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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Employment Agreement

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT | Document Parties: NPS PHARMACEUTICALS INC | N. Anthony Coles, M.D. You are currently viewing:
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NPS PHARMACEUTICALS INC | N. Anthony Coles, M.D.

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Title: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Governing Law: Delaware     Date: 3/3/2006
Industry: Biotechnology and Drugs     Sector: Healthcare

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, Parties: nps pharmaceuticals inc , n. anthony coles  m.d.
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EXHIBIT 10.22

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into on the 31 st day of October 2005, by and between NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with a business address at 383 Colorow Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, and its affiliates (collectively, “NPS” or the “Company”), and N. Anthony Coles, M.D. (“Dr. Coles”).

RECITALS

1. The Company desires to hire Dr. Coles as President and Chief Operating Officer (President and COO), with the expectation that he will become Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

2. Dr. Coles is leaving a current position in order to accept the position of President and COO, in accordance with these terms, with the expectation that he will become the Chief Executive Officer.

3. The Company and Dr. Coles have arrived at these terms as compensating Dr. Coles for leaving his current position and join the Company as President and COO.

Based on the foregoing Recitals, and in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the Company and Dr. Coles agree as follows:

 

I.

Employment Duties

 

 

a.

Position / Duties . Dr. Coles will be appointed President and COO of NPS, with duties and responsibilities commensurate with such position. Specifically, all functional Vice Presidents, with the exception of the Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs and General Counsel and Vice President, Development will report to the President and COO. Dr. Coles will also be appointed as President and COO of all affiliates of the Company.

 

 

b.

Date of Appointment . Dr. Coles will be appointed as President and COO on November 2, 2005.

 

 

c.

Reporting Relationship . Dr. Coles will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of NPS.

 

 

d.

Board Membership . Dr. Coles will be elected to the Board of Directors of the Company (Board) at its scheduled Board meeting on November 2 and 3, 2005 in Parsipanny, New Jersey. Dr. Coles will stand for election at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

 

e.

Location . Dr. Coles will have his primary office at the Company office in Parsippany, New Jersey. Dr. Coles agrees to travel as required on company business, including but not limited to, the Company offices in Salt Lake City, Utah; Toronto, Ontario, and Mississauga, Ontario.

 

 

f.

Term of Agreement . This Agreement has a three (3) year term beginning on the date of this Agreement. This Agreement will be automatically extended by one (1) year at the end of the term unless a notice of non-renewal is provided by the Company or by Dr. Coles at least ninety (90) days prior to renewal.

 

II.

Joining Compensation

In order to compensate Dr. Coles for leaving his current employer, the Company will make the following one-time cash payments or equity awards.

 

 

a.

Sign-On Incentive . Within fifteen (15) days of appointment as President and COO, Dr. Coles will receive a total of $200,000 to cover his expected annual bonus and an outstanding loan from his current employer. The total of those two payments will satisfy the Company’s bonus commitment to Dr. Coles for his employment in 2005.


Employment Agreement

N. Anthony Coles, M.D.

Page 2

 

 

b.

Make-Whole Grant . The Company awards the “make-whole” equity grants on the Date of Appointment, or as otherwise expressly provided herein, in order to lessen the forgone equity grants which Dr. Coles will forfeit by leaving his current employment. These equity awards are subject to accelerated vesting upon a change in control, termination without cause or termination for good reason, as more specifically described in Sections VIII and IX below. All equity awards described below are made under the Company’s 2005 Omnibus Equity Plan, attached as Exhibit A.

 

 

i.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).  Dr. Coles will receive 180,000 employment-vested Restricted Stock Units, which will vest as follows:

 

 

 

45,000 RSUs on the second year anniversary of hire;

 

 

 

90,000 RSUs on the fourth year anniversary of hire; and

 

 

 

45,000 RSUs on the fifth year anniversary of hire.

The Board has determined that these RSUs are not performance-based compensation. Attached, as Exhibit B, is a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

 

 

ii.

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs).  Dr. Coles will receive 150,000 stock settled SARs with an exercise price equal to fair market value on the date of grant. The SARs will vest at the Company’s standard four-year vesting schedule (28% after one year and 2% each month thereafter). Attached, as Exhibit C, is a Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement.

 

 

iii.

Stock Options.  Dr. Coles will receive 150,000 Non-Qualified Stock Options (NQSOs) with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. The NQSOs will vest at the Company’s standard four-year vesting schedule (28% after one year and 2% each month thereafter). Attached, as Exhibit D, is a Stock Option Grant Agreement.

 

 

iv.

Succession to CEO.  The advancement of Dr. Coles to CEO will be considered in six (6) months. No later than May 11, 2006, Dr. Coles will receive an additional grant of 200,000 NQSOs, or other equity vehicle, as permitted under the Company’s 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan, with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of the grant. The Board has determined that any NQSOs granted in this circumstance, would not be performance-based compensation. The NQSOs will vest at the Company’s standard four-year vesting schedule (28% after one year and 2% each month thereafter).

 

III.

Ongoing Annual Compensation

 

 

a.

Base Salary . Beginning on the date of appointment as President and COO, Dr. Coles will receive an annual base salary of $450,000 paid over the standard payroll cycle of NPS. The Compensation Committee of the Board will adjust Dr. Coles’s salary when he is appointed CEO, and thereafter on such a schedule to be determined by the Company.

 

 

b.

Short-Term Incentives – Annual Bonus . Dr. Coles will participate in the Company’s current Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan which compensates Company executives based on certain performance measures, which historically have been operational and financial measures.

