EXHIBIT 10.1
SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
2004 STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN.
1.1 ESTABLISHMENT. The SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2004 Stock
Option Plan (the "PLAN") is established effective as of May 26 2004, the date on
which it is approved by the stockholders of the Company (the "EFFECTIVE DATE").
1.2 PURPOSE. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of
the Participating Company Group and its stockholders by providing an incentive
to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Participating
Company Group and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and
profitability of the Participating Company Group.
1.3 TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall continue in effect until the
earlier of its termination by the Board or the date on which all of the shares
of Stock available for issuance under the Plan have been issued and all
restrictions on such shares under the terms of the Plan and the agreements
evidencing Options granted under the Plan have lapsed. However, all Options
shall be granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the Effective Date.
2. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
2.1 DEFINITIONS. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall
have their respective meanings set forth below:
(a) "AFFILIATE" means (i) an entity, other than a Parent
Corporation, that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediary
entities, controls the Company or (ii) an entity, other than a Subsidiary
Corporation, that is controlled by the Company directly, or indirectly through
one or more intermediary entities. For this purpose, the term "control"
(including the term "controlled by") means the possession, direct or indirect,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
the relevant entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise; or shall have such other meaning assigned such term for
the purposes of registration on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
(b) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company. If
one or more Committees have been appointed by the Board to administer the Plan,
"BOARD" also means such Committee(s).
(c) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.
(d) "COMMITTEE" means the compensation committee or other
committee of the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such
powers as shall be specified by the Board. Unless the powers of the Committee
have been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the powers of
the Board granted herein, including, without
limitation, the power to amend or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the
terms of the Plan and any applicable limitations imposed by law.
(e) "COMPANY" means SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.
(f) "CONSULTANT" means a person engaged to provide consulting
or advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to a
Participating Company, provided that the identity of such person, the nature of
such services or the entity to which such services are provided would not
preclude the Company from offering or selling securities to such person pursuant
to the Plan in reliance on registration on a Form S-8 Registration Statement
under the Securities Act.
(g) "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board or of the board of
directors of any other Participating Company.
(h) "DISABILITY" means the permanent and total disability of
the Optionee within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(i) "EMPLOYEE" means any person treated as an employee
(including an Officer or a Director who is also treated as an employee) in the
records of a Participating Company and, with respect to any Incentive Stock
Option granted to such person, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of
the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a
director's fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the
Plan. The Company shall determine in good faith and in the exercise of its
discretion whether an individual has become or has ceased to be an Employee and
the effective date of such individual's employment or termination of employment,
as the case may be. For purposes of an individual's rights, if any, under the
Plan as of the time of the Company's determination, all such determinations by
the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive, notwithstanding that the
Company or any court of law or governmental agency subsequently makes a contrary
determination.
(j) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
(k) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of a
share of Stock or other property as determined by the Board, in its discretion,
or by the Company, in its discretion, if such determination is expressly
allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:
(i) If, on such date, the Stock is listed on a national
or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a
share of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock (or the mean of
the closing bid and asked prices of a share of Stock if the Stock is so quoted
instead) as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, The Nasdaq SmallCap Market or
such other national or regional securities exchange or market system
constituting the primary market for the Stock, as reported in The Wall Street
Journal or such other source as the Company deems reliable. If the relevant date
does not fall on a day on which the Stock has traded on such securities exchange
or market system, the date on which the Fair Market Value shall be established
shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded prior to
the relevant date, or such other appropriate day as shall be determined by the
Board, in its discretion.
(ii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed on a
national or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value
of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the Board in good faith without
regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will
never lapse.
(l) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to be
(as set forth in the Option Agreement) and which qualifies as an incentive stock
option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.
(m) "INSIDER" means an Officer, a Director of the Company or
other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act.
(n) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended
to be (as set forth in the Option Agreement) or which does not qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option.
(o) "OFFICER" means any person designated by the Board as an
officer of the Company.
(p) "OPTION" means a right to purchase Stock pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the Plan. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock
Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
(q) "OPTION AGREEMENT" means a written agreement between the
Company and an Optionee setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of
the Option granted to the Optionee and any shares acquired upon the exercise
thereof. An Option Agreement may consist of a form of "Notice of Grant of Stock
Option" and a form of "Stock Option Agreement" incorporated therein by
reference, or such other form or forms as the Board may approve from time to
time.
(r) "OPTIONEE" means a person who has been granted one or more
Options.
