EXHIBIT
10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED
AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT dated as of March
11, 2009 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time hereafter, this
“Agreement”), is entered into by and between Columbia
Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation having its corporate
offices at 354 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston, New Jersey 07039
(the “Company”), and James Meer
(“Executive”).
WITNESSETH
:
WHEREAS, the
Company wishes to employ Executive on the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the
Company and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement so the
rights, duties, benefits, and obligations of each regarding
Executive’s employment for and by the Company will be fully
set forth under the terms and conditions stated within this
Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE,
in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings hereunder,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby
agree as follows:
1. Term
. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date
first written above and continue through March 31, 2010, unless
this Agreement is earlier terminated in accordance with Section 6
or 8 hereof. The term shall be automatically extended
without further action of either party for additional one-year
periods, unless written notice of either party’s intention
not to extend has been given to the other party hereto at least
sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then effective
term.
(a) Executive
shall be the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and
Treasurer of the Company. Executive will perform duties
customarily associated with such position, including, but not
limited to, duties relating to the management of the financial
affairs of the Company and its affiliates, investor relations
matters, and such other duties commensurate with the job
description as may be assigned to him from time to time by the
chief executive officer of the Company (the “Company
CEO”). Executive shall be employed at the
Company’s offices located in Livingston, New
Jersey. Executive will report to the Company
CEO.
(b) Executive
agrees to devote his entire business time and attention to the
performance of his duties under this Agreement. He shall
perform his duties to the best of his ability and shall use his
best efforts to further the interests of the Company. Executive
shall perform his duties and will be required to travel as
reasonably necessary to perform the services required of him under
this Agreement. Executive represents and warrants to the
Company that he is able to enter into this Agreement and that his
ability to enter into this Agreement and to
fully perform
his duties hereunder are not limited to or restricted by any
agreements or understandings between Executive and any other
person. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term
“person” means any natural person, corporation,
partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability
company, or any other entity of any nature. It shall not be a
violation of this Agreement for Executive to serve on corporate
boards or committees (it being agreed that in no event shall
Executive serve on the board of directors or advisory board of more
than two other corporations and the acceptance of any new
directorship after the date hereof shall be subject to the approval
of the Company (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), so long
as such activities do not unreasonably interfere with the
performance of Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the
Company in accordance with this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, it is agreed and acknowledged that Executive presently
serves on advisory boards of two other corporations,
(c) Executive
will observe the reasonable rules, regulations, policies and/or
procedures which the Company may now or hereafter establish
governing the conduct of its business, except to the extent that
any such rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures may be
inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, in which case the
terms of this Agreement shall control.
3. Employment
Contract. The Company and Executive acknowledge
that the terms of his employment are set forth in this
Agreement. If Executive’s employment terminates
for any reason, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments,
benefits, damages, award or compensation other than as provided in
this Agreement, or as may otherwise be available in accordance with
the Company’s established written plans and written policies
at the time of termination.
(a) Subject
to tax withholdings and deductions to cover Executive contributions
to, and payments under, applicable executive benefit and welfare
plans and programs, the Company will pay Executive an annual base
compensation of $275,000 per year to be paid in accordance with the
Company’s normal payroll practices during the term of this
Agreement (“Base Salary”). The
Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) or
Compensation Committee of the Board (or any committee of the Board
that shall replace such committee) shall review annually
Executive’s compensation for increases during the term of
this Agreement in conjunction with the Company’s regular
review of the salaries of other executive level employees and in
consultation with the Company CEO. At such time, the
Company will consider (without any obligation to implement) upward
adjustments to Executive’s compensation under this Agreement
in a manner consistent with the Company’s practices in effect
from time to time.
(b) In
addition to Base Salary, Executive also will be eligible to receive
an annual performance bonus as the Board or Compensation Committee
of the Board (or any committee of the Board that shall replace such
committee) shall, in its sole discretion, deem appropriate based
upon the parameters and criteria contained in the Company’s
bonus plan and in consultation with the Company CEO. He shall be
eligible for a Target Annual Bonus of 35% of his Base Salary as
then in effect. This bonus, if any, shall be paid to the
Executive no later than March 15 following the end of each calendar
year.
(c) Executive also
shall be eligible in the sole discretion of the Board or the
Compensation Committee of the Board (or any committee of the Board
that shall replace such committee) to participate in the
Company’s stock option plan as is from time to time in
effect, subject to the terms and conditions of such plan. The
Executive shall receive on his first day of employment with the
Company an initial grant of 100,000 options to purchase shares of
the Company’s stock which shares are to vest at the rate of
one-quarter on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant
date. The Executive shall receive on his first day of employment
with the Company an initial grant of 10,000 restricted shares of
the Company’s stock which shares are to vest upon the
determination by the Compensation Committee of the Board that the
Company has obtained analyst coverage by at least two independent
or sell-side research providers to ensure that the Company has
broader market awareness.