 

 

i.

2006.  The target bonus opportunity as President and COO under the Executive Short-Term Incentive Plan will be 45% of base salary. The Compensation Committee will adjust the target bonus opportunity for Dr. Coles when he is appointed CEO. The annual target bonus opportunity for CEO is presently a minimum of 50% and a maximum of 100% of base salary. Dr. Coles will receive a bonus for the twelve (12) months of 2006 in addition to the sign-on incentive provided under Section II.a.

 

 

ii.

2007.  The Company will review the target bonus opportunity annually, in connection with reviewing compensation within the Company generally, to ensure it remains competitive among a peer group of similarly situated pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.


Employment Agreement

N. Anthony Coles, M.D.

Page 3

 

 

c.

Long-Term Incentives – Equity . The Company also compensates employees with equity-based long-term incentives. Dr. Coles, as President and COO, will receive annual long-term incentive target awards with an annual value, based on the fair value of the equity award (e.g. Black-Scholes value of options) of $600,000, to be granted as stock options, restricted stock units, or other vehicles as permitted under the Company’s 2005 Omnibus Plan. The initial long-term incentive award will be determined for Dr. Coles in January 2006, and will be granted in quarterly installments beginning in January 2006. The Compensation Committee will adjust the amount of long-term incentive target award value for Dr. Coles when he is appointed CEO. Upon termination without Cause, or termination for Good Reason, the options that would otherwise have vested during the next twenty-four (24) months will vest; and vested options will remain exercisable in accordance with the Company’s standard practice. Eligibility for future stock option grants and other long-term incentive awards are determined by recommendation of the Compensation Committee of the Board, and adoption by the Board.

 

IV.

Relocation

The Company will pay relocation costs in accordance with its policy or as otherwise approved by the Company, which includes standard relocation cost reimbursement. Relocation costs will be grossed-up in accordance with normal practices.

 

V.

Benefits

Dr. Coles will receive the following benefit package, which the Company may revise from time to time, is currently provided to all non-temporary employees that work a minimum of 30 hours per week.

 

 

 

Medical insurance coverage for you and your legal dependents as defined by the Company’s standard insurance plan.

 

 

 

Dental insurance coverage for you and your legal dependents as defined by the Company’s standard insurance plan.

 

 

 

Long-term care insurance.

 

 

 

Short-term disability coverage.

 

 

 

Regular life insurance in the amount of one times your base salary.

 

 

 

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance in the amount of one times your base salary.

 

 

 

Long-term disability coverage.

 

 

 

A 401(k) plan – subject to that plan’s rules- currently the Company will match fifty percent (50%) of your contributions up to three percent (3%) of your annual salary. Fifty percent (50 %) of the Company contribution becomes vested after one (1) year and one hundred percent (100%) is vested after two (2) years of service.

 

 

 

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 days per year, with 7.7 hours earned per full pay period worked.

 

 

 

NPS also grants nine (9) Company holiday days every calendar year.

 

VI.

Restrictive Covenants

As a condition to employment, Dr. Coles agrees to the Company’s Employee Agreement Concerning Invention Assignment, Non-Disclosure and Non-Competition (Employee Noncompete Agreement), attached as Exhibit E. The non-competition covenant required by the Employee Noncompete Agreement shall be waived in the event of a Change in Control, as defined in the Company’s Change in Control Severance Pay Plan (Severance Plan), or in the event Dr. Coles’s employment is terminated without Cause or Dr. Coles resigns for Good Reason.


Employment Agreement

N. Anthony Coles, M.D.

Page 4

 

VII.

Indemnification

Dr. Coles will be indemnified to the same extent the Company indemnifies other officers and/or directors during and following employment and services as a Director. Attached, as Exhibit F, is the Indemnity Agreement.

 

VIII.

Change In Control Protection

 

 

a.

Severance Plan . The Company’s Severance Plan will cover Dr. Coles and allows him to exercise rights under the Severance Plan if his job prospects are materially altered or he is involuntarily terminated (other than for cause) after a Change in Control. The severance benefit for the Chief Operating Officer is twenty-four (24) months of his total cash compensation target payable in a lump sum. Attached, as Exhibit G, is the Company’s Change In Control Severance Pay Plan.

 

 

b.

Gross Up Payment .

 

 

i.

In the event it shall be determined that any compensation, payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Dr. Coles, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the “Severance Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties are incurred by Dr. Coles with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then Dr. Coles shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount retained by Dr. Coles, after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Severance Payments, any Federal, state, and local income tax, employment tax and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment, and any interest and/or penalties assessed with respect to such Excise Tax, shall be equal to the amount Dr. Coles would have received had there been no Excise Tax imposed on the Severance Payments.

 

 

ii.

All determinations required to be made under this subparagraph (b), including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company (the “Accounting Firm”). For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, Dr. Coles shall be deemed to pay Federal income taxes at the highest marginal rate of Federal income taxation applicable to individuals for the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates of individual taxation in the state and locality of Dr. Coles’s residence on the date of the Terminating Event, net of the maximum reduction in Federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Dr. Coles.

 

IX.

Termination Provisions (other than Change in Control)

Dr. Coles is an employee at will, whose employment may be terminated at any time, though he will be entitled to benefits under this Agreement in accordance with its terms. For purposes of this Section IX, the following definitions apply:

 

 

a.

Definitions . For purpose of this section, the following definitions apply.

 

 

i.

