1
EXHIBIT 10.1
IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC.
1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") of IDEXX
Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), is to advance the
interests of the Company's stockholders by enhancing the Company's ability to
attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make)
important contributions to the Company by providing such persons with equity
ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives and thereby better
aligning the interests of such persons with those of the Company's stockholders.
Except where the context otherwise requires, the term "Company" shall include
any present or future subsidiary corporations of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. as
defined in Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
any regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Code").
2. ELIGIBILITY
All of the Company's employees, officers, directors, consultants and
advisors (and any individuals who have accepted an offer for employment) are
eligible to be granted options or restricted stock awards (each, an "Award")
under the Plan. Each person who has been granted an Award under the Plan shall
be deemed a "Participant".
3. ADMINISTRATION, DELEGATION
(a) ADMINISTRATION BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Plan will be administered by
the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"). The Board shall have
authority to grant Awards and to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative
rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable.
The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall
deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect and it shall be the sole and final
judge of such expediency. All decisions by the Board shall be made in the
Board's sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or
claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award. No director or person acting
pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board shall be liable for any action
or determination relating to or under the Plan made in good faith.
2
(b) APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. To the extent permitted by applicable law,
the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more
committees or subcommittees of the Board (a "Committee"). All references in the
Plan to the "Board" shall mean the Board or a Committee of the Board to the
extent that the Board's powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated
to such Committee.
4. STOCK AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS
(a) NUMBER OF SHARES. Subject to adjustment under Section 7, Awards may be
made under the Plan for up to 1,800,000 shares of common stock, $.10 par value
per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"). If any Award expires or is
terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised or is
forfeited in whole or in part or results in any Common Stock not being issued,
the unused Common Stock covered by such Award shall again be available for the
grant of Awards under the Plan, subject, however, in the case of Incentive Stock
Options (as hereinafter defined), to any limitation required under the Code.
Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but
unissued shares or treasury shares.
(b) PER-PARTICIPANT LIMIT. Subject to adjustment under Section 7, the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which an Award may be
granted to any Participant under the Plan shall be 500,000 per calendar year.
The per-Participant limit described in this Section 4(b) shall be construed and
applied consistently with Section 162(m) of the Code.
5. STOCK OPTIONS
(a) GENERAL. The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each,
an "Option") and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by
each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and
limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions
relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers
necessary or advisable. An Option which is not intended to be an Incentive Stock
Option (as hereinafter defined) shall be designated a "Nonstatutory Stock
Option".
(b) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. An Option that the Board intends to be an
"incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an "Incentive
Stock Option") shall only be granted to employees of the Company and shall be
subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section
422 of the Code. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any
other party, if an Option (or any part thereof) which is intended to be an
Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option.
2
3
(c) EXERCISE PRICE. The Board shall establish the exercise price, which
shall in no event be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock
as determined (or in a manner approved) by the Board in good faith ("Fair Market
Value") at the time of grant, at the time each Option is granted and specify it
in the applicable option agreement.
(d) DURATION OF OPTIONS. Each Option shall be exercisable at such times
and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the
applicable option agreement. No option will be granted for a term in excess of
10 years.
(e) EXERCISE OF OPTION. Options may be exercised by delivery to the
Company of a written notice of exercise signed by the proper person or by any
other form of notice (including electronic notice) approved by the Board,
together with payment in full as specified in Section 5(f) for the number of
shares for which the Option is exercised.
(f) PAYMENT UPON EXERCISE. Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an
Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:
(1) in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;
(2) except as the Board may, in its sole discretion, otherwise
provide in an option agreement, (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional
undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company
sufficient funds to pay the exercise price, (ii) delivery by the Participant to
the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a
creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check
sufficient to pay the exercise price or (iii) delivery of shares of Common Stock
owned by the Participant valued at their Fair Market Value, which Common Stock
was owned by the Participant at least six months prior to such delivery;
(3) to the extent permitted by the Board, in its sole discretion
(i) by delivery of a promissory note of the Participant to the Company on terms
determined by the Board, or (ii) by payment of such other lawful consideration
as the Board may determine; or
(4) any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.
6. RESTRICTED STOCK
(a) GRANTS. The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire
shares of Common Stock, subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or
part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price (or to
require
3
4
forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) from the recipient in the event
that conditions specified by the Board in the applicable Award are not satisfied
prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by
the Board for such Award (each, "Restricted Stock Award").
(b) TERMS AND CONDITIONS. The Board shall determine the terms and
conditions of any such Restricted Stock Award, including the conditions for
repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, if any. Any stock certificates
issued in respect of a Restricted Stock Award shall be registered in the name of
the Participant and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, deposited by the
Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or
its designee). At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the
Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to
such restrictions to the Participant or if the Participant has died, to the
beneficiary designated, in a manner determined by the Board, by a Participant to
receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the
Participant's death (the "Designated Beneficiary"). In the absence of an
effective designation by a Participant, Designated Beneficiary shall mean the
Participant's estate.
(c) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF SHARES. Notwithstanding any provision of the
Plan, no more than 10% of the total number of shares issuable under the Plan may
be issued in the form of Restricted Stock Awards which are granted with an issue
price less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.
7. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS
(a) CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION. In the event of any stock split, reverse
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares,
reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization
or event, or any distribution to holders of Common Stock other than a normal
cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available under this Plan,
(ii) the per-Participant limits set forth in Section 4(b), (iii) the number and
class of securities and exercise price per share subject to each outstanding
Option, and (iv) the repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding
Restricted Stock Award shall be appropriately adjusted by the Company (or
substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) to the extent the Board shall
determine, in good faith, that such an adjustment (or substitution) is necessary
and appropriate. If this Section 7(a) applies and Section 7(c) also applies to
any event, Section 7(c) shall be applicable to such event, and this Section 7(a)
shall not be applicable.
