Exhibit 4.4
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MAY 2001
STOCK OPTION PURCHASE PLAN OF SANOFI-SYNTHELABO
RULES OF THE 1 ST PLAN
VOIDS THE FORMER VERSION MAILED TO THE BENEFICIARIES IN JUNE, 2000
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1. Participants
2. Duration of the Plan
3. Stock Option Exercise
4. SALE OF SHARES
5. SHARE RIGHTS
6. OPTION PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Free Translation of French version
May 2001
The Board of Directors of SANOFI-SYNTHELABO was authorized by a General Meeting
of its Shareholders held on May 18th 1999, according to Articles L.225-177 to
L.225-185 of the French Commercial Code to set up a stock option purchase plan
for the whole of the SANOFI-SYNTHELABO group. By SANOFI-SYNTHELABO group we mean
all companies or groupings of economic interest defined by Article L.225-180 of
the aforementioned code.
Following the proposal of its Chairman, the Board of Directors had laid down the
rules of the stock option purchase plan with effect from May 24, 2000.
At the time, there was some uncertainty on the tax and labour regime applicable
to this plan due to a reform on the tax regime applicable to stock-options
pending in Parliament. For this reason, the Board of Directors had decided on
May 24, 2000, that it might change these rules at a future meeting in order to
adapt them if necessary to the provisions which would be enacted.
As the law was voted by Parliament on May 2, 2001, the Board finally amended the
said rules at his meeting of May 10, 2001. This text annuls and voids the
version adopted by the Board at its meeting of May 24, 2000.
1. PARTICIPANTS
Upon the recommendation of the Chairman of SANOFI-SYNTHELABO acting upon
the advice of the Remuneration Comittee, the grant of options to purchase
shares of SANOFI-SYNTHELABO to a list of identified employees and the
number of options granted to each such employee is approved by the Board
of Directors.
The rights granted are not transferable unless the options are exercised.
2. DURATION OF THE PLAN
SANOFI-SYNTHELABO's Stock Option Plan number 1 has a duration of ten years
from the date of the approval of the Board of Directors on May 24, 2000.
It will expire on May 24, 2010.
3. STOCK OPTION EXERCISE
The exercise of the options, also called "exercise of the options to
acquire shares" is not allowed during the first four years following the
Board of Directors' approval on May 24, 2000.
The options can be exercised at any time between May 25, 2004 and May 24,
2010 inclusive. (To sell the shares see Item 4 below).
Option rights cannot be exercised in case of resignation, unless otherwise
decided by the General Management of the Company in exceptional cases.
Revocation of option rights takes effect on the day of notice of
resignation.
Options rights cannot be exercised either in case of dismissal for serious
reasons. Revocation of option rights takes effect on the day of notice of
dismissal.
The Company reserves the right to temporarily suspend the exercise of the
options, in particular when there are certain changes in the capital
structure of SANOFI-SYNTHELABO.
Exceptions :
3.1 If an employee retires or takes early retirement during the option
period, at normal retirement age or earlier with the agreement of
the Company, the participant keeps his/her option rights until
their expiration, that is May 24, 2010.
3.2 Notwithstanding the four-year period mentioned under Article 3,
Paragraph 1, if an employee becomes disabled during the option
period, and such disability meets the conditions of the second and
third categories as defined by Article L.341-1 of the French Social
Security Code, the participant may exercise his options. The
participant keeps his/her option rights until their expiration,
that is May 24, 2010.
3.3 Notwithstanding the four-year period mentioned under Article 3,
Paragraph 1, if an employee dies during the option period, his/her
heirs can exercise the options during the six month period
following the date of death.
4. SALE OF SHARES
The sale of the shares through the exercise of the options is possible
from May 25, 2004 on.
However, any participant mentioned under article 3.2 or the heirs of a
participant who has died mentioned under article 3.3 above are able to
sell the corresponding shares without waiting for the end of the four year
holding period.
For purely information purposes(1), participants who are tax resident in
France are advised that on the basis of tax rules that will apply to the
current option plan, the tax charge on the benefit arising from the
exercise of the option and which is equal to the difference between the
stock exchange price on the day of the exercise of the option and the
exercise price, may vary according to the following two factors:
- whether or not the shares arising from the exercise of the option have
been kept for at least two years after May 24, 2004
- whether the benefit exceeds, or is less than, 1 million French Francs
The attached schedule summarises the tax structure. This will be explained
in greater detail in an information note to be sent to participants by the
bank.
1 Each participant should seek advice on the tax regime governing the exercise
of options or the sale of the shares which is applicable to him.
5. SHARE RIGHTS
Shares acquired as a result of the exercise of the stock-options will be
entitled to the same rights and will be treated in the same manner as the
Company's ordinary shares. Holders of stock-options who exercise such
options between January 1 and the date upon which the dividend is declared
for the prior fiscal year will be entitled to receive the dividend paid on
the shares in respect of the prior fiscal year.
6. OPTION PRICE ADJUSTMENT
In the case of a new issuance of securities to be subscribed only by
existing shareholders, or in the case of any other capital transaction
which effects the situation of existing shareholders, the exercise price
and the number of shares to which an option gives right will be adjusted
in order to take into account such issuance or other capital transaction.
If such a situation is covered by existing law or regulation, such law or
regulation shall be applied.
If such a situation is not covered by existing law or regulation (i.e., an
issuance of securities without preferential subscription rights other than
convertible or exchangeable bonds, a reduction of capital for reasons
other than to cover losses), the General Meeting of Shareholders or the
Board of Directors when deciding to conduct such securities issuance or
other capital transaction will adopt any measures necessary to protect the
rights of the holders of the stock-options, using by analogy the rules and
regulations which would govern similar cases.
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SCHEDULE
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Sale (or conversion to bearer form) Sale
(or conversion to bearer form) after May
24, 2004 if shares held less after May
24, 2004 if shares held more than 2
years thereafter than 2 years thereafter
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Benefit arising from the exercise of
the option less than or equal to 1 Subject to income tax as capital gain Subject to income tax as capital gain
million F on securities (1) at rate of 30%(2) on securities (1) at rate of 16% (2)
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Benefit arising from the exercise Subject to income tax as capital Subject to income tax as capital
the option exceeding 1 million F gain on securities (1) at rate of gain on securities (1) at rate of
- 30%(2) for the amount up to 1 - 16%(2) for the amount up to 1
million F per year million F per year
- 40%(2) for the rest - 30%(2) for the rest
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Capital gain on sale Subject to income tax as capital gain on securities at rate
of 16% (2) (except where the annual amount of sales of securities is below
the exempt ceiling)
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(1) Except if one opts for the regime governing wages.
(2) One should add to these rates social contributions ("CSG" + "CRDS" + social
deduction of 2%). The effective tax rates corresponding to the rates of 16%, 30%
and 40%, become respectively 26%, 40% and 50%.