Cause . Cause is (a) an act of material dishonesty by Dr. Coles in connection with Dr. Coles’s responsibilities as an employee, (b) Dr. Coles’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony, (c) Dr. Coles’s gross misconduct in connection with the performance or failure of performance of a material component of Dr. Coles’s responsibilities as an employee that is materially injurious to the Company, or (d) Dr. Coles’s continued substantial violations of his employment duties after Dr. Coles has received a written demand for performance from the Company which specifically sets forth the factual basis for the Company’s belief that the Covered Employee has not substantially performed such duties and after Dr. Coles has been provided with a sixty (60) day cure period. In each case, termination shall not be deemed for


Employment Agreement

N. Anthony Coles, M.D.

Page 5

 

 

Cause unless Dr. Coles receives a copy of a resolution duly adopted by a seventy-five percent (75%) vote of the Board of Directors, excluding Dr. Coles at a meeting of the Board of Directors. Dr. Coles will be given reasonable notice of such meeting and will be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors.

 

 

ii.

Good Reason . Good Reason, under this Agreement, is limited to the failure of the Company to name Dr. Coles as CEO.

 

 

b.

Termination by the Company Without Cause . If Dr. Coles is terminated by the Company without Cause, he is entitled to the following:

 

 

i.

Base salary provided under this agreement for the longer of the remainder of the agreement term or twenty-four (24) months.

 

 

ii.

Immediate vesting of the “make-whole” equity awards in Section II (including specifically in Section II.b.iv) above.

 

 

iii.

Other long-term incentive or equity awards that would otherwise have vested during the next twenty-four (24) months will immediately vest.

 

 

iv.

Vested options will remain exercisable for the longer of (a) twenty-four (24) months, or (b) such other period as Dr. Coles may be entitled under any Company stock option plan, grant agreement, or retirement plan.

 

 

c.

Termination by the Company For Cause . If Dr. Coles is terminated by the Company For Cause, he is entitled to the following:

 

 

i.

The “make-whole” equity awards in Section II above, will not be immediately vested.

 

 

ii.

Other long-term incentive or equity awards would not be subject to accelerated vesting.

 

 

iii.

Vested stock options are exercisable for ninety (90) days.

 

 

d.

Termination by Dr. Coles for Good Reason . If Dr. Coles is not named CEO of the Company within six (6) months of his appointment as President and COO, and he elects to terminate his employment, he is entitled to the following:

 

 

i.

Base salary and target annual incentive provided under this agreement for the longer of the remainder of the agreement term or twenty four (24) months.

 

 

ii.

The “make-whole” equity awards in Section II (including specifically in Section II.b.iv) above, will be immediately vested.

 

 

iii.

Other long-term incentive or equity awards that would otherwise have vested during the next twenty-four (24) months will immediately vest.

 

 

iv.

Vested options will remain exercisable for the longer of (a) twenty-four (24) months, or (b) such other period as Dr. Coles may be entitled under any Company stock option plan, grant agreement, or retirement plan.

 

 

e.

Section 409A . To the extent required by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder to avoid imposition of the 20% additional tax, the severance payments set forth in paragraphs b, c and d of this Section IX shall be delayed until at least six (6) months after Dr. Coles’s termination of employment. The severance amounts that would otherwise be payable during the six (6) month period following Dr. Coles’s termination of employment shall be paid in a lump sum in the seventh (7 th ) month following Dr. Coles’s termination of employment.


Employment Agreement

N. Anthony Coles, M.D.

Page 6

 

 

f.

Death or Disability . Upon death or total disability, Dr. Coles (or his estate) will be entitled to:

 

 

i.

A prorated annual incentive and pro-rated long-term incentive (if applicable) based upon the number of weeks of service performed in the performance cycle and based on performance to date as determined by the Board.

 

 

ii.

The “make-whole” equity awards in Section II (including specifically in Section II.b.iv) above, will be immediately vested.

 

 

iii.

Vested options will remain exercisable in accordance with the terms of the 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

 

 

g.

Termination by Dr. Coles for any other reason . If Dr. Coles voluntarily terminates his employment without Good Reason, he is entitled to no further benefits under this Agreement.

 

X.

Misc. Provisions

 

 

a.

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.

 

 

b.

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 the Agreement.

 

 

c.

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.

 

 

d.

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 York, without regard to choice of laws provisions, and the Company and Dr. Coles irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal and state courts located within New York, and courts with appellate jurisdiction therefrom, in connection with any matter based upon or arising out of this Agreement.

 

 

e.

Entire Agreement . This Agreement embodies the entire understanding of the Parties as it relates to the subject matter contained herein and as such, supersedes any prior agreement or understanding between the Parties relating to the terms of employment of Dr. Coles. No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the Parties unless in writing executed by the Parties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NPS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

 

 

 

/ S / N. A NTHONY C OLES

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/ S / H UNTER J ACKSON

 

N. Anthony Coles, M.D.

 

 

 

 

 

Hunter Jackson,

CEO, Chairman of the Board and President

 

 

 

 

Date: October 31, 2005

 

 

 

Date:

 

October 31, 2005


Exhibit A

to the

Employment Agreement

between

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

and

N. Anthony Coles, M.D.

2005 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN


NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Article 1. Establishment, Purpose and Duration

1.1 Establishment.  NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”), establishes an incentive compensation plan to be known as the NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”), as set forth in this document.

This Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards, and Other Stock-Based Awards.