(s) "PARENT CORPORATION" means any present or future "parent
corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(t) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY" means the Company or any Parent
Corporation, Subsidiary Corporation or Affiliate.
(u) "PARTICIPATING COMPANY GROUP" means, at any point in time,
all corporations collectively which are then Participating Companies.
(v) "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as
amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.
(w) "SECTION 162(m)" means Section 162(m) of the Code.
(x) "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(y) "SERVICE" means an Optionee's employment or service with
the Participating Company Group, whether in the capacity of an Employee, a
Director or a Consultant. An Optionee's Service shall not be deemed to have
terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Optionee
renders Service to the Participating Company Group or a change in the
Participating Company for which the Optionee renders such Service, provided that
there is no interruption or termination of the Optionee's Service. Furthermore,
an Optionee's Service shall not be deemed to have terminated if the Optionee
takes any military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence
approved by the Company; provided, however, that if any such leave exceeds
ninety (90) days, on the one hundred eighty-first (181st) day following the
commencement of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall
cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and instead shall be treated
thereafter as a Nonstatutory Stock Option unless the Optionee's right to return
to Service is guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
unless otherwise designated by the Company or required by law, a leave of
absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining vesting
under the Optionee's Option Agreement. An Optionee's Service shall be deemed to
have terminated either upon an actual termination of Service or upon the
corporation for which the Optionee performs Service ceasing to be a
Participating Company. Subject to the foregoing, the Company, in its discretion,
shall determine whether an Optionee's Service has terminated and the effective
date of such termination.
(z) "STOCK" means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted
from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2.
(aa) "SUBSIDIARY CORPORATION" means any present or future
"subsidiary corporation" of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the
Code.
(bb) "TEN PERCENT STOCKHOLDER" means a person who, at the time
an Option is granted to such person, owns stock possessing more than ten percent
(10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a
Participating Company within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.
2.2 CONSTRUCTION. Captions and titles contained herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any
provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use
of the term "or" is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly
requires otherwise.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
3.1 ADMINISTRATION BY THE BOARD. The Plan shall be administered by
the Board. All questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Option shall be
determined by the Board, and such determinations shall be final and binding upon
all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Option.
3.2 AUTHORITY OF OFFICERS. Any Officer shall have the authority to
act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation,
determination or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated
to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect
to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election. The Board may, in
its discretion, delegate to a committee comprised of one or more Officers the
authority to grant one or more Options, without further approval of the Board or
the Committee, to any person eligible pursuant to Section 5, other than a person
who, at the time of such grant, is an Insider; provided, however, that (i) such
Options shall not be granted for shares in excess of the maximum aggregate
number of shares of Stock authorized for issuance pursuant to Section 4.1, (ii)
the exercise price per share of each Option shall be not less than the Fair
Market Value per share of the Stock on the effective date of grant (or, if the
Stock has not traded on such date, on the last day preceding the effective date
of grant on which the Stock was traded), and (iii) each such Option shall be
subject to the terms and conditions of the appropriate standard form of Stock
Option Agreement approved by the Board or the Committee and shall conform to the
provisions of the Plan and such other guidelines as shall be established from
time to time by the Board or the Committee.
3.3 POWERS OF THE BOARD. In addition to any other powers set forth
in the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have the
full and final power and authority, in its discretion:
(a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at
which, Options shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock to be subject
to each Option;
(b) to designate Options as Incentive Stock Options or
Nonstatutory Stock Options;
(c) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or
other property;
(d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions
applicable to each Option (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired
upon the exercise thereof, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise price
of the Option, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased upon the exercise
of the Option, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding
obligation arising in connection with the Option or such shares, including by
the withholding or delivery of shares of stock, (iv) the timing, terms and
conditions of the exercisability of the Option or the vesting of any shares
acquired upon the exercise thereof, (v) the time of the expiration of the
Option, (vi) the effect of the Optionee's termination of Service on any of the
foregoing, and (vii) all other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to
the Option or such shares not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;
(e) to approve one or more forms of Option Agreement;
(f) to amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any Option or to
waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Option or any shares
acquired upon the exercise thereof;
(g) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the
exercisability of any Option or the vesting of any shares acquired upon the
exercise thereof, including with respect to the period following an Optionee's
termination of Service with the Participating Company Group;
(h) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and
policies relating to the Plan, or to adopt supplements to, or alternative
versions of, the Plan, including,
without limitation, as the Board deems necessary or desirable to comply with the
laws of, or to accommodate the tax policy or custom of, foreign jurisdictions
whose citizens may be granted Options; and
(i) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile
any inconsistency in the Plan or any Option Agreement and to make all other
determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any
Option as the Board may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan or applicable law.
