaser’s death by will or intestacy to Purchaser’s Immediate Family (as defined below) or a trust for the benefit of Purchaser’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section 3(b). “Immediate Family” as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister. In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so transferred subject to the provisions of this Section, and there shall be no further transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.
(c)Involuntary Transfer.
(i) Company’s Right to Purchase upon Involuntary Transfer. In the event, at any time after the date of this Agreement, of any transfer by operation of law or other involuntary transfer (including divorce or death, but excluding, in the event of death, a transfer to Immediate Family as set forth in Section 3(b)(vi) above) of all or a portion of the Shares by the record holder thereof, the Company shall have the right to purchase all of the Shares transferred at the greater of the purchase price paid by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement or the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of transfer. Upon such a transfer, the person acquiring the Shares shall promptly notify the Secretary of the Company of such transfer. The right to purchase such Shares shall be provided to the Company for a period of 30 days following receipt by the Company of written notice by the person acquiring the Shares.
(ii) Price for Involuntary Transfer. With respect to any stock to be transferred pursuant to Section 3(c)(i), the price per Share shall be a price set by the Board of Directors of the Company that will reflect the current value of the stock in terms of present earnings and future prospects of the Company. The Company shall notify Purchaser or his or her executor of the price so determined within 30 days after receipt by it of written notice of the transfer or proposed transfer of Shares. However, if the Purchaser does not agree with the valuation as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Purchaser shall be entitled to have the valuation determined by an independent appraiser to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Purchaser and whose fees shall be borne equally by the Company and the Purchaser.
(d) Assignment. The right of the Company to purchase any part of the Shares may be assigned in whole or in part to any shareholder or shareholders of the Company or other persons or organizations.
(e) Restrictions Binding on Transferees. All transferees of Shares or any interest therein will receive and hold such Shares or interest subject to the provisions of this Agreement, including, insofar as applicable, the Repurchase Option. In the event of any purchase by the Company hereunder where the Shares or interest are held by a transferee, the transferee shall be obligated, if requested by the Company, to transfer the Shares or interest to the Purchaser for consideration equal to the amount to be paid by the Company hereunder. In the event the Repurchase Option is deemed exercised by the Company pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii) hereof, the Company may deem any transferee to have transferred the Shares or interest to Purchaser prior to their purchase by the Company, and payment of the purchase price by the Company to such transferee shall be deemed to satisfy Purchaser’s obligation to pay such transferee for such Shares or interest, and also to satisfy the Company’s obligation to pay Purchaser for such Shares or interest. Any sale or transfer of the Shares shall be void unless the provisions of this Agreement are satisfied.
(f) Termination of Rights. The Right of First Refusal and the Company’s right to repurchase the Shares in the event of an involuntary transfer pursuant to Section 3(c) above shall terminate upon the listing of Common Stock of the Company on a national exchange.
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(g) Market Standoff Agreement. In connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s securities and upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing such underwritten offering of the Company’s securities, Purchaser agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company (other than those included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time (not to exceed 180 days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters and to execute an agreement reflecting the foregoing as may be requested by the underwriters at the time of the Company’s initial public offering.
4. Escrow of Unvested Shares. For purposes of facilitating the enforcement of the provisions of Section 3 above, Purchaser agrees, immediately upon receipt of the certificate(s) for the Shares subject to the Repurchase Option, to deliver such certificate(s), together with an Assignment Separate from Certificate in the form attached to this Agreement asAttachment A executed by Purchaser and by Purchaser’s spouse (if required for transfer), in blank, to the Secretary of the Company, or the Secretary’s designee, to hold such certificate(s) and Assignment Separate from Certificate in escrow and to take all such actions and to effectuate all such transfers and/or releases as are in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Purchaser hereby acknowledges that the Secretary of the Company, or the Secretary’s designee, is so appointed as the escrow holder with the foregoing authorities as a material inducement to make this Agreement and that said appointment is coupled with an interest and is accordingly irrevocable. Purchaser agrees that said escrow holder shall not be liable to any party hereof (or to any other party). The escrow holder may rely upon any letter, notice or other document executed by any signature purported to be genuine and may resign at any time. Purchaser agrees that if the Secretary of the Company, or the Secretary’s designee, resigns as escrow holder for any or no reason, the Board of Directors of the Company shall have the power to appoint a successor to serve as escrow holder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
5. Investment and Taxation Representations. In connection with the purchase of the Shares, Purchaser represents to the Company the following:
(a) Purchaser is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Purchaser is purchasing the Shares for investment for his or her own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act. Purchaser does not have any present intention to transfer the Shares to any other person or entity.
(b) Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Purchaser’s investment intent as expressed herein.
(c) Purchaser understands that the Shares are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares for resale. Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchaser’s control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
(d) Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted any tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
6.Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.
(a) Legends. The certificate or certificates representing the Shares shall bear the following legends (as well as any legends required by applicable state and federal corporate and securities laws):
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(i) THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE OR DISTRIBUTION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
(ii) THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
(b) Stop-Transfer Notices. Purchaser agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
(c) Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
(d) Removal of Legend. When all of the following events have occurred, the Shares then held by Purchaser will no longer be subject to the legend referred to in Section 6(a)(ii): (i) the termination of the Right of First Refusal; (ii) the expiration or termination of the market standoff provisions of Section 3(g) (and of any agreement entered pursuant to Section 3(g)); and (iii) the expiration or exercise in full of the Repurchase Option. After such time, and upon Purchaser’s request, a new certificate or certificates representing the Shares not repurchased shall be issued without the legend referred to in Section 6(a)(ii), and delivered to Purchaser.
7. No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, to terminate Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship, for any reason, with or without cause.
8. Section 83(b) Election. Purchaser understands that Section 83(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), taxes as ordinary income for a Nonstatutory Stock Option and as alternative minimum taxable income for an Incentive Stock Option the difference between the amount paid for the Shares and the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date any restrictions on the Shares lapse. In this context, “restriction” means the right of the Company to buy back the Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Option set forth in Section 3(a) of this Agreement. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may elect to be taxed at the time the Shares are purchased, rather than when and as the Repurchase Option expires, by filing an election under Section 83(b) (an “83(b) Election”) of the Code with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days from the date of purchase. Even if the Fair Market Value of the Shares at the time of the execution of this Agreement equals the amount paid for the Shares, the election must be made to avoid income and alternative minimum tax treatment under Section 83(a) in the future. Purchaser understands that failure to file such an election in a timely manner may result in adverse tax consequences for Purchaser. Purchaser further understands that an additional copy of such election form should be filed with his or her federal income tax return for the calendar year in which the date of this Agreement falls. Purchaser acknowledges that the foregoing is only a summary of the effect of United States federal income taxation with respect to purchase of the Shares hereunder, and does not purport to be complete. Purchaser further acknowledges that the Company has directed Purchaser to seek independent advice regarding the applicable provisions of the Code, the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which Purchaser may reside, and the tax consequences of Purchaser’s death.
Purchaser agrees that he or she will execute and deliver to the Company with this executed Agreement a copy of the Acknowledgment and Statement of Decision Regarding Section 83(b) Election (the “Acknowledgment”) attached hereto asAttachment B. Purchaser further agrees that he or she will execute and submit with the Acknowledgment a copy of the 83(b) Election attached hereto asAttachment C (for tax purposes in connection with the early exercise of an option) if Purchaser has indicated in the Acknowledgment his or her decision to make such an election.
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9. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
(b) Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions between them. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.
(c) Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(d) Construction. This Agreement is the result of negotiations between and has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and their respective counsel, if any; accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of all of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against any one of the parties hereto.
(e) Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by telegram or fax or 48 hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
(g) Successors and Assigns. The rights and benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Purchaser under this Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Company.
(h) Georgia Corporate Securities Law. THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, OR ANY OTHER STATE, AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO THE QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON THE QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
(i) California Corporate Securities Law. THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, OR ANY OTHER STATE, AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO THE QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON THE QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
[Signature Page Follows]
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The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
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| | COMPANY: |
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| | AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. |
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| | By: | | |
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| | Name: | | |
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| | Title: | | |
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Address: | | 2029 Century Park East, Suite 1130 |
| | Los Angeles, CA 90067 |
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| | PURCHASER: |
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| | Signature |
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| | Print Name |
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| | Address |
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| | Address |
A-7
ATTACHMENT A
ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE
FOR VALUE RECEIVED and pursuant to that certain Early Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement between the undersigned (“Purchaser”) and Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) dated , ___(the “Agreement”), Purchaser hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto the Company (___) shares of the Common Stock of the Company, standing in Purchaser’s name on the books of the Company and represented by Certificate No. ___, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint to transfer said stock on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises. THIS ASSIGNMENT MAY ONLY BE USED AS AUTHORIZED BY THE AGREEMENT AND THE ATTACHMENTS THERETO.
Dated:
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| | Signature: |
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| | Signature |
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| | Print Name |
Instruction: Please do not fill in any blanks other than the signature line. The purpose of this assignment is to enable the Company to exercise its Repurchase Option set forth in the Agreement without requiring additional signatures on the part of Purchaser.
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ATTACHMENT B
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND STATEMENT OF DECISION
REGARDING SECTION 83(b) ELECTION
The undersigned (which term includes the undersigned’s spouse), a purchaser of shares of Common Stock of Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) by exercise of an option (the “Option”) granted pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”), hereby states as follows:
1. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan relating to the offering of such shares. The undersigned has carefully reviewed the Plan and the option agreement pursuant to which the Option was granted.