This Plan shall become effective upon stockholder approval (the “Effective Date”) and shall remain in effect as provided in Section 1.3 hereof.

1.2 Purpose of this Plan.  This Plan has been established by the Company to provide a means by which Employees, Directors, and Third Party Service Providers of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may be given the opportunity to benefit from increases in the value of Shares through the granting of Awards under this Plan. The Company seeks to (a) retain the services of present Employees, Directors, and Third Party Service Providers; (b) secure and retain the services of new Employees, Directors, and Third Party Service Providers; and (c) provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and thereby promote the long-term interests of the Company, including the growth in value of the Company’s equity and enhancement of long-term stockholder return.

1.3 Duration of this Plan.  Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Plan shall terminate ten (10) years from the Effective Date. After this Plan is terminated, no Awards may be granted but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and this Plan’s terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted more than ten (10) years after the earlier of the adoption of this Plan by the Board or the Effective Date.

Article 2. Definitions

Whenever used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, and when the meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word shall be capitalized.

2.1 “Affiliate” shall mean any corporation or other entity (including, but not limited to, a partnership or a limited liability company), that is affiliated with the Company through stock or equity ownership or otherwise, and is designated as an Affiliate for purposes of this Plan by the Committee.

2.2 “Annual Award Limit” or “Annual Award Limits” have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

2.3 “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under this Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards, or Other Stock-Based Awards, in each case subject to the terms of this Plan.

2.4 “Award Agreement” means either (a) a written agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under this Plan, or (b) a written or electronic statement issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such Award, including any amendment or modification thereof. The Committee may provide for the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper Award Agreements, and the use of electronic, internet or other non-paper means for the acceptance thereof and actions thereunder by a Participant.

 

1


2.5 “Beneficial Owner” or “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.

2.6 “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.7 “Cash-Based Award” means an Award, denominated in cash, granted to a Participant as described in Article 10.

2.8 “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. For purposes of this Plan, references to sections of the Code shall be deemed to include references to any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or similar provision.

2.9 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof, or any other committee designated by the Board to administer this Plan. If the Committee does not exist or cannot function for any reason, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.

2.10 “Company” means NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc . , a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto as provided in Article 19 herein.

2.11 “Covered Employee” means any salaried Employee who is or may become a “Covered Employee,” as defined in Code Section 162(m), and who is designated, either as an individual Employee or class of Employees, by the Committee within the shorter of (a) ninety (90) days after the beginning of the Performance Period, or (b) twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed, as a “Covered Employee” under this Plan for such applicable Performance Period.

2.12 “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.13 “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.

2.14 “Employee” means any person designated as an employee of the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries on the payroll records thereof. An Employee shall not include any individual during any period he or she is classified or treated by the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary as an independent contractor, a consultant, or any employee of an employment, consulting, or temporary agency or any other entity other than the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary, without regard to whether such individual is subsequently determined to have been, or is subsequently retroactively reclassified as a common-law employee of the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary during such period.

2.15 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto.

2.16 “Fair Market Value” or “FMV” means a price that is based on the opening, closing, actual, high, low, or average selling prices of a Share reported on the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System (“Nasdaq”) or other established stock exchange (or exchanges) on the applicable date, the preceding trading day, the next succeeding trading day, or an average of trading days, as determined by the Committee in its discretion. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Fair Market Value shall be deemed to be equal to the closing price of a Share on the most recent date on which Shares were publicly traded. In the event Shares are not publicly traded at the time a determination of their value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of their Fair Market Value shall be made by the Committee in such manner as it deems appropriate. Such definition(s) of FMV shall be specified in each Award Agreement and may differ depending on whether FMV is in reference to the grant, exercise, vesting, settlement, or payout of an Award.

2.17 “Freestanding SAR” means an SAR that is granted independently of any Options, as described in Article 7.

 

2


2.18 “Full Value Award” means an Award other than in the form of an ISO, NQSO, or SAR, and which is settled by the issuance of Shares.

2.19 “Grant Price” means the price established at the time of grant of a SAR pursuant to Article 7, used to determine whether there is any payment due upon exercise of the SAR.

2.20 “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means an Option to purchase Shares granted under Article 6 to an Employee and that is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and that is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422, or any successor provision.

2.21 “Insider” shall mean an individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer, or Director of the Company, or a more than ten percent (10%) Beneficial Owner of any class of the Company’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined by the Board in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

2.22 “Nonemployee Director ” means a Director who is not an Employee.

2.23 “Nonemployee Director Award” means any NQSO, SAR, or Full Value Award granted, whether singly, in combination, or in tandem, to a Participant who is a Nonemployee Director pursuant to such applicable terms, conditions, and limitations as the Board or Committee may establish in accordance with this Plan.

2.24 “Nonqualified Stock Option” or “NQSO” means an Option that is not intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422, or that otherwise does not meet such requirements.

2.25 “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, as described in Article 6.

2.26 “Option Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.

2.27 “Other Stock-Based Award” means an equity-based or equity-related Award not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan, granted pursuant to Article 10.

2.28 “Participant” means any eligible individual as set forth in Article 5 to whom an Award is granted.

2.29 “Performance-Based Compensation” means compensation under an Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for certain performance-based compensation paid to Covered Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Plan shall be construed to mean that an Award which does not satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m) does not constitute performance-based compensation for other purposes, including Code Section 409A.

2.30 “Performance Measures” means measures as described in Article 11 on which the performance goals are based and which are approved by the Company’s stockholders pursuant to this Plan in order to qualify Awards as Performance-Based Compensation.

