For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF RELEASE
To: | | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 777 Old Saw Mill River Road Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707 Attention: [General Counsel] |
1. Termination.(a) I hereby acknowledge that my employment with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") [will terminate] [has terminated] on, (the "Termination Date") pursuant to provisions of paragraphs 8 of my employment agreement dated as of December 20, 2002 with the Company (the "Employment Agreement"), that the Company will not have an obligation to rehire me or to consider me for reemployment after the Termination Date and that my employment with the Company is permanently and irrevocably severed.
(b) I hereby confirm my resignation from my position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and that I will not be eligible for any benefits or compensation after the Termination Date, other than as specifically provided hereunder and in paragraphs 3 and 8 of the Employment Agreement [or in any capacity as a director of the Company]. In addition, effective as of the Termination Date, I hereby resign from all offices, directorships, trusteeships, committee memberships and fiduciary capacities held with, or on behalf of, the Company or any of its affiliates or any benefit plans of the Company or any of its affiliates [other than as a director]. These resignations will become irrevocable on the Effective Date of this Agreement, as defined in Section 6 below.
2.Consideration. I acknowledge that this General Release is being executed in accordance with paragraph 8(g) of the Employment Agreement.
3.General Release.(a) For and in consideration of the payments to be made and the promises set forth under the Employment Agreement, I, for myself and for my heirs, dependents, executors, administrators, trustees, legal representatives and assigns (collectively referred to as "Releasors"), hereby forever release, waive and discharge the Company, its affiliates, employee benefit and/or pension plans or funds, insurers, successors and assigns, and all of its or their past, present and/or future directors, officers, trustees, agents, members, partners, counsel, employees, fiduciaries, administrators, representatives, successors and assigns, whether acting on behalf of the Company or its affiliates or in their individual capacities (collectively referred to as "Releasees"), from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, fees and liabilities of any kind whatsoever, whether known or unknown, which Releasors ever had, now have, or hereafter may claim to have against Releasees by reason of any actual or alleged act, omission, transaction, practice, policy, procedure, conduct, occurrence, or other matter up to and including the date of my execution of this General Release, in connection with, or in any way related to or arising out of, my employment, service as a director, service as a trustee, service as a fiduciary or termination of any of the foregoing with the Company.
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(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this General Release is intended and shall release the Releasees from any and all claims, whether known or unknown, which Releasors ever had, now have, or may hereafter claim to have against the Releasees including, but not limited to, (i) any claim of discrimination or retaliation under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA"), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or the Family and Medical Leave Act; (ii) any claim under the New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Administrative Code; (iii) any other claim (whether based on federal, state or local law, statutory or decisional) relating to or arising out of my employment, the terms and conditions of such employment, the termination of such employment and/or any of the events relating directly or indirectly to or surrounding the termination of such employment, including, but not limited, breach of contract (express or implied), wrongful discharge, tortious interference, detrimental reliance, defamation, emotional distress or compensatory or punitive damages; and (iv) any claim for attorney's fees, costs, disbursements and the like.
(c) I further acknowledge and agree that by virtue of the foregoing, I have waived all relief available to me (including without limitation, monetary damages, equitable relief and reinstatement) under any of the claims and/or causes of action waived in Sections 3(a) and (b) above. Therefore I agree that I will not seek or accept any award or settlement from any source or proceeding (including, but not limited to, any proceeding brought by any other person or by any government agency) with respect to any claim or right waived in this General Release. I further agree, to the maximum extent permitted by law, that I will not sue or commence any proceeding (judicial or administrative), or participate in any action, suit or proceeding (unless compelled by legal process or court order), against the Company (or any of its affiliates), with respect to any claim released by Sections 3(a) and (b) above, other than a claim contesting the validity of the release under applicable provisions of the ADEA. I also warrant and represent that as of the date I sign this Agreement, I have not taken or engaged in any of the acts described in the foregoing sentences. I understand that this release has neither the purpose nor intent of interfering with my protected right to file a charge with or participate in an investigation or proceeding pursuant to the statutes administered and enforced by the EEOC, specifically: the ADEA, the Equal Pay Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the ADA. I understand that I will not breach this release if I file a charge with or participate in an investigation or proceeding pursuant to the statutes administered and enforced by the EEOC. However, by signing this release, I understand that I waive any right I may have to recover money or other relief in any lawsuit or proceeding brought by me or by an agency or third party, including the EEOC, on my behalf. If, notwithstanding the foregoing promises and understandings, I violate this Section 3(c), I shall be required, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company (and its affiliates) from and against any and all demands, assessments, judgments, costs, damages, losses and liabilities, and attorneys' fees and other expenses which result from, or are incident to, such violation.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the sole matters to which the release and covenants in this Section 3 do not apply are: (i) my rights of indemnification and directors and officers liability insurance coverage which I was entitled immediately prior to the Termination Date under the Company's By-laws or otherwise with regard to my service as an officer and director of the Company (including, without limitation, under paragraph 14(c) of the Employment Agreement); (ii) my rights under any tax-qualified pension or tax deferred annuity plan or claims for accrued vested benefits under any other employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained by the Company or under COBRA; (iii) my rights under the provisions of the Employment Agreement which are intended to survive termination of employment (including claims to payments, benefits or entitlements specifically payable or provided under the Employment Agreement); or (iv) my rights as a stockholder or as a director of the Company.