2. The undersigned either [check and complete as applicable]:
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| | (a) | | | | has consulted, and has been fully advised by, the undersigned’s own tax advisor, , whose business address is , regarding the federal, state and local tax consequences of purchasing shares under the Plan, and particularly regarding the advisability of making elections pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and pursuant to the corresponding provisions, if any, of applicable state law; or |
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| | (b) | | | | has knowingly chosen not to consult such a tax advisor. |
3. The undersigned hereby states that the undersigned has decided [check as applicable]:
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| | (a) | | | | to make an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code, and is submitting to the Company, together with the undersigned’s executed Early Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, an executed form entitled “Election Under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;” or |
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| | (b) | | | | not to make an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. |
4. Neither the Company nor any subsidiary or representative of the Company has made any warranty or representation to the undersigned with respect to the tax consequences of the undersigned’s purchase of shares under the Plan or of the making or failure to make an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or the corresponding provisions, if any, of applicable state law.
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ATTACHMENT C
ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b)
OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986
The undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, to include in taxpayer’s gross income or alternative minimum taxable income, as applicable, for the current taxable year, the amount of any income that may be taxable to taxpayer in connection with taxpayer’s receipt of the property described below:
1. The name, address, taxpayer identification number and taxable year of the undersigned are as follows:
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| | IDENTIFICATION NO. OF TAXPAYER: | | | | |
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| | TAXABLE YEAR: | | | | |
| 2. | | The property with respect to which the election is made is described as follows: |
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| | | shares of the Common Stock of Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). |
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| 3. | | The date on which the property was transferred is: |
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| 4. | | The property is subject to the following restrictions: |
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| | | Repurchase option at cost in favor of the Company upon termination of taxpayer’s employment or consulting relationship. |
5. The fair market value at the time of transfer, determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will never lapse, of such property is: $
The amount (if any) paid for such property: $
The undersigned has submitted a copy of this statement to the person for whom the services were performed in connection with the undersigned’s receipt of the above-described property. The transferee of such property is the person performing the services in connection with the transfer of said property.
The undersigned understands that the foregoing election may not be revoked except with the consent of the Commissioner.
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RECEIPT AND CONSENT
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a photocopy of Certificate No. for shares of Common Stock of Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”).
The undersigned further acknowledges that the Secretary of the Company, or his or her designee, is acting as escrow holder pursuant to the Early Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement Purchaser has previously entered into with the Company. As escrow holder, the Secretary of the Company, or his or her designee, holds the original of the aforementioned certificate issued in the undersigned’s name.
EXHIBIT B
AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC.
2007 Stock Option Plan
EXERCISE NOTICE AND RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of , by and between Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and (“Purchaser”). To the extent any capitalized terms used in this Agreement are not defined, they shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the 2007 Stock Option Plan.
1. Exercise of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Purchaser hereby elects to exercise his or her option to purchase shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of the Company under and pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement dated , (the “Option Agreement”). The purchase price for the Shares shall be $ per Share for a total purchase price of $ . The term “Shares” refers to the purchased Shares and all securities received in replacement of the Shares or as stock dividends or splits, all securities received in replacement of the Shares in a recapitalization, merger, reorganization, exchange or the like, and all new, substituted or additional securities or other properties to which Purchaser is entitled by reason of Purchaser’s ownership of the Shares.
2. Time and Place of Exercise. The purchase and sale of the Shares under this Agreement shall occur at the principal office of the Company simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(b) of the Option Agreement. On such date, the Company will deliver to Purchaser a certificate representing the Shares to be purchased by Purchaser (which shall be issued in Purchaser’s name) against payment of the purchase price therefor by Purchaser by (a) check made payable to the Company, (b) cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to Purchaser, (c) delivery of shares of the Common Stock of the Company in accordance with Section 3 of the Option Agreement, or (d) a combination of the foregoing.
3. Limitations on Transfer. In addition to any other limitation on transfer created by applicable securities laws, Purchaser shall not assign, encumber or dispose of any interest in the Shares except in compliance with the provisions below and applicable securities laws.
(a) Right of First Refusal. Before any Shares held by Purchaser or any transferee of Purchaser (either being sometimes referred to herein as the “Holder”) may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or operation of law), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 3(a) (the “Right of First Refusal”).
(i) Notice of Proposed Transfer. The Holder of the Shares shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (i) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise transfer such Shares; (ii) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (iii) the number of Shares to be transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (iv) the terms and conditions of each proposed sale or transfer. The Holder shall offer the Shares at the same price (the “Offered Price”) and upon the same terms (or terms as similar as reasonably possible) to the Company or its assignee(s).
(ii) Exercise of Right of First Refusal. At any time within 30 days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may, by giving written notice to the Holder, elect to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees, at the purchase price determined in accordance with subsection (iii) below.
(iii) Purchase Price. The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares purchased by the Company or its assignee(s) under this Section 3(a) shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.
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(iv) Payment. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), by net exercise pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Option Agreement, or by any combination thereof within 30 days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner and at the times set forth in the Notice.
(v) Holder’s Right to Transfer. If all of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be transferred to a given Proposed Transferee are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section 3(a), then the Holder may sell or otherwise transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other transfer is consummated within 60 days after the date of the Notice and provided further that any such sale or other transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section 3 shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such period, or if the Holder proposes to change the price or other terms to make them more favorable to the Proposed Transferee, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise transferred.
(vi) Exception for Certain Family Transfers. Anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3(a) notwithstanding, the transfer of any or all of the Shares during Purchaser’s lifetime or on Purchaser’s death by will or intestacy to Purchaser’s Immediate Family (as defined below) or a trust for the benefit of Purchaser’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section 3(a). “Immediate Family” as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister. In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so transferred subject to the provisions of this Section, and there shall be no further transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.
(b)Involuntary Transfer.
(i) Company’s Right to Purchase upon Involuntary Transfer. In the event, at any time after the date of this Agreement, of any transfer by operation of law or other involuntary transfer (including divorce or death, but excluding, in the event of death, a transfer to Immediate Family as set forth in Section 3(a)(vi) above) of all or a portion of the Shares by the record holder thereof, the Company shall have the right to purchase all of the Shares transferred at the greater of the purchase price paid by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement or the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of transfer. Upon such a transfer, the person acquiring the Shares shall promptly notify the Secretary of the Company of such transfer. The right to purchase such Shares shall be provided to the Company for a period of 30 days following receipt by the Company of written notice by the person acquiring the Shares.
(ii) Price for Involuntary Transfer. With respect to any stock to be transferred pursuant to Section 3(b)(i), the price per Share shall be a price set by the Board of Directors of the Company that will reflect the current value of the stock in terms of present earnings and future prospects of the Company. The Company shall notify Purchaser or his or her executor of the price so determined within 30 days after receipt by it of written notice of the transfer or proposed transfer of Shares. However, if the Purchaser does not agree with the valuation as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Purchaser shall be entitled to have the valuation determined by an independent appraiser to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Purchaser and whose fees shall be borne equally by the Company and the Purchaser.
(c) Assignment. The right of the Company to purchase any part of the Shares may be assigned in whole or in part to any shareholder or shareholders of the Company or other persons or organizations.
(d) Restrictions Binding on Transferees. All transferees of Shares or any interest therein will receive and hold such Shares or interest subject to the provisions of this Agreement. Any sale or transfer of the Shares shall be void unless the provisions of this Agreement are satisfied.
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(e) Termination of Rights. The Right of First Refusal and the Company’s right to repurchase the Shares in the event of an involuntary transfer pursuant to Section 3(b) above shall terminate upon the listing of Common Stock of the Company on a national exchange.
(f) Market Standoff Agreement. In connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s securities and upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing such underwritten offering of the Company’s securities, Purchaser agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company (other than those included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time (not to exceed 180 days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters and to execute an agreement reflecting the foregoing as may be requested by the underwriters at the time of the Company’s initial public offering.
4. Investment and Taxation Representations. In connection with the purchase of the Shares, Purchaser represents to the Company the following:
(a) Purchaser is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Purchaser is purchasing the Shares for investment for his or her own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.
(b) Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Purchaser’s investment intent as expressed herein.
(c) Purchaser understands that the Shares are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares for resale. Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchaser’s control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
(d) Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted any tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
5.Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.
(a) Legends. The certificate or certificates representing the Shares shall bear the following legends (as well as any legends required by applicable state and federal corporate and securities laws):
(i) THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE OR DISTRIBUTION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
(ii) THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
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(b) Stop-Transfer Notices. Purchaser agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
(c) Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
(d) Removal of Legend. When all of the following events have occurred, the Shares then held by Purchaser will no longer be subject to the legend referred to in Section 5(a)(ii): (i) the termination of the Right of First Refusal; and (ii) the expiration or termination of the market standoff provisions of Section 3(f) (and of any agreement entered pursuant to Section 3(f)). After such time, and upon Purchaser’s request, a new certificate or certificates representing the Shares not repurchased shall be issued without the legend referred to in Section 5(a)(ii), and delivered to Purchaser.
6. No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, to terminate Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship, for any reason, with or without cause.
7.Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
(b) Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions between them. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.
(c) Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(d) Construction. This Agreement is the result of negotiations between and has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and their respective counsel, if any; accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of all of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against any one of the parties hereto.
(e) Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by telegram or fax or 48 hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
(g) Successors and Assigns. The rights and benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Purchaser under this Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Company.
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(h) Georgia Corporate Securities Law. THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, OR ANY OTHER STATE, AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO THE QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON THE QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
(i) California Corporate Securities Law. THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, OR ANY OTHER STATE, AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO THE QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON THE QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
[Signature Page Follows]
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The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
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| | COMPANY: |
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| | AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. |
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| | Title: | | |
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Address: | | 2029 Century Park East, Suite 1130 |
| | Los Angeles, CA 90067 |
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| | PURCHASER: |
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| | Signature |
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| | Print Name |
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| | Address |
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RECEIPT
Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby acknowledges receipt of (check as applicable):
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| | | | A check in the amount of $ |
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| | | | The cancellation of indebtedness in the amount of $ |
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| | | | shares of (or cancellation of the right to exercise) the Company’s Common Stock with a fair market value of $ |
given by as consideration for Certificate No. for shares of Common Stock of the Company.
Dated:
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| | AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. |
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| | By: | | |
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| | | | Name: |
| | | | Title: |
Exhibit 10.4
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“the Agreement”) is effective May 9, 2007 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Auriga Laboratories, Inc., (the “Company”) and Philip S. Pesin (“Executive”).