(a) Executive
and Executive’s eligible dependents shall be eligible for all
employee benefit programs (including any pension, 401(k), group
life insurance, group medical and dental, vision, and short-term
and long-term disability policies, plans, and programs) generally
available to other executive level employees of the Company during
the term of this Agreement, in accordance with the terms of those
benefit plans.
(b) Executive
shall be entitled to accrue paid time off (“PTO”)
during the term of this Agreement in accordance with the
Company’s standard policy and in an amount commensurate with
other executive level employees of the Company.
(c) In
accordance with the policies of the Company in effect from time to
time, Executive will be entitled to reimbursement for approved
ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by him during the
term of this Agreement commensurate with other executive level
employees of the Company.
(a)
Death . Executive’s employment shall
terminate immediately upon his death.
(b)
Disability . Executive’s employment shall
terminate upon Executive having a
“Disability.” For purposes of this
Agreement, “Disability” means a determination by
Company in accordance with applicable law that, as a result of a
physical or mental illness, Executive is unable to perform the
essential functions of his job with or without reasonable
accommodation for a period of six (6) months.
(c)
Termination by Company for Cause . Upon delivery
of written notice of termination for “Cause” from
Company to Executive, Executive’s employment shall
terminate. Termination for “Cause” shall
mean termination based on (i) Executive’s failure or refusal
to perform, in any material respect, his duties faithfully and
diligently in accordance with this
Agreement; (ii) gross negligence, recklessness or
malfeasance in the performance of Executive’s duties;
(iii) Executive committing any criminal act; (iv) Executive
committing any act of fraud or other material misconduct resulting
or intending to result directly or indirectly in gain or personal
enrichment at the expense of Company; (v) Executive willfully
engaging in any conduct relating to the business of Company that
could reasonably be expected to have a materially detrimental
effect on the business or financial condition of the Company;
(vi) misconduct which materially discredits or damages
Company, or violates Company’s policies or procedures, after
Company has notified Executive of the actions Company deems to
constitute non-compliance; (vii) Executive materially breaches
his obligations under Sections 9 and 10 below, relating to
confidential information, non-solicitation and
non-competition.
Termination for
Cause pursuant to subsections (i), (ii), (iv), or (v) of this
Paragraph (c) of Section 6 shall not take effect unless and until
the Company complies with the provisions of this
paragraph. Executive shall be given written notice by
the Company of its intention to terminate him for Cause, stating in
detail the particular act(s) or failure(s) to act that constitute
the grounds on which the proposed termination for Cause is
based. That written notice shall be given to Executive
within ninety (90) days of the Company’s learning of such
act(s) or failure(s) to act. Executive shall then have
thirty (30) days after receipt of such written notice to cure such
conduct, to the extent such cure is possible. If
Executive fails to cure such conduct on or before the end of the
thirty (30) day period, Executive shall be terminated for
Cause. If Executive’s conduct is not curable, no
notice need be given by the Company before terminating Executive
for Cause.
(d)
Resignation for Good Reason . Executive may
terminate his employment with “Good Reason” (as defined
below) upon no fewer than thirty (30) days prior written notice to
the Company specifying the reason(s) for the
termination. Upon receipt of Executive’s notice of
intent to terminate his employment for Good Reason, Company shall
have a right to cure the alleged breach or other conduct alleged by
Executive to constitute Good Reason within the thirty (30) day
period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good
Reason” shall mean the termination by Executive of
Executive’s employment with the Company and all its
affiliates and subsidiaries that are considered a single employer
within the meaning of Sections 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code which
is due to (i) a material diminution of Executive’s
responsibilities, or working conditions, or duties; (ii) a material
diminution in the Executive’s base salary; (iii) a material
negative change in the terms or status of this Agreement; or (iv) a
relocation, without Executive’s consent, of the
Executive’s office more than 100 miles from its location at
the commencement of this Agreement; provided, however, the
Executive shall provide written notice to the Company of the
initial existence of the condition causing the change in terms or
status no more than ninety (90) days after the change in terms or
status occurs and the Company shall have thirty (30) days to
resolve the issue causing the change in terms or
status. If the Company resolves such issue, then
Executive’s employment shall not be subject to the Good
Reason provisions of this Agreement as to such issue.
