EXHIBIT 10.5
Tatum CFO Partners, LLP
Interim Executive Services
Agreement
August 1, 2005
Mr. Javier Baz
Chairman
Lifeline Therapeutics, Inc.
6400 S. Fiddler’s Green Circle, Suite 1750
Englewood, CO 80111
Dear Javier:
Tatum CFO Partners, LLP
(“Tatum”) understands that Lifeline Therapeutics, Inc.
(the “Company”) desires to engage a partner of Tatum to
serve as interim chief executive officer. This Interim Executive
Services Agreement sets forth the conditions under which such
services will be provided.
Services; Fees
Tatum will make available to the
Company Brenda March (the “Tatum Partner”) as of July
19, 2005 (“Effective Date”), who will serve as interim
chief executive officer of the Company. The Tatum Partner will
become an employee and, a duly elected or appointed officer of the
Company and subject to the supervision and direction of the board
of directors of the Company. Tatum will have no control or
supervision over the Tatum Partner.
The Company will pay the Tatum
Partner directly a salary of $1,200.00 a day
(“Salary”). During the term of this agreement the
Company will also issue to the Tatum Partner warrants to purchase
2,400 shares of common stock per month, or prorated for each
fraction of a month, payable within five business days after the
end of the month for which they apply, with the exercise price of
each warrant equal to the VWAP (as defined below) for that month
and with an exercise period of two years. The “VWAP”
means, for each month, the volume weighted average trading price
for the Company’s common stock for each Friday in that month
determined by multiplying the number of shares of common stock in
each trade made on each Friday in that month by the sale price for
that trade, and dividing the sum of all those amounts for all
Fridays in that month by the total number of shares of common stock
traded during all of the Fridays in that month.
In addition, the Company will pay
directly to Tatum a fee of $300.00 a day as partial compensation
for resources provided. During the term of this agreement the
Company will also issue to Tatum warrants to purchase 600 shares of
common stock per month, or prorated for each fraction of a month,
payable within five business days after the end of the month for
which they apply, with the exercise price of each warrant equal to
the VWAP for that month and with an exercise period of two
years.
The Company will have no
obligation to provide the Tatum Partner any health or major medical
benefits, stock, or bonus payments. The Tatum Partner will remain
on his or her current medical plan.
As an employee, the Tatum Partner
will be eligible for any Company employee retirement and/or 401(k)
plan and for vacation and holidays consistent with the
Company’s policy as it applies to senior management, and the
Tatum Partner will be exempt from any delay periods otherwise
required for eligibility.
Payments;
Deposit
Payments to Tatum should be made
by direct deposit through the Company’s payroll, or by an
automated clearing house (“ACH”) payment at the same
time as payments are made to the Tatum Partner. If such payment
method is not available and payments are made by check, Tatum will
issue invoices to the Company, and the Company agrees to pay such
invoices no later than ten (10) days after receipt of
invoices.
The Company will reimburse the
Tatum Partner directly for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Tatum Partner in providing services hereunder to the same extent
that the Company is responsible for such expenses of senior
managers of the Company.
Company agrees to pay Tatum and
to maintain a security deposit of $0.00 for the Company’s
future payment obligations to both Tatum and the Tatum Partner
under this agreement (the “Deposit”). If the Company
breaches this agreement and fails to cure such breach as provided
in this agreement, Tatum will be entitled to apply the Deposit to
its damages resulting from such breach. Upon termination or
expiration of this agreement, Tatum will return to the Company the
balance of the Deposit remaining after application of any amounts
to unfulfilled payment obligations of the Company to Tatum or the
Tatum Partner as provided for in this agreement.
Converting Interim to
Permanent
The Company will have the
opportunity to make the Tatum Partner a permanent member of Company
management at any time during the term of this agreement by
entering into another form of Tatum agreement, the terms of which
will be negotiated at such time.
Hiring Tatum Partner Outside
of Agreement
During the twelve (12)-month
period following termination or expiration of this agreement, other
than in connection with another Tatum agreement, the Company will
not employ the Tatum Partner, or engage the Tatum Partner as an
independent contractor, to render services of substantially the
same nature as those to be performed by the Tatum Partner as
contemplated by this agreement. The parties recognize and
agree that a breach by the Company of this provision would result
in the loss to Tatum of the Tatum Partner’s valuable
expertise and revenue potential and that such injury will be
impossible or very difficult to ascertain. Therefore, in the
event this provision is breached, Tatum will be entitled to receive
as liquidated damages an amount equal to twenty-five percent (25%)
of the Tatum Partner’s Annualized Compensation (as defined
below), which amount the parties agree is reasonably proportionate
to the probable loss to Tatum and is not intended as a penalty.
If, however, a court or arbitrator, as applicable, determines
that liquidated damages are not appropriate for such breach, Tatum
will have the right to seek actual damages. The amount will
be due and payable to Tatum upon written demand to the Company.
For this purpose, “Annualized Compensation” will
mean monthly salary equivalent to what the Tatum Partner would
receive on a full-time basis under this agreement multiplied by
twelve (12), plus the maximum amount of any bonus for which
the Tatum Partner was eligible with respect to the then current
bonus year.
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Term &
Termination
Effective upon thirty (30)
days’ advance written notice, the Company may terminate this
agreement at any time, such termination to be effective on the date
specified in the notice, provided that such date is no earlier than
thirty (30) days after the date of delivery of the notice. Tatum
will continue to render services and will be paid during such
notice period. Tatum may terminate this agreement on the same terms
and conditions described in the preceding two sentences, except
that (i) any notice of termination by Tatum cannot be delivered
prior to 30 days before the six-month anniversary of the effective
date of this agreement, and (ii) any such termination by Tatum
cannot be effective before the six-month anniversary of this
agreement.