(b) LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION. In the event of a proposed liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, the Board shall upon written notice to the
Participants provide that (i) all then unexercised Options will (x) become
exercisable in full as of a specified time at least 10 business days prior to
the effective date of such liquidation or
4
5
dissolution and (y) terminate effective upon such liquidation or dissolution,
except to the extent exercised before such effective date, and (ii) all
Restricted Stock Awards will become free of all restrictions as of a specified
time prior to the effective date of such liquidation or dissolution.
(c) ACQUISITION EVENTS
(1) DEFINITION. An "Acquisition Event" shall mean: (a) any merger or
consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which
the Common Stock is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash,
securities or other property or (b) any exchange of shares of the Company for
cash, securities or other property pursuant to a statutory share exchange
transaction.
(2) CONSEQUENCES OF AN ACQUISITION EVENT ON OPTIONS. Upon the
occurrence of an Acquisition Event, or the execution by the Company of any
agreement with respect to an Acquisition Event, the Board shall provide that all
outstanding Options shall be assumed, or equivalent options shall be
substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate
thereof), provided that any options substituted for Incentive Stock Options
shall satisfy, in the determination of the Board, the requirements of Section
424(a) of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the acquiring or
succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) does not agree to assume, or
substitute for, such Options, then the Board shall upon written notice to the
Participants, provide that all then unexercised Options will become exercisable
in full as of a specified time (the "Acceleration Time") prior to the
Acquisition Event and will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of
such Acquisition Event, except to the extent exercised by the Participants
before the consummation of such Acquisition Event; provided, however, that, in
the event of an Acquisition Event under the terms of which holders of Common
Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share of
Common Stock surrendered pursuant to such Acquisition Event (the "Acquisition
Price"), then the Board may instead provide that all outstanding Options shall
terminate upon consummation of such Acquisition Event and that each Participant
shall receive, in exchange therefor, a cash payment equal to the amount (if any)
by which (A) the Acquisition Price multiplied by the number of shares of Common
Stock subject to such outstanding Options (whether or not then exercisable),
exceeds (B) the aggregate exercise price of such Options.
(3) CONSEQUENCES OF AN ACQUISITION EVENT ON RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.
Upon the occurrence of an Acquisition Event, the repurchase and other rights of
the Company under each outstanding Restricted Stock Award shall inure to the
benefit of the Company's successor and shall apply to the cash, securities or
other property which the Common Stock was converted into or exchanged for
pursuant to such Acquisition
5
6
Event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to the Common
Stock subject to such Restricted Stock Award.
8. GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
(a) TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS. Except as the Board may otherwise determine
or provide in an Award, Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged
or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either
voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only
by the Participant. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the
context, shall include references to authorized transferees.
(b) DOCUMENTATION. Each Award shall be evidenced by a written instrument
in such form as the Board shall determine. Each Award may contain terms and
conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.
(c) BOARD DISCRETION. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award
may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of
each Award need not be identical, and the Board need not treat Participants
uniformly.
(d) TERMINATION OF STATUS. The Board shall determine the effect on an
Award of the disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or other
change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent to
which, and the period during which, the Participant, the Participant's legal
representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary may exercise
rights under the Award.
(e) WITHHOLDING. Each Participant shall pay to the Company, or make
provision satisfactory to the Board for payment of, any taxes required by law to
be withheld in connection with Awards to such Participant no later than the date
of the event creating the tax liability. Except as the Board may otherwise
provide in an Award, Participants may satisfy such tax obligations in whole or
in part by delivery of shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from
the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value. The
Company may, to the extent permitted by law, deduct any such tax obligations
from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant.
(f) AMENDMENT OF AWARD. The Board may amend, modify or terminate any
outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another
Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or
realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock
Option, provided that the Participant's consent to such action shall be required
unless the Board determines that
6
7
the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and
adversely affect the Participant.
(g) CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK. The Company will not be obligated to
deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove
restrictions from shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all
conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the
Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company's counsel, all other legal matters
in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied,
including any applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or
stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and
delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may
consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules
or regulations.
(h) ACCELERATION. The Board may at any time provide that any Options shall
become immediately exercisable in full or in part or that any Restricted Stock
Awards shall be free of restrictions in full or in part.
9. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER STATUS. No person shall have any claim
or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be
construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other
relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at any
time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free
from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the
applicable Award.
(b) NO RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. Subject to the provisions of the applicable
Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a
stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with
respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split of the
Common Stock by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the
number of shares subject to such Option are adjusted as of the date of the
distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record date for such
dividend), then an optionee who exercises an Option between the record date for
such stock dividend and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be
entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect
to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such Option exercise,
notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close
of business on the record date for such stock dividend.
7
8
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective on
the date on which it is approved by the Company's stockholders. No Awards shall
be granted under the Plan after the completion of ten years from the date the
Plan was approved by the Board, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond
that date.
(d) AMENDMENT OF PLAN. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan
or any portion thereof at any time, provided that, to the extent required by
Section 162(m), no Award granted to a Participant designated as subject to
Section 162(m) by the Board after the date of such amendment shall become
exercisable, realizable or vested, as applicable to such Award (to the extent
that such amendment to the Plan was required to grant such Award to a particular
Participant), unless and until such amendment shall have been approved by the
Company's stockholders as required by Section 162(m) (including the vote
required under Section 162(m)).
(e) GOVERNING LAW. The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made
hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware, without regard to any applicable conflicts of law.
Approved by the Board of Directors February 12, 1998.
8