2.31 “Performance Period” means the period of time during which the performance goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to an Award.

2.32 “Performance Share” means an Award under Article 9 herein and subject to the terms of this Plan, denominated in Shares, the value of which at the time it is payable is determined as a function of the extent to which corresponding performance criteria have been achieved.

2.33 “Performance Unit” means an Award under Article 9 herein and subject to the terms of this Plan, denominated in units, the value of which at the time it is payable is determined as a function of the extent to which corresponding performance criteria have been achieved.

 

3


2.34 “Period of Restriction” means the period when Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (based on the passage of time, the achievement of performance goals, or upon the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, in its discretion), as provided in Article 8.

2.35 “Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

2.36 “Plan” means the NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

2.37 “Plan Year” means the Company’s fiscal year.

2.38 “Restricted Stock ” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8.

2.39 “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8, except no Shares are actually awarded to the Participant on the date of grant.

2.40 “Share” means a share of common stock of the Company, par value of $.001 per share.

2.41 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award, designated as a SAR, pursuant to the terms of Article 7 herein.

2.42 “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity, whether domestic or foreign, in which the Company has or obtains, directly or indirectly, a proprietary interest of more than fifty percent (50%) by reason of stock ownership or otherwise.

2.43 “Tandem SAR” means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option pursuant to Article 7 herein, the exercise of which shall require forfeiture of the right to purchase a Share under the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the Option, the Tandem SAR shall similarly be canceled).

2.44 “Third Party Service Provider” means any consultant, agent, advisor, or independent contractor who renders services to the Company, a Subsidiary, or an Affiliate that (a) are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital raising transaction, and (b) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

Article 3. Administration

3.1 General.  The Plan shall be administered by or under the direction of the Board unless and until the Board delegates administration to a committee of the Board. The Board may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, agents, and other individuals, any of whom may be an Employee, and the Board, the Company, and its officers and Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions, or valuations of any such individuals. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Board shall be final and binding upon the Participants, the Company, and all other interested individuals.

3.2 Authority of the Board.  The Board shall have full and exclusive discretionary power to interpret the terms and the intent of this Plan and any Award Agreement or other agreement or document ancillary to or in connection with this Plan, to determine eligibility for Awards and to adopt such rules, regulations, forms, instruments, and guidelines for administering this Plan as the Board may deem necessary or proper. Such authority shall include, but not be limited to, selecting Award recipients, establishing all Award terms and conditions, including the terms and conditions set forth in Award Agreements, granting Awards as an alternative to or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or due under compensation plans or arrangements of the Company, construing any ambiguous provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, and, subject to Article 16, adopting modifications and amendments to this Plan or any Award Agreement, including without limitation, any that are necessary to comply with the laws of the countries and other jurisdictions in which the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries operate.

 

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3.3 Delegation.

 

 

(a)

The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Board committee composed of not fewer than two members. All members of such committee shall be Nonemployee Directors, to the extent necessary to comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3, Section 162(m) and the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market. If administration is delegated to a committee, the committee shall have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board (and references in this Plan to the Board shall in such event, be to the committee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan.

 

 

(b)

The Board may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Company, and/or its Subsidiaries and Affiliates or to one or more agents or advisors such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable, and the Board or any individuals to whom it has delegated duties or powers as aforesaid may employ one or more individuals to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Board or such individuals may have under this Plan. The Board may, by resolution, authorize one or more officers of the Company to do one or both of the following on the same basis as can the Board: (1) designate Employees to be recipients of Awards; and (2) determine the size of any such Awards; provided, however, (i) the Board shall not delegate such responsibilities to any such officer for Awards granted to an Employee who is considered an Insider; (ii) the resolution providing such authorization sets forth the total number of Awards such officer(s) may grant; and (iii) the officer(s) shall report periodically to the Board regarding the nature and scope of the Awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated.

Article 4. Shares Subject to this Plan and Maximum Awards

4.1 Number of Shares Available for Awards.

 

 

(a)

Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4 herein, the maximum number of Shares available for grant to Participants under this Plan shall be two million seven hundred thousand (2,700,000) Shares (the “Share Authorization”).

 

 

(b)

The maximum number of Shares of the Share Authorization that may be issued pursuant to ISOs under this Plan shall be two million seven hundred thousand (2,700,000) Shares.

4.2 Share Usage.  Shares covered by an Award shall only be counted as used to the extent they are actually issued. Any Shares related to Awards which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such Shares, are settled in cash in lieu of Shares, or are exchanged with the Board’s permission, prior to the issuance of Shares, for Awards not involving Shares, shall be available again for grant under this Plan. Moreover, if the Option Price of any Option granted under this Plan or the tax withholding requirements with respect to any Award granted under this Plan are satisfied by tendering Shares to the Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation), or if an SAR is exercised, only the number of Shares issued, net of the Shares tendered, if any, will be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for delivery under this Plan. The Shares available for issuance under this Plan may be authorized and unissued Shares or treasury Shares.

4.3 Annual Award Limits.  Unless and until the Board determines that an Award to a Covered Employee shall not be designed to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the following limits (each an “Annual Award Limit” and, collectively, “Annual Award Limits”) shall apply to grants of such Awards under this Plan:

 

 

(a)

Options.  The maximum aggregate number of Shares subject to Options granted in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall be one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) plus the amount of the Participant’s unused applicable Annual Award Limit for Options as of the close of the previous Plan Year.

