Exhibit 10.35
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this
"Agreement") is entered into as of December 1, 2008, by and between
NPS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation, with a business
address at 550 Hills Drive, Bedminster, New Jersey 07921, and all
its affiliates (collectively the "Company"), and Roger Garceau,
with an address of 3 Montaine Place, Lebanon, New Jersey 08833 (the
"Executive").
Recitals
WHEREAS, the Company desires to
employ the Executive as Senior Vice-President, Research and
Development, and Chief Medical Officer of the Company effective as
of December 11, 2008 (the "Commencement Date"), and the Executive
desires to be so employed by the Company upon the terms and
conditions hereinafter provided.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and
the Executive, in consideration of the mutual promises contained
herein, hereby agree as follows:
- Employment
Duties
-
- Position
and Duties . The
Executive will be appointed Chief Medical Officer of the Company
with duties and responsibilities commensurate with such position
effective on the Commencement Date.
- Reporting
Relationship . The
Executive will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company (the "CEO").
- Location . The Executive will have his primary office at
the Company office at 550 Hills Drive, Bedminster, New
Jersey.
- Rights Granted Upon the Commencement
Date
Upon the Commencement Date, the Executive shall
be provided One Hundred Fifty Thousand
(150,000) Non-Qualified Stock Options (" NQSOs
" ) under the Company's
1998 Stock Option Plan (the "1998 Plan"), as the same may be
amended from time to time, and under the Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement executed by the Company and
the Executive, with an exercise price equal to the closing price of
the Company's common stock on the Commencement Date. The Company
and the Executive agree that under no circumstances shall any grant of NQSOs be made at a discount from the fair market value, as defined
by Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 409A of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") (the "Fair
Market Value"), of
the Company's common stock as of the date of
grant.
- Compensation
For
services rendered hereunder by the Executive, the Company shall pay
the Executive the amounts set forth below.
-
-
Base Salary . The Company
shall pay to the Executive an annual base salary of $325,000 (the
"Base Salary") payable in accordance with the standard payroll
practices of the Company. In addition, the CEO after review and
approval from the Compensation Committee of the Board, in its sole
and absolute discretion, may determine to increase such Base Salary
for the Executive from time to time; however, nothing contained
herein shall obligate the CEO to make such discretionary
increases.
- Short-Term
Incentives - Annual Bonus . The Executive shall be entitled to participate
in the Company's current Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan (the
"Bonus Plan") in accordance with the terms of such Bonus Plan, as
the same may be amended from time to time. The target bonus
opportunity for the Executive under the Bonus Plan shall be 35% of
his Base Salary.
- Long-Term
Incentives - Equity . The
Executive will be entitled to receive awards granted by the
Compensation Committee pursuant to any equity program or long-term
incentive plan that may be maintained by the Company from time to
time. The amount of any awards shall be determined at the sole
discretion of the Compensation Committee.
- Benefits
The
Executive shall be entitled to the following employee benefits,
which the Company may revise from time to time, which employee
benefits are currently provided to all non-temporary employees of
the Company that work a minimum of 30 hours per week:
• Medical insurance coverage for the Executive and
his legal dependents as defined by the Company's standard insurance
plan. • Dental insurance coverage for the Executive and
his legal dependents as defined by the Company's standard insurance
plan. • Long-term care insurance. •
Short-term disability
coverage. • Term life insurance in the amount of one times
the Executive's Base Salary. • Accidental death and dismemberment insurance in
the amount of one times the Base Salary. •
Long-term disability
coverage. • 401(k) plan. •
Option to participate in the 125
Cafeteria Plan which includes dependent care and health care
flexible spending accounts. • Annual paid time off ("PTO") of twenty-five (25)
days per year, with 7.7 hours earned per full pay period
worked. • Nine (9) Company holiday days every calendar
year.
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-
Restrictive Covenants
The
Executive acknowledges that he will execute and deliver to the
Company the Employee Agreement Concerning Invention Assignment,
Non-Disclosure and Non-Competition, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit A (the "Restrictive Covenant
Agreement").
- Indemnification
The
Executive will be indemnified by the Company to the same extent the
Company indemnifies other officers and/or directors during and
following employment and/or services as a Director. Attached hereto
as Exhibit B is the current Indemnity Agreement between the Company
and the Executive.
- Change In
Control Protection
Protection in the Event of a Company
Change . The Executive
shall be entitled to participate in the NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Change in Control Severance Pay Plan (the "CC Plan") in accordance
with the terms of such CC Plan, as the same may be amended from
time to time. Benefits under the CC Plan shall be paid in lieu of
termination benefits under any other provision of this Agreement,
and if the Executive receives benefits under the CC Plan, he shall
have no right to benefits under Section VIII.