1. ENGAGEMENT AND DUTIES
1.1Engagement. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company hereby continues to employ Executive as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Executive hereby accepts such engagement and continued employment, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes Executive’s prior employment agreement with the Company which was executed prior to the Effective Date between Executive and Company.
1.2Employment Period. Unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 4, Executive’s term of employment as Chief Executive Officer under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue for a period of two (2) years following the Effective Date. If the parties mutually agree, the parties shall have the option to extend the term of this Agreement for an additional two (2) year period upon either party notifying the other party, in accordance with section 7.2, of intent to renew at least ninety (90) days prior to the end of the initial two (2) year term, subject to acceptance of such renewal by the other party. The initial two (2) year term, and any additional renewal period, shall together be referred to as the “Employment Period” as such term is used in this Agreement.
1.3Duties and Responsibilities. During the Employment Period, the duties, authority and responsibilities of Executive shall be commensurate with the duties, authority and responsibilities customarily accorded a Chief Executive Officer at comparable companies, and shall include such duties and responsibilities as may be legally assigned to Executive by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). During the Employment Period, Executive shall report to the Board. Executive shall exercise such authority and perform such duties and services, consistent with his position, as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board and the Executive hereby agrees to perform well and faithfully such duties and responsibilities. The Board further agrees to nominate Executive to the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.4Devotion of Time and Best Efforts. Except for vacations as provided herein and absences due to temporary illness, under an approved leave, or as required by applicable law, Executive agrees to devote his best efforts, and energies on a full time basis during the Employment Period to the performance of his duties hereunder and to advance the Company’s interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive acknowledges during his employment with the Company, Executive may engage in any other business activity, whether or not such business activity is pursued for profit, or other pecuniary advantage, including, without limitation, personal investments, conducting private business affairs, participating on boards of nonprofit foundations and similar activities which, in each such case, do not materially interfere with the services rendered by Executive under this Agreement.
Pesin Employment Agreement
2. COMPENSATION
2.1Base Salary. During the Employment Period, in exchange for the services provided by Executive hereunder, Executive shall receive an annual “Base Salary” of Four Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($425,000) commencing on the first day of the Employment Period, but with retroactive effect to April 1, 2007, payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices and policies which are in effect from time to time. The Board, and/or the Compensation Committee of the Board, as applicable, shall review the Base Salary at least once a year to determine whether the Base Salary should be increased effective January 1st of any year during the Employment Period. The amount of the increase shall be determined no later than two (2) weeks prior to the annual filing of the Company’s Form 10k and any such increase shall be retroactive until January 1st of the year in which the salary increase occurs. The Company shall deduct and withhold all necessary social security and withholding taxes and any other similar sums required by law from such Base Salary, bonuses, benefits and other payments to the Executive, as applicable.
2.2Bonus. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive an annual bonus based on increases in market capitalization of the Company which occur subsequent to the Effective Date such that Executive shall be entitled to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars for every ten million dollars increase in market capitalization, with the foregoing bonus being payable each calendar quarter (“Quarterly Bonus”). Such Quarterly Bonus shall be prorated for any partial increase in market capitalization of the Company measured each quarter of the year. By way of example, if, during the first calendar quarter subsequent to the Effective Date, the market capitalization of the Company increases from $60 million to $62 million, Executive would be entitled to a Quarterly Bonus of $20,000. If, however, the market capitalization of the Company was only to remain at $60 million during the first calendar quarter subsequent to the Effective Date, Executive would receive no Quarterly Bonus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be entitled to any Quarterly Bonus if the amount of market capitalization of the Company is below any previous market capitalization amount on which Executive was paid. The amount of such Quarterly Bonus shall be payable to Executive within fifteen (15) days of the end of each calendar quarter. In addition to and without in any way limiting Executive rights to receive the Quarterly Bonus, Executive shall also be entitled to participate in any bonuses provided to senior management personnel of the Company as determined by the Board in their discretion.
2.3Equity Incentive Award. Concurrently herewith, the Company is granting Executive an award consisting of options to purchase Three Million (3,000,000) shares of common stock of the Company at the stock closing price on the Effective Date, pursuant to the terms of the 2007 Stock Option Plan and Stock Option Agreement of the Company, or any successor thereto, as applicable, under which such options shall vest twenty-five percent (25%) on the first anniversary of the Effective Date and, thereafter, the remainder of such unvested options shall vest equally on a monthly basis over months thirteen to thirty-six until fully vested on the third anniversary of the Effective Date. Executive shall continue to have the right to exercise any vested options for a period of at least twelve (12) months after the date of termination of employment for any of the reasons set forth in paragraph 4, below, other than for a termination for Cause. Executive shall be entitled to continue to participate in any pre-existing equity or warrant grants prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement pursuant to the stock
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Pesin Employment Agreement
option plans or warrant agreement plans applicable to such equity or warrant grants, including, without limitation, the Warrant Agreement dated March 29, 2006. Additionally, Executive shall be entitled to participate in any equity grants provided to senior management personnel of the Company under the 2007 Stock Option Plan or any successor thereto as determined by the Board in their discretion.
2.4Expense Reimbursements. The Company agrees that during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be authorized to incur ordinary and necessary expenses in connection with the promotion, operation and furtherance of the business affairs of the Company, including reasonable expenses incurred for purposes of entertainment, travel, business and educational/professional meetings, as shall be in accordance with normal Company policy approved by the Board and which are in accordance with Executive’s position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Company for such reasonable business expenditures upon presentation by the Executive to the Company of an itemized account of such expenditures, together with appropriate receipts and vouchers or other evidence as shall be required for tax or accounting purposes.
3. BENEFITS
3.1Health and Welfare. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the health and welfare benefits generally available to other senior management employees of the Company and shall have the same rights and privileges to participate in any employee benefit plans and arrangements, in accordance with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time as any other senior management employee of the Company.
3.2Pension & Retirement Benefits. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the qualified and nonqualified pension, profit sharing and retirement plans generally available to other senior management employees of the Company.
3.3Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to five weeks of vacation each full calendar year in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures related to vacation time. Executive may accrue up to a maximum of 2 times his yearly vacation allotment. However, upon reaching this maximum level of accrual, Executive will cease to accrue additional vacation time until the level of accrual falls below this maximum accrual cap.
3.4Legal Fees. Company shall pay Executive’s legal fees in conjunction with the drafting and negotiation of this Agreement in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars .
4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
4.1Death or Disability. If the Executive dies during the Employment Period, the Executive’s employment shall be deemed to terminate on or after the date of death, as of the date the Executive’s death is established by reasonable documentation. If the Executive is incapacitated or disabled by accident, sickness or otherwise so as to render him mentally or physically incapable of fully performing the essential functions of his position with reasonable accommodation for a period of six (6) months or more during any consecutive twelve (12) month period or twelve (12) consecutive weeks, after such twelve (12) month period, the Company, in
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Pesin Employment Agreement
its reasonable discretion, may terminate Executive’s employment due to “Disability” by providing written notice of such termination to Executive. A termination of Executive’s employment, and the Employment Period, by either Executive or the Company, for Disability shall be communicated to the other party by written notice, and shall be effective the thirtieth (30th) day after receipt of such notice of Disability by the other party.
4.2Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate the Employment Period and the Executive’s employment for “Cause” (such termination being hereinafter called a “Termination For Cause”) by giving the Executive notice in writing of such termination which sets forth in general the grounds for such termination. Such termination shall be effective immediately upon such notice. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean Executive’s conviction of a felony. A termination of Executive’s employment for Cause shall be effective when and if (a) for a felony under the laws of any federal or state jurisdiction in the United States, a resolution is duly adopted at such special meeting of the Board, by the majority vote of the members of the Board other than Executive, and (b) for a felony under the laws of any other jurisdiction, a resolution is duly adopted at such special meeting of the Board, by the unanimous vote of the members of the Board other than Executive, in each such case, terminating Executive’s employment for Cause, subject to de novo review in each such case of the question whether Cause existed through arbitration and arbitration of such issue shall take place in accordance with JAMS then current employment arbitration rules as the sole arbitrable issue before an arbitrator mutually agreed to by Executive and Company and the costs of such arbitration shall be paid by Company (provided, for avoidance of doubt, that if Cause is determined through such arbitration to not have existed, the termination of Executive’s employment shall not be reversed and shall instead be treated as a “Termination Without Cause” as such term is defined in section 4.3, entitling Executive to any severance and benefits which may result from a Termination Without Cause).
4.3Termination Without Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time during the Employment Period without “Cause” by giving the Executive written notice of such termination which shall be effective immediately upon such notice.
4.4Voluntary Termination. Executive may terminate the Employment Period and his employment hereunder by providing the Company with thirty (30) days written notice of his resignation. Any termination of the employment of the Executive hereunder by resignation (or other voluntary action of the Executive) shall be deemed to be a “Voluntary Termination.”
4.5Termination by Executive for Good Reason. Executive’s Employment Period may be terminated by Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean termination by Executive for any reason on or after a Change in Control, as defined below, or the occurrence of any one or more of the following events without Executive’s prior written consent, unless Company fully cures the circumstances constituting Good Reason (provided such circumstances are capable of cure) within thirty (30) business days of receipt of written notice of such circumstances by Company from Executive:
(a) A material reduction in Executive’s titles, duties, authority and responsibilities, or the assignment to Executive of any duties materially inconsistent with Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities without the written consent of Executive; or
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Pesin Employment Agreement
(b) Company’s reduction of Executive’s annual Base Salary or bonus opportunity, each as in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to time; or failure to pay Base Salary or bonus on a timely basis; or the relocation of Company’s headquarters to a location more than twenty-five (25) miles from Company’s current headquarters in Los Angeles, California; or
(c) The Board of Director’s failure to respond to a written request by Executive to address any business matters pertaining to the Company for a period exceeding ten (10) calendar days after the date of such written request by Executive; or
(d) Company’s failure to cure a material breach of its obligations under this Agreement within thirty (30) business days after written notice is delivered to the Board by Executive which specifically identifies the manner in which Executive believes that Company has breached its obligations under Agreement.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean (A) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (B) a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more corporations as a result of which the Company is not the surviving corporation; (C) approval by the stockholders of the Company of any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (D) approval by the stockholders of the Company of any merger or consolidation of the Company in which the holders of voting stock of the Company immediately before the merger or consolidation will not own fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting shares of the continuing or surviving corporation immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (E) a change of fifty percent (50%) (rounded to the next whole person) in the membership of the Board of Directors of the Company within a twelve (12) month period, unless the election or nomination for election by stockholders of each new director within such period was approved by the vote of two-thirds (2/3) (rounded to the next whole person) of the directors then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the twelve (12) month period.