(e)
Resignation Without Good Reason . Executive may
terminate his employment without Good Reason upon no fewer than
thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company. Without Good
Reason as used in this Agreement refers to any reason not included
as a Good Reason in section 6(d).
(f)
Termination by Company Without Cause
. Executive’s employment shall terminate thirty
(30) days after written notice delivered to Executive of
Company’s termination of Executive’s employment for
reason other than Death, Disability or Cause.
7.
Compensation Upon Termination
(Other than a Change in Control)
(a) If
Executive’s employment is terminated by Company for Cause, by
Death or Disability, or if Executive resigns Without Good Reason,
Executive shall be entitled to receive:
(i) the
Base Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) reimbursement
for any previously unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred
and documented by Executive in accordance with Company policy prior
to the date of Executive’s termination; and
(iii) such
Employee Benefits, if any, as to which Executive may be entitled
under the employee benefit plans of the Company.
(b) If
Executive’s Employment is terminated by Company without Cause
or by Executive with Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled
to:
(i) the
Base Salary through the date of termination;
(ii) reimbursement
for any previously unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred
and documented by Executive in accordance with Company policy prior
to the date of Executive’s termination;
(iii) receive a lump sum
payment within sixty (60) days following Executive’s
termination of employment equal to (1) one times Executive’s
Annual Base Salary at the rate immediately in effect before
Executive’s Termination Date; and (2) the greater of (A) the
cash bonus paid to Executive in the preceding year pursuant to the
Company’s bonus plan or (B) the Executive’s target
bonus in effect at the time of the termination.
(iv) if
Executive elects to continue medical, dental, and vision coverage
under the health care continuation provisions of COBRA, Company
shall reimburse Executive for the related premium cost for employee
and dependent coverage for a period of twelve (12) months following
Executive’s date of termination of employment.
(c) If
Executive’s Employment is terminated as a result of Company
providing written notice to Executive pursuant to Section 1 of this
Agreement of Company’s intention not to extend the term of
the Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to:
(i) the
Base Salary through the end of the term;
(ii) reimbursement for
any previously unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred and
documented by Executive in accordance with Company policy prior to
the end of the term;
(iii) receive a lump sum
payment within sixty (60) days following Executive’s
termination of employment equal to (1) one times Executive’s
Annual Base Salary at the rate immediately in effect before the end
of the term.
(a) In
the event of “Change in Control” of Company, as defined
in the Executive Change in Control Severance Agreement to be
executed on the date hereof (the “Change in Control
Agreement”) between the Company and Executive and attached
hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference as if fully set
forth herein, Executive shall be entitled solely to the benefits,
if any, available to him pursuant to the Change in Control
Agreement, and the benefits otherwise available under this
Agreement shall not apply.
9.
Restrictive
Covenants .
(a) During
Executive’s employment and for a period of one (1) year
following the termination of Executive’s employment for any
reason, Executive will not compete directly with the Company
anywhere in the world by rendering services or providing assistance
for himself or on behalf of any other person or entity, in any line
of business substantially similar to, or competitive with, the
business in which the Company is engaged or has made preparations
to engage, as of the termination date of Executive’s
employment with the Company.
(b) Executive
agrees that during the period stated in subsection (a) above, he
will not (i) directly solicit or encourage in any manner the
resignation of any employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries; or (ii) directly or indirectly solicit or divert
customers, vendors, or business of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries ( provided that Executive may deal with any
such customers or vendors in any manner which does not violate the
provisions of subsection (a) above); or (iii) attempt to
influence, directly or indirectly, any person or entity to cease,
reduce, alter, or rearrange any business relationship with the
Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(c) Executive
acknowledges and agrees that he considers the restrictions set
forth in this Section 9 to be reasonable both individually and in
the aggregate and that the duration, geographic scope, extent and
application of these restrictions are no greater than is necessary
for the protection of the Company’s legitimate
interests. It is the desire and intent of Executive and
the Company that the provisions of this Section 9 shall be enforced
to the fullest extent possible under the laws and public policies
of the State of New Jersey. The Company and Executive
further agree that if any particular provision or portion of this
Section 9 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such
adjudication shall apply only with respect to the operation of such
provision in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication
is made. The Company and Executive further agree that in
the event that any restriction herein shall be found to be void or
unenforceable but would be valid or enforceable if some part or
parts thereof were deleted or the period or area of application
reduced, such restriction shall apply with modification as may be
necessary to make it valid and Executive and the Company empower a
court of competent jurisdiction to modify, reduce or otherwise
reform such provision(s) in such fashion as to carry out the
parties’ intent to grant the Company the maximum allowable
protection consistent with the applicable law and facts and the
express exceptions contained herein.