- Termination
Provisions (other than Change in Control)
-
- Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following
definitions shall apply:
-
- "Cause" shall
mean (a) an act of material dishonesty by the Executive in
connection with his responsibilities as an employee, (b) the
Executive's conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a
felony, (c) the Executive's gross misconduct in connection with the
performance or failure of performance of a material component of
the Executive's responsibilities as an employee that is materially
injurious to the Company, (d) the Executive's continued substantial
violations of his employment duties after he has received a written
demand for performance from the Company which specifically sets
forth the factual basis for the Company's belief that the Executive
has not substantially performed such duties and after he has been
provided with a 60-day cure period, (e) the Executive's continued
poor performance after receiving notice of the specific areas in
which performance is deficient after which performance does not
improve over a 60-day cure period, or (f) a violation of a material
provision of the Company's Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics.
- "Good Reason" shall mean,
without the express written consent
of the Executive, the occurrence of any of the following
conditions, provided the Executive provides notice to the Company
of the existence of the condition within 90 days of the initial
existence of the condition and the Company fails to remedy the
condition within 30 days of receipt of such
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notice:
(i) a material relocation in the geographic location at which the
Executive must perform his services; (ii) any material reduction in
the Executive's Base Salary, other than a reduction of a
proportionally like amount affecting all other senior executives of
the Company; (iii) a change in the Executive's reporting
responsibilities so that the Executive no longer reports directly
to the Chief Executive Officer; (iv) a material diminution in the
Executive's authority, duties or responsibilities; or (v) any other
action or inaction that constitutes a material breach of this
Agreement by the Company.
-
-
- "Total
Disability" shall mean the Executive is unable to engage in any
substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable
physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in
death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not
less than twelve (12) months, or is, by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to
result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period
of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement
benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an
accident or disability insurance benefit plan covering Company
employees, as determined by the Company in its sole and absolute
discretion.
- Termination
by the Company Without Cause . Except as provided below, if the Company
terminates the employment of the Executive without Cause, from and
after such effective date of termination, the Executive shall no
longer be entitled to receive any Base Salary, bonus or option
awards, or other amounts or benefits otherwise payable hereunder,
except such continuation and/or conversion rights as required by
law or provided under the terms of any Company sponsored employee
benefit plan or agreement executed by the Company and the
Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive the following:
-
-
- Any previously
earned and accrued but unpaid Base Salary up to the Executive's
date of termination (the "Accrued Base Salary");
- Any unpaid
bonus for the calendar year prior to the year in which the
termination occurred which may be owed under the Bonus Plan
described in Section III.b. above (the "Accrued
Bonus");
- Subject to the
provisions of Section VIII.f., a severance payment in an amount
equal to 1.5 times the Executive's Base Salary in effect
immediately preceding the date of termination (the "Severance
Benefit"); and
- Vested options
shall remain exercisable in accordance with the terms of the 1998
Plan or such other plan of the Company or agreement
executed
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by the
Company and the Executive as the same may be in effect from time to
time, as applicable, that control such vested options.
The
Company shall, subject to Section IX.k., pay all amounts due under
this Section VIII.b. within thirty (30) days following the
Executive's effective date of termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company
terminates the employment of the Executive without Cause following
a Change of Control (as defined in the CC Plan as in effect from
time to time), then the Executive shall be entitled only to the
payments and rights as provided in Section VII.
-
- Termination
by the Company For Cause . Except as provided below, if the Company
terminates the employment of the Executive for Cause, from and
after such effective date of termination, the Executive shall no
longer be entitled to any Base Salary, bonus or option awards, or
other amounts or benefits otherwise payable hereunder, except such
continuation and/or conversion rights as required by law or
provided under the terms of any Company sponsored employee benefit
plan or agreement executed by the Company and the Executive. The
Executive shall not be entitled to the Severance Benefit under this
Agreement. This forfeiture of any right to the Severance Benefit
shall be in addition to any forfeiture of rights to stock options,
bonuses or other amounts provided for in any other employee benefit
plan, program or agreement of the Company or executed by the
Company and the Executive, including, but not limited to the Bonus
Plan and the 1998 Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive any Accrued Base Salary and
Accrued Bonus. Vested options shall remain exercisable in
accordance with the terms of the 1998 Plan or such other plan of
the Company or agreement executed by the Company and the Executive
as the same may be in effect from time to time, as applicable, that
control such vested options.
- Termination
as a Result of Death or Disability . Except as provided below, upon either (i) the
death of the Executive or (ii) a determination by the Company that
the Executive has incurred a Total Disability, the Executive shall
no longer be entitled to any Base Salary, bonus or option awards,
or other amounts or benefits otherwise payable hereunder, except
such continuation and/or conversion rights as required by law or
provided under the terms of any Company sponsored employee benefit
plan or agreement executed by the Company and the Executive.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive or his estate, as
applicable, shall be entitled to the following:
-
-
- Any Accrued
Base Salary;
- Any Accrued
Bonus, and any other bonus that is earned or accrued as of the date
of the Executive's death or termination for Total Disability, as
such date is determined by the Board, in its sole and absolute
discretion; and
- Vested options
shall remain exercisable in accordance with the terms of the 1998
Plan or such other plan of the Company or agreement executed by the
Company and the Executive as the same may be in effect from time to
time, as applicable, that control such vested options.
The
Company shall pay all amounts due under this Section VIII.d. within
thirty (30) days following the date of (A) the Executive's death or
(B) the determination of his Total Disability, as
applicable.