Any termination for Good Reason must occur during a pre-determined limited period of time not to exceed two (2) years following the initial existence of one or more of the above conditions constituting “Good Reason”, as defined above. Executive is required to provide notice to Company of the existence of any condition constituting “Good Reason” within a period of ninety (90) days of the initial existence of any such condition and Company shall have the opportunity to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days.
5. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
5.1Termination of Employment Other Than For Cause. Upon the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for Death or Disability (Paragraph 4.1) or Termination Without Cause by the Company (Paragraph 4.3) or by Executive for Good Reason (Paragraph 4.5), Executive, or his estate in the case of Executive’s death, shall have the right to receive: (i) any unpaid portion of Executive’s Base Salary and prorated bonus as of the date of termination;
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Pesin Employment Agreement
(ii) payment for any accrued, but unused, vacation pay and documented unreimbursed expenses; (iii) severance equal to continuation of Executive’s then current Base Salary and all insurance benefits provided hereunder (including those benefits applicable to Executive’s family) for a two (2) year period from the date of termination; and (iv) acceleration of any unvested shares of restricted stock or options and no early expiration of exercise period due to termination of the Employment Period. Such amounts shall be in addition to any benefits Executive may receive under any insurance plan provided by the Company or from the State of California or Workers’ Compensation and the cash portions of the foregoing shall be paid in a single lump sum severance amount as soon as practicable following such termination of employment, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the effective date after such termination of employment. Should Company fail to pay the single lump sum severance amount described above, or any portion thereof, in the aforementioned time period, Company shall issue to Executive, on or before the first (1st) business day after the expiration of such time period, a senior convertible note secured by the Company’s assets, bearing interest at an annual rate equal to the then prevailing Prime Rate (as reported in the Wall Street Journal “Money Rates” section or such other comparable reporting source as may exist) plus two (2) percent, and in a principal amount equal to such lump sum severance amount, or portion thereof, which was not paid within the aforementioned time period. The terms of foregoing note shall also provide that such note shall be convertible at any time at Executive’s option into such number of shares of common stock of the Company as is determined by dividing the principal amount of such note, together with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon, by the per-share closing price of such common stock as of the effective date of termination of employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall subordinate any such note issued by the Company to any revolving line of credit with Comerica Bank or any other similar revolving line of credit which may be in effect at the time of issuance of any such note.
5.2Voluntary Termination or Termination For Cause. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to a Voluntary Termination (Paragraph 4.4) or a Termination For Cause (Paragraph 4.2), Executive shall have the right to receive (i) any unpaid portion of his Base Salary and Bonus as of the date of termination; (ii) payment for any accrued but unused vacation pay and documented unreimbursed expenses; and (iii) any benefits payable under the provisions of the Company’s benefit plans.
5.3Additional Payments by Company. In the event that any payments under this Agreement or any other compensation, benefit or other amounts payable from the Company for the benefit of Executive are subject to the tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (including any applicable interest and penalties, the “Excise Tax”), no such payment (“Parachute Payment”) shall be reduced (except for required tax withholdings) and the Company shall pay to Executive by the earlier of the date such Excise Tax is withheld from payments made to Executive or the date such Excise Tax becomes due and payable by Executive, an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount retained by Executive (after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Parachute Payments, taxes based upon the Tax Rate (as defined below) upon the payment provided for by this Section 5.3 and Excise Tax upon the payment provided for by this Section 5.3), shall be equal to the amount Executive would have received if no Excise Tax had been imposed. A Tax counsel chosen by the Company’s independent auditors, provided such person is reasonably acceptable to Executive (“Tax Counsel”), shall determine in good faith whether any of the
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Pesin Employment Agreement
Parachute Payments are subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of any Excise Tax, and Tax Counsel shall promptly notify Executive of its determination. The Company and Executive shall file all tax returns and reports regarding such Parachute Payments in a manner consistent with the Company’s reasonable good faith determination. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, Executive shall be deemed to pay taxes at the Tax Rate applicable at the time of the Gross-Up Payment. In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently determined to be less than the amount taken into account hereunder at the time a Parachute Payment is made, Executive shall repay to the Company promptly following the date that the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined the portion of the Gross-Up Payment attributable to such reduction (without interest). In the event that the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the time a Parachute Payment is made (including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the Gross-Up Payment), the Company shall pay Executive an additional amount with respect to the Gross-Up Payment in respect of such excess (plus any interest or penalties payable in respect of such excess) at the time that the amount of such excess is finally determined. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable fees, expenses, and costs related to determining the reasonableness of any Company position in connection with this paragraph and preparation of any tax return or other filing that is affected by any matter addressed in this paragraph, and any audit, litigation or other proceeding that is affected by any matter addressed in this Section 5.3 and an amount equal to the tax on such amounts at Executive’s Tax Rate. For the purposes of the foregoing, “Tax Rate” means Executive’s effective tax rate based upon the combined federal and state and local income, earnings, Medicare and any other tax rates applicable to Executive, all at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the country and state of Executive’s residence on the date of determination, net of the reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained by deduction of such state and local taxes.”
6. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
6.1Confidential Information. In the course of his employment with Company, Executive will have access to confidential and proprietary information and records, data and other trade secrets of Company (“Confidential Information”). Confidential Information shall include, without limitation, the following types of information or material, both existing and contemplated, regarding Company: Corporate information, including plans, strategies, policies, resolutions and any litigation or negotiations; marketing information, including strategies, methods, customers, prospects or market research data; financial information, including cost and performance data, debt arrangement, equity structure, investors and holdings; operational and scientific information, including trade secrets and technical information; and personnel information, including personnel lists, resumes, personnel data, organizational structure, compensation structure and performance evaluations. Executive shall not directly or indirectly disclose Confidential Information to any person or entity or use any Confidential Information in any way except as required in the performance of his duties for the Company. For purposes of this paragraph, Confidential Information does not include any publicly available information or any information, prints, patents or other rights that Executive had or owned prior to employment with Company.
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Pesin Employment Agreement
7. MISCELLANEOUS
7.1Severability. If any one or more provisions contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
7.2Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, telecopied, dispatched by reputable commercial courier or delivered by hand as follows:
If to Executive:
c/o Loeb & Loeb LLP
Attn: Paul Severin, Esq.
10100 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Telephone: 310-282-2000
Facsimile: 310-282-2200
With a copy to:
Singer, Lewak, Greenbaum and Goldstein LLP
Attn: Steve Cupingood
10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Telephone: 310-477-3931
Facsimile: 310-477-8565
If to the Company:
2029 Century Park East, Suite 1130
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Telephone: 877- 287-4428
Facsimile: 678-282-1700
If any notice, request, demand, direction or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder is given by mail, it will be effective on the third calendar day after deposit in the United States mail with first class or airmail postage prepaid; if given by telecopier during regular business hours of the recipient, when sent; if given by telecopier outside regular business hours of the recipient, at the opening of business on the next business day; if dispatched by reputable commercial courier, on the scheduled delivery date; or if given by personal delivery, when delivered.
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Pesin Employment Agreement
7.3Binding Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon, and will inure to the benefit of, the respective heirs, legal representatives and successors of the parties hereto.
7.4Governing Law. This Agreement and all amendments thereof shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in all respects in accordance with, the laws of the State of California.
7.5Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party must be in writing and shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party.
7.6Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, terms sheets, oral or written representations and understandings among the parties with respect thereto.
7.7Amendments. This agreement may be amended only by an agreement in writing signed by Executive and the Chairman of the Board of the Company.
7.8Assignment. This Agreement is personal in its nature and the parties hereto shall not, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer this agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder.
7.9Attorneys Fees. If any Party brings an action or proceeding involving this Agreement, the prevailing party in any such proceeding, action, or appeal thereon, shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees
7.10Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided, any payment of compensation by Company to Executive, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, shall be made within two and one-half months (21/2 months) after the later of the end of the calendar year of the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s right to such payment vests (i.e., is not subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” for purposes of Code Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”)). To the extent that any severance payments (including payments on termination for “good reason”) come within the definition of “involuntary severance” under Code Section 409A, such amounts up to the lesser of two times the Executive’s annual compensation for the year preceding the year of termination or two times the 401(a)(17) limit for the year of termination, shall be excluded from “deferred compensation” as allowed under Code Section 409A, and shallnot be subject to the following Code Section 409A compliance requirements. All payments of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A) are intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. Neither party individually or in combination may accelerate any such deferred payment, except in compliance with Code Section 409A, and no amount shall be paid prior to the earliest date on which it is permitted to be paid under Code Section 409A. In the event that Executive is determined to be a “key employee” (as defined in Code Section 416(i) (without regard to paragraph (5) thereof)) of Company at a time when its stock is deemed to be publicly traded on an established securities market, payments
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determined to be “nonqualified deferred compensation” payable following termination of employment shall be made no earlier than the earlier of (i) the last day of the sixth (6th) complete calendar month following such termination of employment, or (ii) Executive’s death, consistent with the provisions of Code Section 409A. Any payment delayed by reason of the prior sentence shall be paid out in a single lump sum at the end of such required delay period in order to catch up to the original payment schedule. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amendment may be made to this Agreement if it would cause the Agreement or any payment hereunder not to be in compliance with Code Section 409A.