 

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(b)

SARs.  The maximum number of Shares subject to Stock Appreciation Rights granted in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) plus the amount of the Participant’s unused applicable Annual Award Limit for SARs as of the close of the previous Plan Year.

 

 

(c)

Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.  The maximum aggregate grant with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall be eighty thousand (80,000) plus the amount of the Participant’s unused applicable Annual Award Limit for Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units as of the close of the previous Plan Year.

 

 

(d)

Performance Units or Performance Shares.  The maximum aggregate Award of Performance Units or Performance Shares that a Participant may receive in any one Plan Year shall be eighty thousand (80,000) Shares, or equal to the value of eighty thousand (80,000) Shares determined as of the date of vesting or payout, as applicable plus the amount of the Participant’s unused applicable Annual Award Limit for Performance Units or Performance Shares as of the close of the previous Plan Year.

 

 

(e)

Cash-Based Awards.  The maximum aggregate amount awarded or credited with respect to Cash-Based Awards to any one Participant in any one Plan Year may not exceed the value of one million dollars ($1,000,000), plus the amount of the Participant’s unused applicable Annual Award Limit as of the close of the previous Plan Year.

 

 

(f)

Other Stock-Based Awards.  The maximum aggregate grant with respect to Other Stock-Based Awards pursuant to Section 10.2 in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall be eighty thousand (80,000) plus the amount of the Participant’s unused applicable Annual Award Limit for Other Stock-Based Awards as of the close of the previous Plan Year.

4.4 Adjustments in Authorized Shares.  In the event of any corporate event or transaction (including, but not limited to, a change in the Shares of the Company or the capitalization of the Company) such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, separation, partial or complete liquidation, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, or other distribution of stock or property of the Company, combination of Shares, exchange of Shares, dividend in kind, or other like change in capital structure, number of outstanding Shares or distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to shareholders of the Company, or any similar corporate event or transaction, the Board, in its sole discretion, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under this Plan, shall substitute or adjust, as applicable, the number and kind of Shares that may be issued under this Plan or under particular forms of Awards, the number and kind of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, the Option Price or Grant Price applicable to outstanding Awards, the Annual Award Limits, and other value determinations applicable to outstanding Awards. The Board, in its sole discretion, may also make appropriate adjustments in the terms of any Awards under this Plan to reflect or related to such changes or distributions and to modify any other terms of outstanding Awards. The determination of the Board as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be conclusive and binding on Participants under this Plan.

Subject to the provisions of Article 16 and notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, without affecting the number of Shares reserved or available hereunder, the Board may authorize the issuance or assumption of benefits under this Plan in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate (including, but not limited to, a conversion of equity awards into Awards under this Plan in a manner consistent with paragraph 53 of FASB Interpretation No. 44), subject to compliance with the rules under Code Sections 422 and 424, as and where applicable.

 

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Article 5. Eligibility and Participation

5.1 Eligibility.  Individuals eligible to participate in this Plan include all Employees, Directors, and Third Party Service Providers.

5.2 Actual Participation.  Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Board may, from time to time, select from all eligible individuals, those individuals to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine, in its sole discretion, the nature of, any and all terms permissible by law, and the amount of each Award.

Article 6. Stock Options

6.1 Grant of Options.  Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, Options may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion; provided that ISOs may be granted only to eligible Employees of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary corporation (as permitted under Code Sections 422 and 424). However, an Employee who is employed by an Affiliate and/or Subsidiary and is subject to Code Section 409A, may only be granted Options to the extent the Affiliate and/or Subsidiary is part of the Company’s consolidated group for United States federal tax purposes.

6.2 Award Agreement.  Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the maximum duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, the conditions upon which an Option shall become vested and exercisable, and such other provisions as the Board shall determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan. The Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or a NQSO.

6.3 Option Price.  The Option Price for each grant of an Option under this Plan shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion and shall be specified in the Award Agreement; provided, however, the Option Price on the date of grant must be at least equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the FMV of the Shares as determined on the date of grant.

6.4 Term of Options.  Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time as the Board shall determine at the time of grant; provided, however, no Option shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10 th ) anniversary date of its grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Nonqualified Stock Options granted to Participants outside the United States, the Board has the authority to grant Nonqualified Stock Options that have a term greater than ten (10) years.

6.5 Exercise of Options.  Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Board shall in each instance approve, which terms and restrictions need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant.

6.6 Payment.  Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercised by the delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company or an agent designated by the Company in a form specified or accepted by the Board, or by complying with any alternative procedures which may be authorized by the Board, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares.

A condition of the issuance of the Shares as to which an Option shall be exercised shall be the payment of the Option Price. The Option Price of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full either: (a) in cash or its equivalent; (b) by tendering (either by actual delivery or attestation) previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the Option Price (provided that except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Shares that are tendered must have been held by the Participant for at least six (6) months (or such other period, if any, as the Board may permit) prior to their tender to satisfy the Option Price if acquired under this Plan or any other compensation plan maintained by the Company or have been purchased on the open market); (c) pursuant to a broker-assisted exercise same-day sales program; (d) by a combination of (a) (b), and (c); or (e) any other method approved or accepted by the Board in its sole discretion.

 

7


Subject to any governing rules or regulations, as soon as practicable after receipt of written notification of exercise and full payment (including satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding), the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry Shares, or upon the Participant’s request, Share certificates in an appropriate amount based upon the number of Shares purchased under the Option(s).

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, all payments under all of the methods indicated above shall be paid in United States dollars.