-
- Termination
by Executive for Good Reason . Except as provided below, if the Executive
terminates his employment for Good Reason, the Executive shall no
longer be entitled to receive any Base Salary, bonus or option
awards, or other amounts or benefits otherwise payable hereunder,
except such continuation and/or conversion rights as required by
law or provided under the terms of any Company sponsored employee
benefit plan or agreement executed by the Company and the
Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive the following:
-
-
- Any Accrued Base Salary;
- Any Accrued
Bonus;
- Subject to the provisions of Section VIII.f.,
the Severance Payment; and
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-
-
-
Vested options shall remain exercisable in accordance with the
terms of the 1998 Plan or such other plan of the Company or
agreement executed by the Company and the Executive as the same may
be in effect from time to time, as applicable, that control such
vested options.
The
Company shall, subject to Section IX.k., pay all amounts due under
this Section VIII.e. within thirty (30) days following the
Executive's effective date of termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive
terminates employment with the Company for Good Reason following a
Change of Control (as defined in the CC Plan as in effect from time
to time), then the Executive shall be entitled only to the payments
and rights as provided in Section VII.
-
- Release . The payment of the Severance Payment is
conditioned on the Executive executing, and failing to revoke
during any applicable revocation period, a general release of all
claims against the Company and its affiliates in a form acceptable
to the Company within twenty-one (21) days of the Executive's date
of termination.
- Miscellaneous Provisions
-
- Third Party
Agreements . The
Executive hereby confirms that the Executive is not bound by the
terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other
party
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which
restricts in any way the Executive's use or disclosure of
information or the Executive's engagement in any business. The
Executive represents to the Company that the Executive's execution
of this Agreement, the Executive's employment with the Company and
the performance of the Executive's proposed duties for the Company
will not violate any obligations the Executive may have to any such
previous employer or other party. In the Executive's work for the
Company, the Executive will not disclose or make use of any
information in violation of any agreements with or rights of any
such previous employer or other party, and the Executive will not
bring to the premises of the Company any copies or other tangible
embodiments of non-public information belonging to or obtained from
any such previous employment or other party.
-
- Taxes . The Company has not made any representation
regarding, nor will the Company indemnify the Executive with
respect to any tax liability as may be imposed on him in connection
with any Base Salary, bonus or other benefits conferred upon him
hereunder; and the Executive shall be liable for all applicable
state and federal income taxes, other than the Company's share of
applicable employment taxes, associated therewith.
- Binding
Effect . This Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives,
successors and assigns, provided that neither party shall assign
any of its rights or privileges hereunder without the prior written
consent of the other party except that the Company may assign its
rights hereunder to a successor in ownership of all or
substantially all the assets of the Company.
- Severability . Should any part or provision of this Agreement
be held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the
validity of the remaining parts or provisions shall not be affected
by such holding, unless such enforceability substantially impairs
the benefit of the remaining portions of this
Agreement.
- Captions . The captions used in this Agreement are for
convenience only and are not to be used in interpreting the
obligations of the parties under this Agreement.
- Choice of
Law . The validity,
construction and performance of this Agreement and the transactions
to which it relates shall be governed by the laws of the State of
New Jersey, without regard to choice of laws provisions. Each of
the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of any New Jersey State or United States Federal Court
located in Somerset County over any action or proceeding arising
out of this Agreement or the employment relationship between them,
and each party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect
of such action or proceeding may be held and determined in such New
Jersey State or Federal Court.
- Entire
Agreement . This
Agreement, together with the Exhibits hereto, embodies the entire
understanding of the parties as it relates to the subject matter
contained
7
herein
and as such, supersedes any prior agreement or understanding
between the parties relating to the terms of employment of the
Executive. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be
valid or binding upon the parties unless in writing executed by
each of the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any agreement
executed by the Company and the Executive that provides for
bonuses, stock options, stock or other grant of value to the
Executive, as may exist from time to time, shall, to the extent
such agreement explicitly so provides, be deemed incorporated into
this Agreement.
-
- Notices . Any and all notices or other communications
hereunder shall be sufficiently given if sent by hand, overnight
courier or by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed to the party to receive the same at its or his
address set forth on page one (1) hereof, or to such other address
as the party to receive the same shall have specified by written
notice given in a manner provided for in this Section IX.h. Such
notices or other communications shall be deemed to have been given
upon receipt if given by hand or by overnight courier and three
days after the date deposited in the mail.
- No
Presumption . Should any
of the provisions of this Agreement (including any Exhibit hereto)
require judicial interpretation, it is agreed that the court
interpreting or construing this Agreement shall not apply a
presumption that any provision shall be more strictly construed
against one party by reason of the rule of construction that a
document is to be construed more strictly against the party who
itself or through its agents prepared the same, it being agreed
that both parties and their respective agents have participated in
the preparation of this Agreement.
- Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and
together which shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
- Section
409A Savings Clause .
This Agreement is intended to comply with the provisions of Section
409A of the Code (and any regulations and guidelines issued
thereunder) to the extent this Agreement is otherwise subject
thereto, and this Agreement shall be interpreted consistent
therewith. If any compensation or benefits prov
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