7.11Arm’s Length Agreement. This Agreement has been negotiated at arm’s length between persons knowledgeable in the matters dealt with herein. Each of the parties hereto has been represented by independent legal counsel of its own choice. Accordingly, any rule of law or any statute, legal decision, or common law principle of similar effect, that would require interpretation of any ambiguity in this Agreement against the party that drafted it, is of no application and is hereby expressly waived. The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a reasonable manner to effect the intentions of the parties hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive has hereunto set his hand and, pursuant to due authorization from the Board, the Company has caused these promises to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
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“COMPANY” — Auriga Laboratories, Inc. | | | | “EXECUTIVE” |
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By: | | /s/ Charles R. Bearchell | | | | /s/ Philip S. Pesin |
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Name: | | Charles R. Bearchell | | | | Philip S. Pesin |
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Its: | | Chief Financial Officer | | | | |
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Exhibit 10.5
AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC.
2007 Stock Option Plan
NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
Grantee: Philip S. Pesin
You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock (“Common Stock”) of Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) as follows:
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Board Approval Date: | | 5/4/2007 |
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Date of Grant: | | 5/4/2007 |
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Vesting Commencement Date: | | 5/9/2007 |
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Exercise Price Per Share: | | $1.57 |
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Total Number of Shares Granted: | | 3,000,000 |
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Type of Option: | | NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION |
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Term/Expiration Date: | | 5/4//2017 |
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Vesting Schedule: | | The shares subject to the Option shall vest as follows: Twenty-five Percent (25%) of the shares shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date; so long as you remain in Continuous Service with the Company, 1/24th of the total number of remaining shares subject to the Option shall vest each month thereafter. |
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Termination Period: | | In accordance with the Employment Agreement dated May 8, 2007. |
By your signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company agree that this option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the 2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN and the Stock Option Agreement, both of which are attached and made a part of this document.
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GRANTEE | | AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. |
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/s/ Philip S. Pesin | | By: | | /s/ Charles R. Bearchell |
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Signature | | | | |
| | Name: | | Charles R. Bearchell |
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Philip S. Pesin | | | | |
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| | Title: | | Chief Financial Officer |
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AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC.
2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
1. Grant of Option. Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby grants to GRANTEE (“Optionee”) an option (the “Option”) to purchase a total number of shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”) set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the “Exercise Price”) subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Auriga Laboratories, Inc. 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) adopted by the Company, which is incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Option.
If designated an Incentive Stock Option, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
2. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its Term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and with the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 of the Plan as follows:
(a)Right to Exercise.
(i) This Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time after the Date of Grant, as to Shares which have not yet vested under the vesting schedule indicated on the Notice of Stock Option Grant; provided, however, that Optionee shall execute as a condition to such exercise of this Option, the Early Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement attached hereto asExhibit A (the “Early Exercise Agreement”). If Optionee chooses to exercise this Option solely as to Shares which have vested under the vesting schedule indicated on the Notice of Stock Option Grant, Optionee shall complete and execute the form of Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement attached hereto asExhibit B(the “Exercise Agreement”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may in its discretion prescribe or accept a different form of notice of exercise and/or stock purchase agreement if such forms are otherwise consistent with this Agreement, the Plan and then-applicable law.
(ii) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.
(iii) In the event of Optionee’s death, disability or other termination of employment or consulting relationship, the exercisability of the Option is governed by Sections 5, 6 and 7 below, subject to the limitation contained in Section 2(a)(iv) below.
(iv) In no event may this Option be exercised after the Expiration Date of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.
(b) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by execution and delivery of the Early Exercise Agreement or the Exercise Agreement, whichever is applicable, or of any other written notice approved for such purpose by the Company which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being
exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to the holder’s investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such written notice shall be signed by Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. Subject to Section 2(c) below, the written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price.
No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of applicable law, including the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.
(c)Net Issue Exercise.
(i) In lieu of exercising this Option in the manner provided above in Section 2(b), the Optionee may elect to receive shares equal to the value of this Option (or the portion thereof being canceled) by surrender of this Option at the principal office of the Company together with the Early Exercise Agreement or Exercise Agreement, as the case may be, duly executed by such Optionee, in which event the Company shall issue to holder a number of shares of Common Stock computed using the following formula:
X = Y (A – B)
A
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Where | | X = | | The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Optionee. |
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| | Y = | | The number of shares of Common Stock purchasable under this Option (at the date of such calculation). |
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| | A = | | The Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock (at the date of such calculation). |
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| | B = | | The Purchase Price (as adjusted to the date of such calculation). |
3. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by cash, check, or any other form approved by the Company), or any other method permitted under the Plan; provided however that the Administrator may refuse to allow Optionee to tender a particular form of payment (other than cash or check) if, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, acceptance of such form of consideration would not be in the best interests of the Company at such time.
4. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised until such time as the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, or if the issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of this Option, the Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.
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5. Termination of Relationship. In the event of termination of Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, Optionee may, to the extent otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the “Termination Date”), exercise this Option during the Termination Period set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option at such Termination Date, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option within the Termination Period, the Option shall terminate.
6.Disability of Optionee.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5 above, in the event of termination of Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of his or her total and permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within twelve months from the Termination Date (but in no event later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and in Section 9 below), exercise this Option to the extent he or she was entitled to exercise it at such Termination Date. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option on the Termination Date, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified in this Section 6(a), the Option shall terminate.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5 above, in the event of termination of Optionee’s consulting relationship or Continuous Status as an Employee as a result of a disability not constituting a total and permanent disability (as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within six months from the Termination Date (but in no event later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and in Section 9 below), exercise the Option to the extent Optionee was entitled to exercise it as of such Termination Date; provided, however, that if this is an Incentive Stock Option and Optionee fails to exercise this Incentive Stock Option within three months from the Termination Date, this Option will cease to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) and Optionee will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received ordinary income at the time of such exercise in an amount generally measured by the difference between the Exercise Price for the Shares and the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the Termination Date, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified in this Section 6(b), the Option shall terminate.
7. Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of Optionee (a) during the Term of this Option and while an Employee or Consultant of the Company and having been in Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant since the date of grant of the Option, or (b) within 30 days after Optionee’s Termination Date, the Option may be exercised at any time within six months following the date of death (but in no event later than the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and in Section 9 below), by Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that had accrued at the Termination Date.
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8. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by him or her. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of Optionee.
9. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the Term set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6 of the Plan.
10. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date of this Option of certain of the federal and state tax consequences of exercise of this Option and disposition of the Shares under the laws in effect as of the Date of Grant. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
(a) Exercise of Incentive Stock Option. If this Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option, there will be no regular federal or state income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes and may subject Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year of exercise.
(b) Exercise of Nonstatutory Stock Option. If this Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, there may be a regular federal income tax liability and a state income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option. Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is a current or former employee, the Company may be required to withhold from Optionee’s compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise.
(c) Disposition of Shares. In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, if Shares are held for more than one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income tax purposes. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for more than one year after exercise and are disposed of at least two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will also be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income tax purposes. In either case, the long-term capital gain will be taxed for federal income tax and alternative minimum tax purposes at a maximum rate of 20% if the Shares are held more than one year after exercise. If Shares purchased under an Incentive Stock Option are disposed of within one year after exercise or within two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on such disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of the difference between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (ii) the sale price of the Shares.
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(d) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of Incentive Stock Option Shares. If the Option granted to Optionee herein is an Incentive Stock Option, and if Optionee sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the Incentive Stock Option on or before the later of (i) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (ii) the date one year after the date of exercise, Optionee shall immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee acknowledges and agrees that he or she may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized by Optionee from the early disposition by payment in cash or out of the current earnings paid to Optionee.
11.Withholding Tax Obligations.
(a) General Withholding Obligations. As a condition to the exercise of Option granted hereunder, Optionee shall make such arrangements as the Administrator may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the exercise, receipt or vesting of the Option. The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied. Optionee understands that, upon exercising a Nonstatutory Stock Option, he or she will recognize income for tax purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the then Fair Market Value of the Shares over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is an employee, the Company will be required to withhold from Optionee’s compensation, or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income. Additionally, Optionee may at some point be required to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to the disqualifying disposition of an Incentive Stock Option. Optionee shall satisfy his or her tax withholding obligation arising upon the exercise of this Option by one or some combination of the following methods: (i) by cash or check payment, (ii) out of Optionee’s current compensation, (iii) if permitted by the Administrator, in its discretion, by surrendering to the Company Shares which (A) in the case of Shares previously acquired from the Company, have been owned by Optionee for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value determined as of the applicable Tax Date (as defined in Section 11(c) below) on the date of surrender equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (iv) by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option, or the Shares to be issued in connection with the Stock Purchase Right, if any, that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value determined as of the applicable Tax Date equal to the amount required to be withheld.
(b) Stock Withholding to Satisfy Withholding Tax Obligations. In the event the Administrator allows Optionee to satisfy his or her tax withholding obligations as provided in Section 11(a)(iii) or (iv) above, such satisfaction must comply with the requirements of this Section (11)(b) and all applicable laws. All elections by Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions:
(i) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax Date (as defined in Section 11(c) below);
(ii) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the particular Shares of the Option as to which the election is made; and
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(iii) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of the Administrator.
In the event the election to have Shares withheld is made by Optionee and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no election is filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, Optionee shall receive the full number of Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised but Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to the Company the proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.
(c) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 11, the Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined under the Applicable Laws (the “Tax Date”).
12. Market Standoff Agreement. In connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s securities and upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing such underwritten offering of the Company’s securities, Optionee agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company (other than those included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time (not to exceed 180 days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters and to execute an agreement reflecting the foregoing as may be requested by the underwriters at the time of the Company’s initial public offering.
[Signature Page Follows]
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This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one document.