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4.Governing Law; Enforceability. The interpretation of this General Release will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to that state's principles of conflicts of law. If, at any time after the execution of this General Release, any provision of this General Release will be held to be illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, solely such provision will be of no force or effect.
5.Acknowledgement. I acknowledge that I have been advised by the Company in writing to consult, and I have consulted, independent legal counsel of my choice before signing this General Release. I further acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to consult independent legal counsel and to consider the terms of this General Release for a period of at least 21 days. I further acknowledge that I have carefully read this General Release in its entirety; that I have had an adequate opportunity to consider it and to consult with any advisors of my choice about it; that I have consulted with independent legal counsel of my choice who has answered to my satisfaction all questions I had regarding this General Release; that I understand all the terms of this General Release and their significance; that I am legally competent to execute this Agreement; that I have not relied on any statements or explanations made by the Company, any agent of the Company or its counsel; that I knowingly and voluntarily assent to all the terms and conditions contained herein; and that I am signing this General Release voluntarily and of my own free will.
6. Effective Date. I further acknowledge that this General Release will not become effective until the eighth day following my execution of this General Release (the "Effective Date"), and that I may at any time prior to the Effective Date revoke this General Release by delivering written notice of revocation to the Company, at 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591-6707, to the attention of the [General Counsel]. In the event that I revoke this General Release prior to the eighth day after its execution, this General Release will automatically be null and void.
7.Survival. The provisions in the Employment Agreement which are intended to survive termination of employment hall survive and continue in full force and effect.
Acknowledged and Agreed:
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
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EXHIBIT C
GOLDEN PARACHUTE PROVISION
(a) (i) In the event that you shall become entitled to payments and/or benefits provided by this Agreement or any other amounts in the "nature of compensation" (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with the Company, any person whose actions result in a change of ownership or effective control covered by Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code or any person affiliated with the Company or such person) as a result of such change in ownership or effective control (collectively the "Company Payments"), and such Company Payments will be subject to the tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (and any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed by any taxing authority) the Company shall pay to you at the time specified in subsection (d) below (x) an additional amount (the "Gross-up Payment") such that the net amount retained by you, after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Company Payments and any U.S. federal, state, and for local income or payroll tax upon the Gross-up Payment provided for by this paragraph (a), but before deduction for any U.S. federal, state, and local income or payroll tax on the Company Payments, shall be equal to the Company Payments and (y) an amount equal to the product of any deductions disallowed for federal, state or local income tax purposes because of the inclusion of the Gross-Up Payment in your adjusted gross income multiplied byyour actual applicable marginal rate of federal, state or local income taxation, respectively, for the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it shall be determined that you are entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that if the Company Payments (other than that portion valued under Q&A 24(c) of the proposed regulations under Section 280G of the Code(the "Stock Vesting Value")) (the "Cash Payments") are reduced by the amount necessary such that the receipt of the Company Payments would not give rise to any Excise Tax (the "Reduced Payment") and the Reduced Payment (other than the Stock Vesting Value) would not be less than 90% of the Cash Payment, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to you and the Cash Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced Payments (other than the Stock Vesting Value). If the Reduced Payments is to be effective, payments shall be reduced as mutually agreed between the Company and you or, in the event the parties cannot agree, in the following order (1) any lump sum severance based on a multiple of Base Salary or annual bonus, (2) any other cash amounts payable to you and (3) any benefits valued as parachute payments.
(iii) In the event that the Internal Revenue Service or court ultimately makes a determination that the excess parachute payments plus the base amount is an amount other than as determined initially, an appropriate adjustment shall be made with regard to the Gross-Up Payment or Reduced Payment, as applicable to reflect the final determination and the resulting impact on whether (ii) applies.