6.7 Restrictions on Share Transferability.  The Board may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under this Article 6 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, minimum holding period requirements, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, or under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.

6.8 Termination of Employment.  Each Participant’s Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Participant’s employment or provision of services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to this Article 6, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

6.9 Notification of Disqualifying Disposition.  If any Participant shall make any disposition of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of an ISO under the circumstances described in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition prior to the end of the calendar year in which such disposition occurred.

6.10 Retirement of Participant.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Plan, in the event a Participant’s employment as an Employee, or service as a Director or Third Party Service Provider terminates due to a Participant’s Retirement, the Participant shall vest in that number of Shares subject to the Option that would have vested had the Participant remained an Employee, Director, or Third Party Service Provider for an additional two (2) years from the date of Retirement. In addition, the Option shall remain exercisable until the expiration of its term. For purposes of this paragraph, “Retirement” shall mean the termination of service of a Participant with the Company, a Subsidiary, or an Affiliate on or after the date on which the Participant’s number of completed years of service with the Company, a Subsidiary, or Affiliate and age equal or exceed seventy (70) (including termination due to death or Disability after such time).

Article 7. Stock Appreciation Rights

7.1 Grant of SARs.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, SARs may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Board. The Board may grant Freestanding SARs, Tandem SARs, or any combination of these forms of SARs. However, an Employee who is employed by an Affiliate and/or Subsidiary and is subject to Code Section 409A, may only be granted SARs to the extent the Affiliate and/or Subsidiary is part of the Company’s consolidated group for United States federal tax purposes.

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, the Board shall have complete discretion in determining the number of SARs granted to each Participant and, consistent with the provisions of this Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs.

The Grant Price for each grant of a Freestanding SAR shall be determined by the Board and shall be specified in the Award Agreement; provided, however, the Grant Price on the date of grant must be at least equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the FMV of the Shares as determined on the date of grant. The Grant Price of Tandem SARs shall be equal to the Option Price of the related Option.

 

8


7.2 SAR Agreement.  Each SAR Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Grant Price, the term of the SAR, and such other provisions as the Board shall determine.

7.3 Term of SAR.  The term of an SAR granted under this Plan shall be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, and except as determined otherwise by the Board and specified in the SAR Award Agreement, no SAR shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10 th ) anniversary date of its grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for SARs granted to Participants outside the United States, the Board has the authority to grant SARs that have a term greater than ten (10) years.

7.4 Exercise of Freestanding SARs.  Freestanding SARs may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Board, in its sole discretion, imposes.

7.5. Exercise of Tandem SARs.  Tandem SARs may be exercised for all or part of the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of the right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option. A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, with respect to a Tandem SAR granted in connection with an ISO: (a) the Tandem SAR will expire no later than the expiration of the underlying ISO; (b) the value of the payout with respect to the Tandem SAR may be for no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the underlying ISO at the time the Tandem SAR is exercised over the Option Price of the underlying ISO; and (c) the Tandem SAR may be exercised only when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the ISO exceeds the Option Price of the ISO.

7.6 Settlement of SAR Amount.  Upon the exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the Grant Price by the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

At the discretion of the Board, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, Shares, or any combination thereof, or in any other manner approved by the Board in its sole discretion. The Board’s determination regarding the form of SAR payout shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the SAR.

7.7 Termination of Employment.  Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the SAR following termination of the Participant’s employment with or provision of services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with Participants, need not be uniform among all SARs issued pursuant to this Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

7.8 Other Restrictions.  The Board shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any Shares received upon exercise of a SAR granted pursuant to this Plan as it may deem advisable or desirable. These restrictions may include, but shall not be limited to, a requirement that the Participant hold the Shares received upon exercise of a SAR for a specified period of time.

Article 8. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.  Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Board, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units to Participants in such amounts as the Board shall determine. Restricted Stock Units shall be similar to Restricted Stock except that no Shares are actually awarded to the Participant on the date of grant.

8.2 Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.  Each Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Unit grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period(s) of Restriction, if any, the number of Shares of Restricted Stock or the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and such other provisions as the Board shall determine.

 

9


8.3 Other Restrictions.  The Board shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions, if any, on any Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to this Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each Share of Restricted Stock or each Restricted Stock Unit, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals, time-based restrictions on vesting following the attainment of the performance goals, time-based restrictions, and/or restrictions under applicable laws or under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are listed or traded, or holding requirements or sale restrictions placed on the Shares by the Company upon vesting of such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.

To the extent deemed appropriate by the Board, the Company may retain the certificates representing Shares of Restricted Stock in the Company’s possession until such time as all conditions and/or restrictions applicable to such Shares have been satisfied or lapse.

Except as otherwise provided in this Article 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock Award shall become freely transferable by the Participant after all conditions and restrictions applicable to such Shares have been satisfied or lapse (including satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding obligations), and Restricted Stock Units shall be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares as the Board, in its sole discretion shall determine.

8.4 Certificate Legend.  In addition to any legends placed on certificates pursuant to Section 8.3, each certificate representing Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to this Plan may bear a legend such as the following or as otherwise determined by the Board in its sole discretion:

THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE, WHETHER VOLUNTARY, INVOLUNTARY, OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE NPS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 2005 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN, AND IN THE ASSOCIATED AWARD AGREEMENT. A COPY OF THIS PLAN AND SUCH AWARD AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM NPS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

8.5 Voting Rights.  Unless otherwise determined by the Board and set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by law, as determined by the Board, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may be granted the right to exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares during the Period of Restriction. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder.