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| | AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. |
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| | By: | | /s/ Charles R. Bearchell |
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| | Name: | | Charles R. Bearchell |
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| | Title: | | Chief Financial Officer |
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OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY’S STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE’S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Option.
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Dated: May 9, 2007 | | /s/ Philip S. Pesin |
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EXHIBIT A
AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC.
2007 Stock Option Plan
EARLY EXERCISE NOTICE AND RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of , by and between Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and (“Purchaser”). To the extent any capitalized terms used in this Agreement are not defined, they shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the 2007 Stock Option Plan.
1. Exercise of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Purchaser hereby elects to exercise his or her option to purchase shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of the Company under and pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement dated (the “Option Agreement”). Of these Shares, Purchaser has elected to purchase of those Shares which have become vested as of the date hereof under the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the “Vested Shares”) and Shares which have not yet vested under such Vesting Schedule (the “Unvested Shares”). The purchase price for the Shares shall be $ per Share for a total purchase price of $ , which amount shall be paid for by a check in the amount of $ . The term “Shares” refers to the purchased Shares and all securities received in replacement of the Shares or as stock dividends or splits, all securities received in replacement of the Shares in a recapitalization, merger, reorganization, exchange or the like, and all new, substituted or additional securities or other properties to which Purchaser is entitled by reason of Purchaser’s ownership of the Shares.
2. Time and Place of Exercise. The purchase and sale of the Shares under this Agreement shall occur at the principal office of the Company simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(b) of the Option Agreement. On such date, the Company will deliver to Purchaser a certificate representing the Shares to be purchased by Purchaser (which shall be issued in Purchaser’s name) against payment of the purchase price therefor by Purchaser by (a) check made payable to the Company, (b) cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to Purchaser, (c) delivery of shares of the Common Stock of the Company in accordance with Section 3 of the Option Agreement, or (d) a combination of the foregoing.
3. Limitations on Transfer. In addition to any other limitation on transfer created by applicable securities laws, Purchaser shall not assign, encumber or dispose of any interest in the Shares while the Shares are subject to the Company’s Repurchase Option (as defined below). After any Shares have been released from such Repurchase Option, Purchaser shall not assign, encumber or dispose of any interest in such Shares except in compliance with the provisions below and applicable securities laws.
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(a)Repurchase Option.
(i) In the event of the voluntary or involuntary termination of Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship with the Company for any reason (including death or disability), with or without cause, the Company shall upon the date of such termination (the “Termination Date”) have an irrevocable, exclusive option (the “Repurchase Option”) for a period of 90 days from such date to repurchase all or any portion of the Shares held by Purchaser as of the Termination Date which have not yet been released from the Company’s Repurchase Option at the original purchase price per Share specified in Section 1 (adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends and the like).
(ii) Unless the Company notifies Purchaser within 90 days from the date of termination of Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship that it does not intend to exercise its Repurchase Option with respect to some or all of the Shares, the Repurchase Option shall be deemed automatically exercised by the Company as of the 90th day following such termination, provided that the Company may notify Purchaser that it is exercising its Repurchase Option as of a date prior to such 90th day. Unless Purchaser is otherwise notified by the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence that the Company does not intend to exercise its Repurchase Option as to some or all of the Shares to which it applies at the time of termination, execution of this Agreement by Purchaser constitutes written notice to Purchaser of the Company’s intention to exercise its Repurchase Option with respect to all Shares to which such Repurchase Option applies. The Company, at its choice, may satisfy its payment obligation to Purchaser with respect to exercise of the Repurchase Option by either (A) delivering a check to Purchaser in the amount of the purchase price for the Shares being repurchased, or (B) in the event Purchaser is indebted to the Company, canceling an amount of such indebtedness equal to the purchase price for the Shares being repurchased, or (C) by a combination of (A) and (B) so that the combined payment and cancellation of indebtedness equals such purchase price. In the event of any deemed automatic exercise of the Repurchase Option pursuant to this Section 3(a)(ii) in which Purchaser is indebted to the Company, such indebtedness equal to the purchase price of the Shares being repurchased shall be deemed automatically canceled as of the 90th day following termination of Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship unless the Company otherwise satisfies its payment obligations. As a result of any repurchase of Shares pursuant to this Section 3(a), the Company shall become the legal and beneficial owner of the Shares being repurchased and shall have all rights and interest therein or related thereto, and the Company shall have the right to transfer to its own name the number of Shares being repurchased by the Company, without further action by Purchaser.
(iii) One hundred percent (100%) of the Shares shall initially be subject to the Repurchase Option. The Unvested Shares shall be released from the Repurchase Option in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant until all Shares are released from the Repurchase Option. Fractional shares shall be rounded to the nearest whole share.
(b) Right of First Refusal. Before any Shares held by Purchaser or any transferee of Purchaser (either being sometimes referred to herein as the “Holder”) may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or operation of law), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 3(b) (the “Right of First Refusal”).
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(i) Notice of Proposed Transfer. The Holder of the Shares shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (i) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise transfer such Shares; (ii) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (iii) the number of Shares to be transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (iv) the terms and conditions of each proposed sale or transfer. The Holder shall offer the Shares at the same price (the “Offered Price”) and upon the same terms (or terms as similar as reasonably possible) to the Company or its assignee(s).
(ii) Exercise of Right of First Refusal. At any time within 30 days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may, by giving written notice to the Holder, elect to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees, at the purchase price determined in accordance with subsection (iii) below.
(iii) Purchase Price. The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares purchased by the Company or its assignee(s) under this Section 3(b) shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.
(iv) Payment. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), by net exercise pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Option Agreement, or by any combination thereof within 30 days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner and at the times set forth in the Notice.
(v) Holder’s Right to Transfer. If all of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be transferred to a given Proposed Transferee are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section 3(b), then the Holder may sell or otherwise transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other transfer is consummated within 60 days after the date of the Notice and provided further that any such sale or other transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section 3 shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such period, or if the Holder proposes to change the price or other terms to make them more favorable to the Proposed Transferee, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise transferred.
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(vi) Exception for Certain Family Transfers. Anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3(b) notwithstanding, the transfer of any or all of the Shares during Purchaser’s lifetime or on Purchaser’s death by will or intestacy to Purchaser’s Immediate Family (as defined below) or a trust for the benefit of Purchaser’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section 3(b). “Immediate Family” as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister. In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so transferred subject to the provisions of this Section, and there shall be no further transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.
(c)Involuntary Transfer.
(i) Company’s Right to Purchase upon Involuntary Transfer. In the event, at any time after the date of this Agreement, of any transfer by operation of law or other involuntary transfer (including divorce or death, but excluding, in the event of death, a transfer to Immediate Family as set forth in Section 3(b)(vi) above) of all or a portion of the Shares by the record holder thereof, the Company shall have the right to purchase all of the Shares transferred at the greater of the purchase price paid by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement or the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of transfer. Upon such a transfer, the person acquiring the Shares shall promptly notify the Secretary of the Company of such transfer. The right to purchase such Shares shall be provided to the Company for a period of 30 days following receipt by the Company of written notice by the person acquiring the Shares.
(ii) Price for Involuntary Transfer. With respect to any stock to be transferred pursuant to Section 3(c)(i), the price per Share shall be a price set by the Board of Directors of the Company that will reflect the current value of the stock in terms of present earnings and future prospects of the Company. The Company shall notify Purchaser or his or her executor of the price so determined within 30 days after receipt by it of written notice of the transfer or proposed transfer of Shares. However, if the Purchaser does not agree with the valuation as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Purchaser shall be entitled to have the valuation determined by an independent appraiser to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Purchaser and whose fees shall be borne equally by the Company and the Purchaser.
(d) Assignment. The right of the Company to purchase any part of the Shares may be assigned in whole or in part to any shareholder or shareholders of the Company or other persons or organizations.
(e) Restrictions Binding on Transferees. All transferees of Shares or any interest therein will receive and hold such Shares or interest subject to the provisions of this Agreement, including, insofar as applicable, the Repurchase Option. In the event of any purchase by the Company hereunder where the Shares or interest are held by a transferee, the transferee shall be obligated, if requested by the Company, to transfer the Shares or interest to the Purchaser for consideration equal to the amount to be paid by the Company hereunder. In the event the Repurchase Option is deemed exercised by the Company pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii) hereof, the Company may deem any transferee to have transferred the Shares or interest to Purchaser prior to their purchase by the Company, and payment of the purchase price by the Company to such transferee shall be deemed to satisfy Purchaser’s obligation to pay such transferee for such Shares or interest, and also to satisfy the Company’s obligation to pay Purchaser for such Shares or interest. Any sale or transfer of the Shares shall be void unless the provisions of this Agreement are satisfied.
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(f) Termination of Rights. The Right of First Refusal and the Company’s right to repurchase the Shares in the event of an involuntary transfer pursuant to Section 3(c) above shall terminate upon the listing of Common Stock of the Company on a national exchange.
(g) Market Standoff Agreement. In connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s securities and upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing such underwritten offering of the Company’s securities, Purchaser agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company (other than those included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time (not to exceed 180 days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters and to execute an agreement reflecting the foregoing as may be requested by the underwriters at the time of the Company’s initial public offering.
4. Escrow of Unvested Shares. For purposes of facilitating the enforcement of the provisions of Section 3 above, Purchaser agrees, immediately upon receipt of the certificate(s) for the Shares subject to the Repurchase Option, to deliver such certificate(s), together with an Assignment Separate from Certificate in the form attached to this Agreement asAttachment A executed by Purchaser and by Purchaser’s spouse (if required for transfer), in blank, to the Secretary of the Company, or the Secretary’s designee, to hold such certificate(s) and Assignment Separate from Certificate in escrow and to take all such actions and to effectuate all such transfers and/or releases as are in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Purchaser hereby acknowledges that the Secretary of the Company, or the Secretary’s designee, is so appointed as the escrow holder with the foregoing authorities as a material inducement to make this Agreement and that said appointment is coupled with an interest and is accordingly irrevocable. Purchaser agrees that said escrow holder shall not be liable to any party hereof (or to any other party). The escrow holder may rely upon any letter, notice or other document executed by any signature purported to be genuine and may resign at any time. Purchaser agrees that if the Secretary of the Company, or the Secretary’s designee, resigns as escrow holder for any or no reason, the Board of Directors of the Company shall have the power to appoint a successor to serve as escrow holder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
5. Investment and Taxation Representations. In connection with the purchase of the Shares, Purchaser represents to the Company the following:
(a) Purchaser is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Purchaser is purchasing the Shares for investment for his or her own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act. Purchaser does not have any present intention to transfer the Shares to any other person or entity.