(d) Without
limiting the foregoing, Executive will not be deemed to be in
competition with the Company by reason of his employment by an
enterprise (“Subsequent Employer”) whose businesses
include both (i) activities that involve the Company
Technology (“Covered Business”); and
(ii) activities that do not involve the Company Technology
(“Excluded Business”) upon satisfaction of the
following conditions: (A) Executive delivers to the
Subsequent Employer a copy of this Agreement or an extract thereof
setting forth fully and completely the restrictions set forth in
this Section 9; (B) the Subsequent Employer executes and
delivers to the Company a written agreement in which, as a
condition to Executive’s employment, the Subsequent Employer
(1) acknowledges receipt of such restriction, (2) agrees
to employ Executive only in the Excluded Business, (3) agrees
to cause the executive in charge of the Covered Business to
acknowledge such restrictions in writing and agree that Executive
will not be permitted to participate in the Covered Business,
(4) agrees to establish reasonable internal policies and
procedures to prevent violation of such restrictions or disclosure
by Executive to personnel engaged in the Covered Business, and
(5) agrees that the Company shall be entitled to enforce such
agreement directly against the Subsequent Employer; and
(C) Executive and the Subsequent Employer perform their
obligations pursuant to this Agreement and such
agreement.
10.
Confidentiality . The Employee Proprietary
Information and Inventions Agreement dated December 6, 2006,
between the Company and Executive and attached hereto as Exhibit B
and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth
herein.
11.
Cooperation : Executive agrees to
cooperate on a reasonable basis in the truthful and honest
prosecution and/or defense of any claim in which the Company, its
affiliates, and/or its subsidiaries may have an interest (subject
to reasonable limitations concerning time and place), which may
include without limitation making himself available on a mutually
agreed, reasonable basis to participate in any proceeding involving
the Company, its affiliates, and/or its subsidiaries, allowing
himself to be interviewed by representatives of the Company, its
affiliates, and/or its subsidiaries without asserting or claiming
any privilege against the Company, its affiliates, and/or its
subsidiaries, appearing for depositions and testimony without
requiring a subpoena and without asserting or claiming any
privilege against the Company, its affiliates, and/or its
subsidiaries, and producing and/or providing any documents or names
of other persons with relevant information without asserting or
claiming any privilege against the Company, its affiliates, and/or
its subsidiaries; provided that, if such services are required
after the end of any period during which he is eligible for
severance benefits, if any, the Company, its affiliates, and/or its
subsidiaries shall provide Executive with reasonable compensation
for the time actually expended in such endeavors and shall pay his
reasonable expenses incurred at the prior and specific request of
the Company, its affiliates, and/or its subsidiaries.
12.
Remedies . Executive acknowledges and
agrees that the Company’s remedy at law for a breach or
threatened breach of the provisions of this Agreement would be
inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, in the event of a
breach or threatened breach by Executive of any provision of this
Agreement, it is agreed that, in addition to any available remedy
at law, the Company shall be entitled to, without posting any bond,
specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or
permanent injunction, or any other equitable relief or remedy which
may then be available; provided, however, nothing herein shall be
deemed to relieve the Company of its burden to prove grounds
warranting such relief nor preclude Executive from contesting such
grounds or facts in support thereof. Nothing herein
contained shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from
pursuing any other remedies available to it for such breach or
threatened breach hereof.
13. Applicable
Laws and Consent to Jurisdiction . The validity,
construction, interpretation, and enforceability of this Agreement
shall be determined and governed by the laws of the State of New
Jersey without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law.
For the purpose of litigating any dispute that arises under this
Agreement, the parties hereby consent to exclusive jurisdiction of,
and agree that such litigation shall be conducted in, any state or
federal court located in the State of New Jersey.
14.
Severability . The provisions of this Agreement are
severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be
illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the
remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and
enforceable. The Parties agree that the covenants set
forth herein are reasonable. Without limiting the
foregoing, it is the intent of the parties that the covenants set
forth herein be enforced to the maximum degree permitted by
applicable law. As such, the parties ask that if any
court of competent jurisdiction were to consider any provision of
this Agreement to be overly broad based on the circumstances at the
time enforcement is requested, that such court “blue
pencil” the provision and enforce the provision to the full
extent that such court deems it to be reasonable in
scope.
15.
Indemnification . The Indemnification
Agreement dated December 6, 2006, between the Company and
Executive, is attached hereto as Exhibit C and incorporated by
reference as if fully set forth herein.
16.