3.4 ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO INSIDERS. With respect to
participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity
security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange
Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any,
of Rule 16b-3.
3.5 COMMITTEE COMPLYING WITH SECTION 162(m). If the Company is a
"publicly held corporation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code,
the Board may establish a Committee of "outside directors" within the meaning of
Section 162(m) to approve the grant of any Option which might reasonably be
anticipated to result in the payment of employee remuneration that would
otherwise exceed the limit on employee remuneration deductible for income tax
purposes pursuant to Section 162(m).
3.6 INDEMNIFICATION. In addition to such other rights of
indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or officers or
employees of the Participating Company Group, members of the Board and any
officers or employees of the Participating Company Group to whom authority to
act for the Board or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the
Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and
necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or
proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of
them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in
connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all
amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved
by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in
satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in
relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or
proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or
intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days
after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall
offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle
and defend the same.
4. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN.
4.1 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES ISSUABLE. Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 4.2, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that
may be issued under the Plan shall be two million five hundred thousand
(2,500,000). Shares issuable under the Plan shall consist of authorized but
unissued or reacquired shares of Stock or any combination thereof. If an
outstanding Option for any reason expires or is terminated or canceled without
having been exercised in full, the shares of Stock allocable to the unexercised
portion of such Option shall again be available for issuance under the Plan.
However, except as adjusted
pursuant to Section 4.2, in no event shall more than two million five hundred
thousand (2,500,000) shares of Stock be available for issuance pursuant to the
exercise of Incentive Stock Options (the "ISO SHARE ISSUANCE LIMIT"). Shares of
Stock shall not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to the Plan to the extent
such shares are withheld in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations pursuant
to Section 9.2. If the exercise price of an Option is paid by tender to the
Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the
Participant, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be
reduced by the gross number of shares for which the Option is exercised.
4.2 ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE. Subject to any
required action by the stockholders of the Company, in the event of any change
in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether
through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock
split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares,
or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of
payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a
form other than Stock (excepting normal cash dividends) that has a material
effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and
proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares
subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Options, in the ISO Share Issuance
Limit set forth in Section 4.1, in the Section 162(m) Grant Limit set forth in
Section 5.4 and in the exercise price per share of any outstanding Options in
order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Optionees' rights under the Plan.
For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the
Company shall not be treated as "effected without receipt of consideration by
the Company." Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this
Section 4.2 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and in no event
may the exercise price of any Option be decreased to an amount less than the par
value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. Such adjustments shall be
determined by the Board, and its determination shall be final, binding and
conclusive.
5. ELIGIBILITY AND OPTION LIMITATIONS.
5.1 PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR OPTIONS. Options may be granted only to
Employees, Consultants and Directors. For purposes of the foregoing sentence,
"Employees," "Consultants"and "Directors" shall include prospective Employees,
prospective Consultants and prospective Directors to whom Options are granted in
connection with written offers of an employment or other service relationship
with the Participating Company Group; provided, however, that no Stock subject
to any such Option shall vest, become exercisable or be issued prior to the date
on which such person commences Service.
5.2 PARTICIPATION. Options are granted solely at the discretion of
the Board. Eligible persons may be granted more than one (1) Option. However,
eligibility in accordance with this Section shall not entitle any person to be
granted an Option, or, having been granted an Option, to be granted an
additional Option.
5.3 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION LIMITATIONS.
(a) PERSONS ELIGIBLE. An Incentive Stock Option may be granted
only to a person who, on the effective date of grant, is an Employee of the
Company, a Parent
Corporation or a Subsidiary Corporation (each being an "ISO-QUALIFYING
CORPORATION"). Any person who is not an Employee of an ISO-Qualifying
Corporation on the effective date of the grant of an Option to such person may
be granted only a Nonstatutory Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option granted
to a prospective Employee upon the condition that such person become an Employee
of an ISO-Qualifying Corporation shall be deemed granted effective on the date
such person commences Service with an ISO-Qualifying Corporation, with an
exercise price determined as of such date in accordance with Section 6.1.