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(b) For purposes of determining whether any of the Company Payments and Gross-up Payments (collectively the "Total Payments") will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax, (x) the Total Payments shall be treated as "parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all "parachute payments" in excess of the "base amount" (as defined under Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless and except to the extent that, in the opinion, delivered to the Company and you at a level of more likely than not, of the Company's independent certified public accountants appointed prior to any change in ownership (as defined under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) or tax counsel selected by such accountants (the "Accountants") such Total Payments (in whole or in part) either do not constitute "parachute payments," represent reasonable compensation for services actually rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code in excess of the "base amount" or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, and (y) the value of any non-cash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Accountants in accordance with the principles of Section 280G of the Code. In the event that the Accountants are serving (or decline to serve) as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, you may appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm or law firm to make the determinations hereunder (which accounting firm or law firm shall then be referred to as the "Accountants" hereunder). All determinations hereunder shall be made by the Accountants which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and you at such time as it is requested by the Company or you. If the Accountants determine that payments under this Agreement must be reduced pursuant to this paragraph, they shall furnish you with a written opinion to such effect. The determination of the Accountants shall be final and binding upon the Company and you, subject to the other provisions herein.
(c) For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-up Payment, you shall be deemed to pay U.S. federal income taxes atactual rate of U.S. federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the rate of taxation in the state and locality of your residence for the calendar year in which the Company Payment is to be made, net of the reduction in U.S. federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes if paid in such year. In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently determined by the Accountants to be less than the amount taken into account hereunder at the time the Gross-up Payment is made, you shall repay to the Company, at the time that the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the prior Gross-up Payment attributable to such reduction (plus the portion of the Gross-up Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and U.S. federal, state and local income tax imposed on the portion of the Gross-up Payment being repaid by you if such repayment results in a reduction in Excise Tax or a U.S. federal, state and local income tax deduction), plus interest on the amount of such repayment at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any portion of the Gross-up Payment to be refunded to the Company has been paid to any U.S. federal, state and local tax authority, repayment thereof (and related amounts) shall not be required until actual refund or credit of such portion has been made to you, and interest payable to the Company shall not exceed the interest received or credited to you by such tax authority for the period it held such portion. Furthermore, to the extent the foregoing provision shall be deemed to create a loan of a personal nature in violation of Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the provision for repayment shall be null and void. You and the Company shall mutually agree upon the course of action to be pursued (and the method of allocating the expense thereof) if your claim for refund or credit is denied.
In the event that the Excise Tax is later determined by the Accountant or the Internal Revenue Service to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the time the Gross-up 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 make an additional Gross-up Payment in respect of such excess (plus any interest or penalties payable with respect to such excess) at the time that the amount of such excess is finally determined.
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(d) The Gross-up Payment or portion thereof provided for in subsection (c) above shall be paid not later than the thirtieth (30th) day following an event occurring which subjects you to the Excise Tax; provided, however, that if the amount of such Gross-up Payment or portion thereof cannot be finally determined on or before such day, the Company shall pay to you on such day an estimate, as determined in good faith by the Accountant, of the minimum amount of such payments and shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code), subject to further payments pursuant to subsection (c) hereof, as soon as the amount thereof can reasonably be determined, but in no event later than the ninetieth day after the occurrence of the event subjecting you to the Excise Tax. In the event that the amount of the estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to you, payable on the fifth day after demand by the Company (together with interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code), provided that, to the extent the foregoing provision shall be deemed to create a loan of a personal nature in violation of Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the provision for repayment shall be null and void.
(e) In the event of any controversy with the Internal Revenue Service (or other taxing authority) with regard to the Excise Tax, you shall permit the Company to control issues related to the Excise Tax (at its expense), provided that such issues do not potentially materially adversely affect you, but you shall control any other issues. In the event the issues are interrelated, you and the Company shall in good faith cooperate so as not to jeopardize resolution of either issue, but if the parties cannot agree you shall make the final determination with regard to the issues. In the event of any conference with any taxing authority as to the Excise Tax or associated income taxes, you shall permit the representative of the Company to accompany you, and you and your representative shall cooperate with the Company and its representative.
(f) The Company shall be responsible for all charges of the Accountant.
(g) The Company and you shall promptly deliver to each other copies of any written communications, and summaries of any verbal communications, with any taxing authority regarding the Excise Tax covered by this Exhibit C.
(h) Any Gross-Up Payments hereunder shall be paid in the time and manner set forth in Section 14(o)(i) and (ii) of the Agreement.
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