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(b) Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Purchaser’s investment intent as expressed herein.
(c) Purchaser understands that the Shares are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares for resale. Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchaser’s control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
(d) Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted any tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
6.Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.
(a) Legends. The certificate or certificates representing the Shares shall bear the following legends (as well as any legends required by applicable state and federal corporate and securities laws):
(i) THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE OR DISTRIBUTION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
(ii) THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
(b) Stop-Transfer Notices. Purchaser agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
(c) Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
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(d) Removal of Legend. When all of the following events have occurred, the Shares then held by Purchaser will no longer be subject to the legend referred to in Section 6(a)(ii): (i) the termination of the Right of First Refusal; (ii) the expiration or termination of the market standoff provisions of Section 3(g) (and of any agreement entered pursuant to Section 3(g)); and (iii) the expiration or exercise in full of the Repurchase Option. After such time, and upon Purchaser’s request, a new certificate or certificates representing the Shares not repurchased shall be issued without the legend referred to in Section 6(a)(ii), and delivered to Purchaser.
7. No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, to terminate Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship, for any reason, with or without cause.
8. Section 83(b) Election. Purchaser understands that Section 83(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), taxes as ordinary income for a Nonstatutory Stock Option and as alternative minimum taxable income for an Incentive Stock Option the difference between the amount paid for the Shares and the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date any restrictions on the Shares lapse. In this context, “restriction” means the right of the Company to buy back the Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Option set forth in Section 3(a) of this Agreement. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may elect to be taxed at the time the Shares are purchased, rather than when and as the Repurchase Option expires, by filing an election under Section 83(b) (an “83(b) Election”) of the Code with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days from the date of purchase. Even if the Fair Market Value of the Shares at the time of the execution of this Agreement equals the amount paid for the Shares, the election must be made to avoid income and alternative minimum tax treatment under Section 83(a) in the future. Purchaser understands that failure to file such an election in a timely manner may result in adverse tax consequences for Purchaser. Purchaser further understands that an additional copy of such election form should be filed with his or her federal income tax return for the calendar year in which the date of this Agreement falls. Purchaser acknowledges that the foregoing is only a summary of the effect of United States federal income taxation with respect to purchase of the Shares hereunder, and does not purport to be complete. Purchaser further acknowledges that the Company has directed Purchaser to seek independent advice regarding the applicable provisions of the Code, the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which Purchaser may reside, and the tax consequences of Purchaser’s death.
Purchaser agrees that he or she will execute and deliver to the Company with this executed Agreement a copy of the Acknowledgment and Statement of Decision Regarding Section 83(b) Election (the “Acknowledgment”) attached hereto asAttachment B. Purchaser further agrees that he or she will execute and submit with the Acknowledgment a copy of the 83(b) Election attached hereto asAttachment C (for tax purposes in connection with the early exercise of an option) if Purchaser has indicated in the Acknowledgment his or her decision to make such an election.
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9. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
(b) Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions between them. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.
(c) Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(d) Construction. This Agreement is the result of negotiations between and has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and their respective counsel, if any; accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of all of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against any one of the parties hereto.
(e) Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by telegram or fax or 48 hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
(g) Successors and Assigns. The rights and benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Purchaser under this Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Company.
(h) Georgia Corporate Securities Law. THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, OR ANY OTHER STATE, AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO THE QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON THE QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
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(i) California Corporate Securities Law. THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, OR ANY OTHER STATE, AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO THE QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON THE QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
[Signature Page Follows]
A-9
The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
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| | COMPANY: |
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| | AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. |
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| | By: | | | | |
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| | Name: | | | | |
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| | Title: | | | | |
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| | | | Address: | | 2029 Century Park East, Suite 1130 |
| | | | | | Los Angeles, CA 90067 |
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| | PURCHASER: |
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| | Signature |
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| | Print Name |
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| | Address |
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| | Address |
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ATTACHMENT A
ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE
FOR VALUE RECEIVED and pursuant to that certain Early Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement between the undersigned (“Purchaser”) and Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) dated , (the “Agreement”), Purchaser hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto the Company ( ) shares of the Common Stock of the Company, standing in Purchaser’s name on the books of the Company and represented by Certificate No. , and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint to transfer said stock on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises. THIS ASSIGNMENT MAY ONLY BE USED AS AUTHORIZED BY THE AGREEMENT AND THE ATTACHMENTS THERETO.
Dated:
Signature:
Instruction: Please do not fill in any blanks other than the signature line. The purpose of this assignment is to enable the Company to exercise its Repurchase Option set forth in the Agreement without requiring additional signatures on the part of Purchaser.
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ATTACHMENT B
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND STATEMENT OF DECISION
REGARDING SECTION 83(b) ELECTION
The undersigned (which term includes the undersigned’s spouse), a purchaser of shares of Common Stock of Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) by exercise of an option (the “Option”) granted pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”), hereby states as follows:
1. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan relating to the offering of such shares. The undersigned has carefully reviewed the Plan and the option agreement pursuant to which the Option was granted.
2. The undersigned either [check and complete as applicable]:
| (a) | | has consulted, and has been fully advised by, the undersigned’s own tax advisor, , whose business address is , regarding the federal, state and local tax consequences of purchasing shares under the Plan, and particularly regarding the advisability of making elections pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and pursuant to the corresponding provisions, if any, of applicable state law; or |
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| (b) | | has knowingly chosen not to consult such a tax advisor. |
3. The undersigned hereby states that the undersigned has decided [check as applicable]:
| (a) | | to make an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code, and is submitting to the Company, together with the undersigned’s executed Early Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, an executed form entitled “Election Under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;” or |
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| (b) | | not to make an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. |
4. Neither the Company nor any subsidiary or representative of the Company has made any warranty or representation to the undersigned with respect to the tax consequences of the undersigned’s purchase of shares under the Plan or of the making or failure to make an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or the corresponding provisions, if any, of applicable state law.
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ATTACHMENT C
ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b)
OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986
The undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, to include in taxpayer’s gross income or alternative minimum taxable income, as applicable, for the current taxable year, the amount of any income that may be taxable to taxpayer in connection with taxpayer’s receipt of the property described below:
1. The name, address, taxpayer identification number and taxable year of the undersigned are as follows:
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IDENTIFICATION NO. OF TAXPAYER: | | | | |
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2. The property with respect to which the election is made is described as follows:
shares of the Common Stock of Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).
3. The date on which the property was transferred is:
4. The property is subject to the following restrictions:
Repurchase option at cost in favor of the Company upon termination of taxpayer’s employment or consulting relationship.
5. The fair market value at the time of transfer, determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will never lapse, of such property is: $
The amount (if any) paid for such property: $
The undersigned has submitted a copy of this statement to the person for whom the services were performed in connection with the undersigned’s receipt of the above-described property. The transferee of such property is the person performing the services in connection with the transfer of said property.
The undersigned understands that the foregoing election may not be revoked except with the consent of the Commissioner.
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RECEIPT AND CONSENT
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a photocopy of Certificate No. for shares of Common Stock of Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”).
The undersigned further acknowledges that the Secretary of the Company, or his or her designee, is acting as escrow holder pursuant to the Early Exercise Notice and Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement Purchaser has previously entered into with the Company. As escrow holder, the Secretary of the Company, or his or her designee, holds the original of the aforementioned certificate issued in the undersigned’s name.
EXHIBIT B
AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC.
2007 Stock Option Plan
EXERCISE NOTICE AND RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of , by and between Auriga Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and (“Purchaser”). To the extent any capitalized terms used in this Agreement are not defined, they shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the 2007 Stock Option Plan.
1. Exercise of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Purchaser hereby elects to exercise his or her option to purchase shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of the Company under and pursuant to the Company’s 2007 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement dated , (the “Option Agreement”). The purchase price for the Shares shall be $ per Share for a total purchase price of $ . The term “Shares” refers to the purchased Shares and all securities received in replacement of the Shares or as stock dividends or splits, all securities received in replacement of the Shares in a recapitalization, merger, reorganization, exchange or the like, and all new, substituted or additional securities or other properties to which Purchaser is entitled by reason of Purchaser’s ownership of the Shares.
2. Time and Place of Exercise. The purchase and sale of the Shares under this Agreement shall occur at the principal office of the Company simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(b) of the Option Agreement. On such date, the Company will deliver to Purchaser a certificate representing the Shares to be purchased by Purchaser (which shall be issued in Purchaser’s name) against payment of the purchase price therefor by Purchaser by (a) check made payable to the Company, (b) cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to Purchaser, (c) delivery of shares of the Common Stock of the Company in accordance with Section 3 of the Option Agreement, or (d) a combination of the foregoing.
3. Limitations on Transfer. In addition to any other limitation on transfer created by applicable securities laws, Purchaser shall not assign, encumber or dispose of any interest in the Shares except in compliance with the provisions below and applicable securities laws.
(a) Right of First Refusal. Before any Shares held by Purchaser or any transferee of Purchaser (either being sometimes referred to herein as the “Holder”) may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or operation of law), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 3(a) (the “Right of First Refusal”).
(i) Notice of Proposed Transfer. The Holder of the Shares shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (i) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise transfer such Shares; (ii) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (iii) the number of Shares to be transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (iv) the terms and conditions of each proposed sale or transfer. The Holder shall offer the Shares at the same price (the “Offered Price”) and upon the same terms (or terms as similar as reasonably possible) to the Company or its assignee(s).