(b) FAIR MARKET VALUE LIMITATION. To the extent that options
designated as Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock option plans of
the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) become exercisable by an
Optionee for the first time during any calendar year for stock having a Fair
Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portions
of such options which exceed such amount shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock
Options. For purposes of this Section 5.3(b), options designated as Incentive
Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were
granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time
the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to
provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 5.3(b),
such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of
the date and with respect to such Options as required or permitted by such
amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in
part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set
forth in this Section 5.3(b), the Optionee may designate which portion of such
Option the Optionee is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the
Optionee shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of
the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be
issued upon the exercise of the Option.
5.4 SECTION 162(m) GRANT LIMIT. Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 4.2, at any such time as the Company is a "publicly held corporation"
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, no Employee shall be granted
one or more Options within any fiscal year of the Company which in the aggregate
are for the purchase of more than one million two hundred fifty thousand
(1,250,000) shares (the "SECTION 162(m) GRANT LIMIT").
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
Options shall be evidenced by Option Agreements specifying the
number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Board shall from
time to time establish. No Option or purported Option shall be a valid and
binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by a fully executed Option
Agreement. Option Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan
by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
6.1 EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price for each Option shall be
established in the discretion of the Board; provided, however, that (a) the
exercise price per share for an Option shall be not less than the Fair Market
Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option and (b)
no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall have an
exercise price per share less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair
Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option (whether an Incentive Stock Option or a
Nonstatutory Stock Option) may be granted with
an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such
Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option
in a manner qualifying under the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.
6.2 EXERCISABILITY AND TERM OF OPTIONS. Options shall be exercisable
at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms,
conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the
Board and set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Option; provided,
however, that (a) no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the
expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such Option
and (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall be
exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years after the effective date of
grant of such Option. Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by
the Board in the grant of an Option, any Option granted hereunder shall
terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the Option, unless
earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.
6.3 PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE.
(a) FORMS OF CONSIDERATION AUTHORIZED. Except as otherwise
provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock
being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash, by check or
cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership,
of shares of Stock owned by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value not less
than the exercise price, (iii) by delivery of a properly executed notice
together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment
to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of
the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including, without
limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as
promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System) (a "CASHLESS EXERCISE"), (iv) by such other consideration as may be
approved by the Board from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable
law, or (v) by any combination thereof. The Board may at any time or from time
to time, by approval of or by amendment to the standard forms of Option
Agreement described in Section 7, or by other means, grant Options which do not
permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the
exercise price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.
(b) LIMITATIONS ON FORMS OF CONSIDERATION.
(i) TENDER OF STOCK. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the
ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would
constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement
restricting the redemption of the Company's stock. Unless otherwise provided by
the Board, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or
attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have
been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months (and not used for
another Option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired,
directly or indirectly, from the Company.
(ii) CASHLESS EXERCISE. The Company reserves, at any and
all times, the right, in the Company's sole and absolute discretion, to
establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the
exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise, including with respect to
one or more Optionees specified by the Company notwithstanding that such program
or procedures may be available to other Optionees.
6.4 EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.
(a) OPTION EXERCISABILITY. Subject to earlier termination of
the Option as otherwise provided herein and unless otherwise provided by the
Board in the grant of an Option and set forth in the Option Agreement, an Option
shall be exercisable after an Optionee's termination of Service only during the
applicable time period determined in accordance with this Section 6.4 and
thereafter shall terminate:
(i) DISABILITY. If the Optionee's Service terminates
because of the Disability of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised
and exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be
exercised by the Optionee (or the Optionee's guardian or legal representative)
at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer period
of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date on which
the Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the date of
expiration of the Option's term as set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing
such Option (the "OPTION EXPIRATION DATE").
(ii) DEATH. If the Optionee's Service terminates because
of the death of the Optionee, the Option, to the extent unexercised and
exercisable on the date on which the Optionee's Service terminated, may be
exercised by the Optionee's legal representative or other person who acquired
the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Optionee's death at any time
prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months (or such longer period of time as
determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date on which the
Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option
Expiration Date. The Optionee's Service shall be deemed to have terminated on
account of death if the Optionee dies within three (3) months (or such longer
period of time as determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the
Optionee's termination of Service.
(iii) OTHER TERMINATION OF SERVICE. If the Optionee's
Service terminates for any reason, other than Disability or death, the Option,
to the extent unexercised and exercisable by the Optionee on the date on which
the Optionee's Service terminated, may be exercised by the Optionee at any time
prior to the expiration of three (3) months (or such longer period of time as
determined by the Board, in its discretion) after the date on which the
Optionee's Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option
Expiration Date.