Miscellaneous; Waiver . Executive further
agrees that this Agreement, together with the Exhibits incorporated
by reference as if fully set forth herein, sets forth the entire
employment agreement between the Company and Executive, supersedes
any and all prior agreements between the Company and
Executive, and shall not be amended or added to except in writing
signed by the Company and Executive. Executive
understands that he may not assign his duties and obligations under
this Agreement to any other party and that the Company may, at any
time and without further action by or the consent of Executive,
assign this Agreement to any of its affiliated
companies.
17.
Counterparts . This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original and all of which taken together shall constitute
one and the same agreement.
18. Successors
and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding
on the successors and heirs of Executive and shall inure to the
benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.
19.
Notices . Any notice required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if
personally delivered or if sent by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, with return receipt requested,
addressed: (a) in the case of the Company, to Columbia
Laboratories, Inc., 354 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston, New Jersey
07039, attn.: General Counsel, and (b) in the case of Executive, to
Executive's last known address as reflected in the Company's
records, or to such other address as Executive shall designate by
written notice to the Company. Any notice given
hereunder shall be deemed given at the time of receipt thereof by
the person to whom such notice is given.
20. Code Section 409A
Compliance . Executive acknowledges and agrees
that he has been advised that, before entering into this Agreement,
he should consult with his financial, legal or tax adviser to
determine the risk to him of the imposition of tax under Internal
Revenue Code Section 409A. Executive shall have no claim
against the Company with respect to Code Section
409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with the
requirements of Code Section 409A and the treasury regulations and
other guidance issued thereunder, as in effect from time to
time. To the extent a provision of this Agreement is
contrary to or fails to address the requirements of Code Section
409A and related treasury regulations, this Agreement shall be
construed and administered as necessary to comply with such
requirements to the extent allowed under applicable treasury
regulations.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the dates
set forth below.
|
EXECUTIVE
|
COLUMBIA
LABORATORIES, INC.
|
|
/s/ James
Meer
|
/s/ Stephen G.
Kasnet
|
|
James
Meer
|
Stephen G.
Kasnet, Chairman
|
|
Date: March 11,
2009
|
Date: March 11,
2009
|
Exhibit A
EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS EXECUTIVE
CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT dated as of March 11, 2009
(as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time hereafter, this
“Agreement”), is entered into between Columbia
Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation having its corporate
offices at 364 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston, New Jersey
(“Columbia” or the “Company”), and James
Meer (“Executive”).
WITNESSETH
:
WHEREAS, the
Company desires to create a greater incentive for Executive to
remain in the employ of the Company, particularly in the event of
any possible change or threatened change in control of the Company;
and
NOW THEREFORE,
in partial consideration of Executive’s future services to
the Company and the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties
hereby agree as follows:
1.
Termination Following A Change
in Control
(a)
Qualifying Termination . Executive shall be
entitled to the compensation and benefits listed in Paragraph 1(b),
in addition to compensation and benefits to which Executive would
otherwise be entitled as of the date of termination, if
Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated either
(i) by the Company for any reason other than for Cause within 90
days before a Change in Control or within one year following the
occurrence of any Change in Control or successive Change in Control
or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason within one year following the
occurrence of any Change in Control or successive Change in Control
and Executive properly executes, and does not revoke or attempt to
revoke, a valid and reasonable release of claims against the
Company, its affiliates and their employees and agents.
(b)
Compensation and Benefits . Within ten business
days after a Change in Control event (or the last day of any period
during which any release may be revoked by Executive), the Company
shall make a lump sum cash payment to Executive, subject to any
mandatory tax withholding, equal to one times Executive’s
Base Salary and Bonus for the year prior to the Change in Control
plus a lump sum payment equal to the value of the Fringe Benefits
provided to Executive for the year prior to the Change in
Control.
(a)
Bonus . “Bonus” shall mean the
greater of (i) the bonus, if any, paid to Executive in the year
prior to the Qualifying Termination, (ii) the bonus, if any, paid
to Executive in the year prior to the Change in Control, or (iii)
the Executive’s target bonus at the time of the Change in
Control.
(b)
Base Salary . “Base Salary” shall mean the
greater of (i) the annual rate of base salary in effect for
Executive at the time of the Qualifying Termination or (ii) the
annual rate of base salary in effect for Executive at the time of
the Change in Control.
(c)
Cause . “Cause” shall mean
termination based on (i) gross negligence, recklessness or
malfeasance in the performance of Executive’s duties;
(ii) Executive committing any criminal act; (iii) Executive
committing any act of fraud or other material misconduct resulting
or intending to result directly or indirectly in gain or personal
enrichment at the expense of C