8.6 Termination of Employment.  Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units following termination of the Participant’s employment with or provision of services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units issued pursuant to this Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

8.7 Section 83(b) Election.  The Board may provide in an Award Agreement that the Award of Restricted Stock is conditioned upon the Participant making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Code Section 83(b). If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Code Section 83(b) concerning a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall be required to file promptly a copy of such election with the Company.

Article 9. Performance Units/Performance Shares

9.1 Grant of Performance Units/Performance Shares.  Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Board, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance Units and/or Performance Shares to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms as the Board shall determine.

 

10


9.2 Value of Performance Units/Performance Shares.  Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Board at the time of grant. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. The Board shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the value and/or number of Performance Units/Performance Shares that will be paid out to the Participant.

9.3 Earning of Performance Units/Performance Shares.  Subject to the terms of this Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Performance Shares shall be entitled to receive payout on the value and number of Performance Units/Performance Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved.

9.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Performance Shares.  Payment of earned Performance Units/Performance Shares shall be as determined by the Board and as evidenced in the Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Board, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Performance Shares in the form of cash or in Shares (or in a combination thereof) equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Performance Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as practicable after the end of the Performance Period. Any Shares may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Board. The determination of the Board with respect to the form of payout of such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the Award.

9.5 Termination of Employment.  Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain Performance Units and/or Performance Shares following termination of the Participant’s employment with or provision of services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Awards of Performance Units or Performance Shares issued pursuant to this Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

Article 10. Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

10.1 Grant of Cash-Based Awards.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Board, at any time and from time to time, may grant Cash-Based Awards to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms as the Board may determine.

10.2 Other Stock-Based Awards.  The Board may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related Awards not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted Shares) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Board shall determine. Such Awards may involve the transfer of actual Shares to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Shares and may include, without limitation, Awards designed to comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws of jurisdictions other than the United States.

10.3 Value of Cash-Based and Other Stock-Based Awards.  Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a payment amount or payment range as determined by the Board. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of Shares or units based on Shares, as determined by the Board. The Board may establish performance goals in its discretion. If the Board exercises its discretion to establish performance goals, the number and/or value of Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance goals are met.

10.4 Payment of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards.  Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award or an Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash or Shares as the Board determines.

10.5 Termination of Employment.  The Board shall determine the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards following termination of the Participant’s employment with or provision of services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the

 

11


case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board, such provisions may be included in an agreement entered into with each Participant, but need not be uniform among all Awards of Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

Article 11. Transferability of Awards

11.1 Transferability.  Except as provided in Section 11.2 below, during a Participant’s lifetime, his or her Awards shall be exercisable only by the Participant. Awards shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; no Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind; and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void. The Board may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate for a Participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any amounts payable or Shares deliverable in the event of, or following, the Participant’s death, may be provided.

11.2 Board Action.  The Board may, in its discretion, determine that notwithstanding Section 11.1, any or all Awards (other than ISOs) shall be transferable to and exercisable by such transferees, and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Board may deem appropriate; provided, however, no Award may be transferred for value (as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended).

11.3 Domestic Relations Orders.  Without limiting the generality of Section 11.1, and notwithstanding Section 11.2, no domestic relations order purporting to authorize a transfer of an Award shall be recognized as valid.

Article 12. Performance Measures

12.1 Performance Measures.  The performance goals upon which the payment or vesting of an Award to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be limited to the following Performance Measures:

 

 

(a)

net earnings or net income (before or after taxes);

 

 

(b)

earnings per share;

 

 

(c)

net sales or revenue growth;

 

 

(d)

net operating profit;

 

 

(e)

return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity, sales, or revenue);

 

 

(f)

cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on equity, and cash flow return on investment);

 

 

(g)

earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and/or amortization;

 

 

(h)

gross or operating margins;

 

 

(i)

productivity ratios;

 

 

(j)

Share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return);

 

 

(k)

expense targets;

 

 

(l)

margins;

 

 

(m)

operating efficiency;

 

 

(n)

market share;

 

 

(o)

customer satisfaction;

 

 

(p)

working capital targets;

 

 

(q)

economic value added or EVA ® (net operating profit after tax minus the sum of capital multiplied by the cost of capital); and

 

 

(r)

product development.

Any Performance Measures may be used to measure the performance of the Company, Subsidiary, and/or Affiliate as a whole or any business unit of the Company, Subsidiary, and/or Affiliate or any combination thereof, as the Board may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Measures as compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or published or special index that the Board, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or the Company may select Performance Measure (j) above as compared to various stock market indices. The Board also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of performance goals pursuant to the Performance Measures specified in this Article 12.

 

12


12.2 Evaluation of Performance.  The Board may provide in any such Award that any evaluation of performance may include or exclude any of the following events that occurs during a Performance Period: (a) asset write-downs, (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs, (e) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to shareholders for the applicable year, (f) acquisitions or divestitures, and (g) foreign exchange gains and losses. To the extent such inclusions or exclusions affect Awards to Covered Employees, they shall be prescribed in a form that meets the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for deductibility.

12.3 Adjustment of Performance-Based Compensation.  Awards that are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation may not be adjusted upward. The Board shall retain the discretion to adjust such Awards downward, either on a formula or discretionary basis or any combination, as the Board determines.

12.4 Board Discretion.  In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Board discretion to alter the governing Performance Measures without obtaining shareholder approval of such changes, the Bo


 
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