(b) EXTENSION IF EXERCISE PREVENTED BY LAW. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, other than termination of Service for Cause, if the exercise of
an Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 6.4(a) is
prevented by the provisions of Section 11 below, the Option shall remain
exercisable until thirty (30) days (or such longer period of time as determined
by the Board, in its discretion) after the date the Optionee is notified by the
Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no later than the
Option Expiration Date.
(c) EXTENSION IF OPTIONEE SUBJECT TO SECTION 16(b).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, other than termination of Service for Cause, if a
sale within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 6.4(a) of shares
acquired upon the exercise of the Option would subject the Optionee to suit
under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option shall remain exercisable
until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth (10th) day following the date on
which a sale of such shares by the Optionee would no longer be subject to such
suit, (ii) the one hundred
and ninetieth (190th) day after the Optionee's termination of Service, or (iii)
the Option Expiration Date.
6.5 TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. During the lifetime of the Optionee,
an Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee or the Optionee's guardian
or legal representative. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the
Optionee, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Board, in its
discretion, and set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Option, a
Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be assignable or transferable subject to the
applicable limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to Form
S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act.
7. STANDARD FORMS OF OPTION AGREEMENT.
7.1 OPTION AGREEMENT. Unless otherwise provided by the Board at the
time the Option is granted, an Option shall comply with and be subject to the
terms and conditions set forth in the appropriate form of Option Agreement
approved by the Board concurrently with its adoption of the Plan and as amended
from time to time.
7.2 AUTHORITY TO VARY TERMS. The Board shall have the authority from
time to time to vary the terms of any standard form of Option Agreement
described in this Section 7 either in connection with the grant or amendment of
an individual Option or in connection with the authorization of a new standard
form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new,
revised or amended standard form or forms of Option Agreement are not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.
8. CHANGE IN CONTROL.
8.1 DEFINITIONS.
(a) An "OWNERSHIP CHANGE EVENT" shall be deemed to have occurred if
any of the following occurs with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or
indirect sale or exchange in a single or series of related transactions by the
stockholders of the Company of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock
of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party;
(iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company; or (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(b) A "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall mean an Ownership Change Event or a
series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, a "TRANSACTION")
wherein the stockholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction do
not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company's voting stock
immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company or, in the case of a Transaction
described in Section 8.1(a)(iii), the corporation or other business entity to
which the assets of the Company were transferred (the "TRANSFEREE"), as the case
may be. For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership
shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the
voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which
own the Company or the Transferee, as the case may be, either directly or
through one or
more subsidiary corporations or other business entities. The Board shall have
the right to determine whether multiple sales or exchanges of the voting
securities of the Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related, and
its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
8.2 EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CONTROL ON OPTIONS.
(a) ACCELERATED VESTING. Notwithstanding any other provision
of the Plan to the contrary, the Board, in its sole discretion, may provide in
any Option Agreement or, in the event of a Change in Control, may take such
actions as it deems appropriate to provide for the acceleration of the
exercisability and vesting in connection with such Change in Control of any or
all outstanding Options and shares acquired upon the exercise of such Options.
(b) ASSUMPTION OR SUBSTITUTION OF OPTIONS. In the event of a
Change in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing
corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the
"ACQUIROR"), may, without the consent of any Optionee, either assume the
Company's rights and obligations under outstanding Options or substitute for
outstanding Options substantially equivalent options for the Acquiror's stock.
Any Options which are not assumed by the Acquiror in connection with the Change
in Control shall, to the extent not exercised as of the date of the Change in
Control, terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the date of the
Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the corporation the stock
of which is subject to the outstanding Options immediately prior to an Ownership
Change Event described in Section 8.1(a)(i) constituting a Change in Control is
the surviving or continuing corporation and immediately after such Ownership
Change Event less than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of
its voting stock is held by another corporation, the outstanding Options shall
not terminate unless the Board otherwise provides in its discretion. For the
purposes of this Section 8.2(b), an Option shall be considered assumed if, for
every share of Stock subject thereto immediately prior to the Change in Control,
the Optionee has the right, following the Change in Control, to acquire in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the assumed Option the consideration
(whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the Change in
Control transaction by holders of shares of Stock for each share held
immediately prior to such transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of
consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of Stock); provided, however, that if such consideration
received in the Change in Control transaction was not solely common stock of the
Acquiror, the Board may, with the consent of the Acquiror, provide for the
consideration to be acquired to be solely common stock of the Acquiror equal in
Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Stock in
the Change in Control transaction.