(ii) Exercise of Right of First Refusal. At any time within 30 days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may, by giving written notice to the Holder, elect to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Shares proposed to be transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees, at the purchase price determined in accordance with subsection (iii) below.
(iii) Purchase Price. The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the Shares purchased by the Company or its assignee(s) under this Section 3(a) shall be the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.
(iv) Payment. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), by net exercise pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Option Agreement, or by any combination thereof within 30 days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner and at the times set forth in the Notice.
(v) Holder’s Right to Transfer. If all of the Shares proposed in the Notice to be transferred to a given Proposed Transferee are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section 3(a), then the Holder may sell or otherwise transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other transfer is consummated within 60 days after the date of the Notice and provided further that any such sale or other transfer is effected in accordance with any applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Section 3 shall continue to apply to the Shares in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such period, or if the Holder proposes to change the price or other terms to make them more favorable to the Proposed Transferee, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal before any Shares held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise transferred.
(vi) Exception for Certain Family Transfers. Anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3(a) notwithstanding, the transfer of any or all of the Shares during Purchaser’s lifetime or on Purchaser’s death by will or intestacy to Purchaser’s Immediate Family (as defined below) or a trust for the benefit of Purchaser’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section 3(a). “Immediate Family” as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister. In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so transferred subject to the provisions of this Section, and there shall be no further transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.
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(b)Involuntary Transfer.
(i) Company’s Right to Purchase upon Involuntary Transfer. In the event, at any time after the date of this Agreement, of any transfer by operation of law or other involuntary transfer (including divorce or death, but excluding, in the event of death, a transfer to Immediate Family as set forth in Section 3(a)(vi) above) of all or a portion of the Shares by the record holder thereof, the Company shall have the right to purchase all of the Shares transferred at the greater of the purchase price paid by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement or the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of transfer. Upon such a transfer, the person acquiring the Shares shall promptly notify the Secretary of the Company of such transfer. The right to purchase such Shares shall be provided to the Company for a period of 30 days following receipt by the Company of written notice by the person acquiring the Shares.
(ii) Price for Involuntary Transfer. With respect to any stock to be transferred pursuant to Section 3(b)(i), the price per Share shall be a price set by the Board of Directors of the Company that will reflect the current value of the stock in terms of present earnings and future prospects of the Company. The Company shall notify Purchaser or his or her executor of the price so determined within 30 days after receipt by it of written notice of the transfer or proposed transfer of Shares. However, if the Purchaser does not agree with the valuation as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Purchaser shall be entitled to have the valuation determined by an independent appraiser to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Purchaser and whose fees shall be borne equally by the Company and the Purchaser.
(c) Assignment. The right of the Company to purchase any part of the Shares may be assigned in whole or in part to any shareholder or shareholders of the Company or other persons or organizations.
(d) Restrictions Binding on Transferees. All transferees of Shares or any interest therein will receive and hold such Shares or interest subject to the provisions of this Agreement. Any sale or transfer of the Shares shall be void unless the provisions of this Agreement are satisfied.
(e) Termination of Rights. The Right of First Refusal and the Company’s right to repurchase the Shares in the event of an involuntary transfer pursuant to Section 3(b) above shall terminate upon the listing of Common Stock of the Company on a national exchange.
(f) Market Standoff Agreement. In connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s securities and upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing such underwritten offering of the Company’s securities, Purchaser agrees not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company (other than those included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, for such period of time (not to exceed 180 days) from the effective date of such registration as may be requested by the Company or such managing underwriters and to execute an agreement reflecting the foregoing as may be requested by the underwriters at the time of the Company’s initial public offering.
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4. Investment and Taxation Representations. In connection with the purchase of the Shares, Purchaser represents to the Company the following:
(a) Purchaser is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Shares. Purchaser is purchasing the Shares for investment for his or her own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.
(b) Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Purchaser’s investment intent as expressed herein.
(c) Purchaser understands that the Shares are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, Purchaser must hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares for resale. Purchaser further acknowledges that if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchaser’s control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.
(d) Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted any tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.
5.Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.
(a) Legends. The certificate or certificates representing the Shares shall bear the following legends (as well as any legends required by applicable state and federal corporate and securities laws):
(i) THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH SALE OR DISTRIBUTION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
(ii) THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
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(b) Stop-Transfer Notices. Purchaser agrees that, in order to ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations to the same effect in its own records.
(c) Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.
(d) Removal of Legend. When all of the following events have occurred, the Shares then held by Purchaser will no longer be subject to the legend referred to in Section 5(a)(ii): (i) the termination of the Right of First Refusal; and (ii) the expiration or termination of the market standoff provisions of Section 3(f) (and of any agreement entered pursuant to Section 3(f)). After such time, and upon Purchaser’s request, a new certificate or certificates representing the Shares not repurchased shall be issued without the legend referred to in Section 5(a)(ii), and delivered to Purchaser.
6. No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, to terminate Purchaser’s employment or consulting relationship, for any reason, with or without cause.
7.Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
(b) Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions between them. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.
(c) Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
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(d) Construction. This Agreement is the result of negotiations between and has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and their respective counsel, if any; accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of all of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against any one of the parties hereto.
(e) Notices. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or sent by telegram or fax or 48 hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address as set forth below or as subsequently modified by written notice.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
(g) Successors and Assigns. The rights and benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Purchaser under this Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Company.
(h) Georgia Corporate Securities Law. THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, OR ANY OTHER STATE, AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO THE QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON THE QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
(i) California Corporate Securities Law. THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, OR ANY OTHER STATE, AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITIES OR THE PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO THE QUALIFICATION IS UNLAWFUL, UNLESS THE SALE OF SECURITIES IS EXEMPT FROM QUALIFICATION. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON THE QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED, UNLESS THE SALE IS SO EXEMPT.
[Signature Page Follows]
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The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
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| | COMPANY: |
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| | AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. |
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| | By: | | | | |
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| | Name: | | | | |
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| | Title: | | | | |
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| | | | Address: | | 2029 Century Park East, Suite 1130 |
| | | | | | Los Angeles, CA 90067 |
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| | PURCHASER: |
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| | Signature |
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| | Print Name |
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| | Address |
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| | Address |
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RECEIPT
Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby acknowledges receipt of (check as applicable):
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| | A check in the amount of $ |
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| | The cancellation of indebtedness in the amount of $ |
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| | shares of (or cancellation of the right to exercise) the Company’s Common Stock with a fair market value of $ |
given by as consideration for Certificate No. for shares of Common Stock of the Company.
Dated:
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| AURIGA LABORATORIES, INC. | |
| By: | | |
| | Name: | | |
| | Title: | | |
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Exhibit 99.1
Auriga Laboratories Appoints Elliot M. Maza To Its Board of Directors
LOS ANGELES—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Auriga Laboratories, Inc. (OTCBB:ARGA), a specialty pharmaceutical company with products for the treatment of Xerostomia, dermatological conditions, and acute respiratory diseases, announced today that it has appointed Elliot M. Maza to its Board of Directors. Mr. Maza is a licensed C.P.A. and attorney and has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and drug development industries. He was also appointed Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee, replacing Brian Alleman who has resigned to pursue other opportunities. There was no dispute between Mr. Alleman and Auriga Laboratories.
Mr. Maza is currently President and Chief Financial Officer for Intellect Neurosciences, Inc., a New York-based biotechnology company. Prior to joining Intellect, Mr. Maza was Chief Financial Officer of Emisphere Technologies (NASDAQ: EMIS), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in oral drug delivery. Previously, he was a partner at Ernst and Young LLP and a Vice President at Goldman Sachs, Inc. and JP Morgan Securities, Inc. Mr. Maza also practiced law at Sullivan and Cromwell, a leading New York law firm. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and is Chairman of the Audit Committee of Tapestry Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: TPPH), a biotechnology company focused on developing proprietary therapies for the treatment of cancer.
“I am pleased that we were able to attract such an experienced executive to serve on our Board of Directors and Chair our Audit Committee,” said Philip S. Pesin, Auriga’s CEO. “Elliot has extensive legal, financial and public company expertise, and we believe that his experience working with national-market listed companies in senior financial roles well qualifies him to serve as the Board’s Financial Expert.”
Mr. Maza received his J.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Touro College.
About Auriga Laboratories™
Auriga Laboratories is a specialty pharmaceutical company building an industry changing commission based-sales model. The company’s high-growth business model combines driving revenues through a variable cost commission-based sales structure, acquisition of proven brand names, introduction of new brands, and a strategic development pipeline, all of which is designed to enhance its growing direct relationships with physicians nationwide. Auriga’s exclusive prescription and over-the-counter product portfolio includes Aquoral™ for the treatment of Xerostomia, Akurza™ and Xyralid™ dermatology products, and the Zinx™, Extendryl®, and Levall® families of products for relief of symptoms associated with a range of acute respiratory diseases. For more information, visit:www.aurigalabs.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to the company’s future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause its actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the company’s control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the company’s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to its operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. The company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, those factors that are disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in documents filed by the company from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. Statements regarding the company’s ability to increase its sales force and the success of such sales force in selling its products in light of competitive and other factors, the regulatory status and/or regulatory compliance of its products, the company’s ability to secure additional financing, its ability to sustain market acceptance for its products, its dependence on collaborators, the company’s ability to find and execute strategic transactions, its potential exposure to litigation, the company’s exposure to product liability claims, and the company’s prices, future revenues and income and cash flows and other statements that are not historical facts contain predictions, estimates and other forward-looking statements. Although the company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its goals will be achieved and these statements will prove to be accurate. Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Auriga Laboratories, Inc.
Philip S. Pesin, 310-461-3606
Fax: 310-564-1991
ppesin@aurigalabs.com
or
CEOcast, Inc.
Andrew Hellman, 212-732-4300
Adhellman@ceocast.com