(c) CASH-OUT OF OPTIONS. The Board may, in its sole discretion
and without the consent of any Optionee, determine that, upon the occurrence of
a Change in Control, each or any Option outstanding immediately prior to the
Change in Control shall be canceled in exchange for a payment with respect to
each vested share of Stock subject to such canceled Option in (i) cash, (ii)
stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the
Change in Control, or (iii) other property which, in any such case, shall be in
an amount having a Fair Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the
consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control over the
exercise price per share under such Option (the "SPREAD"). In the event such
determination is made by the Board, the Spread
(reduced by applicable withholding taxes, if any) shall be paid to Optionees in
respect of their canceled Options as soon as practicable following the date of
the Change in Control.
9. TAX WITHHOLDING.
9.1 TAX WITHHOLDING IN GENERAL. The Company shall have the right to
deduct from any and all payments made under the Plan, or to require the
Optionee, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, including by
means of a Cashless Exercise of an Option, to make adequate provision for, the
federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by law to be withheld
by the Participating Company Group with respect to an Option or the shares
acquired pursuant thereto. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver
shares of Stock until the Participating Company Group's tax withholding
obligations have been satisfied by the Optionee.
9.2 WITHHOLDING IN SHARES. The Company shall have the right, but not
the obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable to an Optionee upon
the exercise of an Option, or to accept from the Optionee the tender of, a
number of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the
Company, equal to all or any part of the tax withholding obligations of the
Participating Company Group. The Fair Market Value of any shares of Stock
withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not
exceed the amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding
rates.
10. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW.
The grant of Options and the issuance of shares of Stock upon
exercise of Options shall be subject to compliance with all applicable
requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities.
Options may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise
would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign
securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock
exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition,
no Option may be exercised unless (a) a registration statement under the
Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with
respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (b) in the opinion
of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option
may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to
obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any,
deemed by the Company's legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and
sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in
respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite
authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of any
Option, the Company may require the Optionee to satisfy any qualifications that
may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law
or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as
may be requested by the Company.
11. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN.
The Board may terminate or amend the Plan at any time. However,
subject to changes in applicable law, regulations or rules that would permit
otherwise, without the approval of the Company's stockholders, there shall be
(a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be
issued under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions of
Section 4.2), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive
Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the Plan that would
require approval of the Company's stockholders under any applicable law,
regulation or rule. No termination or amendment of the Plan shall affect any
then outstanding Option unless expressly provided by the Board. In any event, no
termination or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any then outstanding
Option without the consent of the Optionee, unless such termination or amendment
is required to enable an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or is necessary to comply with any
applicable law, regulation or rule.
12. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
12.1 PROVISION OF INFORMATION. Each Optionee shall be given access
to information concerning the Company equivalent to that information generally
made available to the Company's common stockholders.
12.2 RIGHTS AS EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT. No person, even though
eligible pursuant to Section 5, shall have a right to be selected as a Optionee,
or, having been so selected, to be selected again as a Optionee. Nothing in the
Plan or any Option granted under the Plan shall confer on any Optionee a right
to remain an Employee or Consultant, or interfere with or limit in any way any
right of a Participating Company to terminate the Optionee's Service at any
time. To the extent that an Employee of a Participating Company other than the
Company receives an Option under the Plan, that Option shall in no event be
understood or interpreted to mean that the Company is the Employee's employer or
that the Employee has an employment relationship with the Company.
12.3 RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. An Optionee shall have no rights as a
stockholder with respect to any shares covered by an Option until the date of
the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No
adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which
the record date is prior to the date such shares are issued, except as provided
in Section 4.2 or another provision of the Plan.
12.4 FRACTIONAL SHARES. The Company shall not be required to issue
fractional shares upon the exercise of any Option.
12.5 BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION. Subject to local laws and procedures,
each Optionee may file with the Company a written designation of a beneficiary
who is to receive any benefit under the Plan to which the Optionee is entitled
in the event of such Optionee's death before he or she receives any or all of
such benefit. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same
Optionee, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective
only when filed by the Optionee in writing with the Company during the
Optionee's lifetime. If a married Optionee designates a beneficiary other than
the Optionee's spouse, the effectiveness of such designation may be subject to
the consent of the Optionee's spouse. If a Optionee dies without an effective
designation of a beneficiary who is living at the time of the Optionee's death,
the Company will pay any remaining unpaid benefits to the Optionee's legal
representative.