Tatum retains the right to
terminate this agreement immediately if (1) the Company is engaged
in or asks the Tatum Partner to engage in or to ignore any illegal
or unethical activity, (2) the Tatum Partner dies or becomes
disabled, (3) the Tatum Partner ceases to be a partner of Tatum for
any other reason, or (4) upon written notice by Tatum of
non-payment by the Company of amounts due under this agreement. For
purposes of this agreement, disability will be as defined by the
applicable policy of disability insurance or, in the absence of
such insurance, by Tatum’s management acting in good
faith.
In the event that either party
commits a breach of this agreement, other than for reasons
described in the above paragraph, and fails to cure the same within
seven (7) days following delivery by the non-breaching party of
written notice specifying the nature of the breach, the
non-breaching party will have the right to terminate this agreement
immediately effective upon written notice of such
termination.
Insurance
The Company will maintain its
current directors’ and officers’ insurance, or a policy
substantially as beneficial to the Tatum Partner, at all times
while this agreement remains in effect.
Furthermore, the Company will
maintain such insurance coverage with respect to occurrences
arising during the term of this agreement for at least three years
following the termination or expiration of this agreement or will
purchase a directors’ and officers’ extended reporting
period, or “tail,” policy to cover the Tatum
Partner.
Disclaimers, Limitations of
Liability & Indemnity
Tatum assumes no responsibility
or liability under this agreement other than to render the services
called for hereunder and will not be responsible for any action
taken by the Company in following or declining to follow any of
Tatum’s advice or recommendations. Tatum represents to the
Company that Tatum has conducted its standard screening and
investigation procedures with respect to the Tatum Partner becoming
a partner in Tatum, and the results of the same were satisfactory
to Tatum. Tatum disclaims all other warranties, either express or
implied. Without limiting the foregoing, Tatum makes no
representation or warranty as to the accuracy or reliability of
reports, projections, forecasts, or any other information derived
from use of Tatum’s resources, and Tatum will not be liable
for any claims of reliance on such reports, projections, forecasts,
or information. Tatum will not be liable for any non-compliance of
reports, projections, forecasts, or information or services with
federal, state, or local laws or regulations. Such reports,
projections, forecasts, or information or services are for the sole
benefit of the Company and not any unnamed third
parties.
In the event that any partner of
Tatum (including without limitation the Tatum Partner to the extent
not otherwise entitled in his or her capacity as an officer of the
Company) is subpoenaed or otherwise required to appear as a witness
or Tatum or such partner is required to provide evidence, in either
case in connection with any action, suit, or other proceeding
initiated by a third party or by the Company against a third party,
then the Company shall reimburse Tatum for the costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys’ fees) actually incurred by
Tatum or such partner and provide Tatum with compensation at
Tatum’s customary rate for the time incurred.
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The Company agrees that, with
respect to any claims the Company may assert against Tatum in
connection with this agreement or the relationship arising
hereunder, Tatum’s total liability will not exceed the total
amount paid to Tatum and the Tatum Partner hereunder.
Tatum will not be liable in any
event for incidental, consequential, punitive, or special damages,
including without limitation, any interruption of business or loss
of business, profit, or goodwill.
Arbitration
If the parties are unable to
resolve any dispute arising out of or in connection with this
agreement, either party may refer the dispute to arbitration by a
single arbitrator selected by the parties according to the rules of
the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), and the
decision of the arbitrator will be final and binding on both
parties. Such arbitration will be conducted by the Denver,
Colorado, office of the AAA. In the event that the parties fail to
agree on the selection of the arbitrator within thirty (30) days
after either party’s request for arbitration under this
paragraph, the arbitrator will be chosen by AAA. The arbitrator may
in his discretion order documentary discovery but shall not allow
depositions without a showing of compelling need. The arbitrator
will render his decision within ninety (90) days after the call for
arbitration. The arbitrator will have no authority to award
punitive damages. Judgment on the award of the arbitrator may be
entered in and enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction. The
arbitrator will have no authority to award damages in excess or in
contravention of this agreement and may not amend or disregard any
provision of this agreement, including this paragraph.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may seek appropriate
injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction, and
either party may seek injunctive relief in any court of competent
jurisdiction.
Miscellaneous
Tatum will be entitled to receive
all reasonable costs and expenses incidental to the collection of
overdue amounts under this Resources Agreement, including but not
limited to attorneys’ fees actually incurred.
Neither the Company nor Tatum
will be deemed to have waived any rights or remedies accruing under
this agreement unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the
party electing to waive the right or remedy. This agreement binds
and benefits the respective successors of Tatum and the
Company.
Neither party will be liable for
any delay or failure to perform under this agreement (other than
with respect to payment obligations) to the extent such delay or
failure is a result of an act of God, war, earthquake, civil
disobedience, court order, labor dispute, or other cause beyond
such party’s reasonable control.
The provisions concerning payment
of compensation and reimbursement of costs and expenses, limitation
of liability, directors’ and officers’ insurance, and
arbitration will survive the expiration or any termination of this
agreement.
This agreement will be governed
by and construed in all respects in accordance with the laws of the
State of Colorado, without giving effect to conflicts-of-laws
principles.
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The terms of this agreement are
severable and may not be amended except in writing signed by the
party to be bound. If any portion of this agreement is found to be
unenforceable, the rest of the agreement will be enforceable except
to the extent that the severed provision deprives either party of a
substantial benefit of its bargain.
Nothing in this agreement shall
confer any rights upon any person or entity other than the parties
hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and
the Tatum Partner.
Each person signing below is
authorized to sign on behalf of the party indicated, and in each
case such signature is the only one necessary.
Bank Lockbox Mailing Address
for Deposit and Fees:
Tatum CFO Partners, LLP
P.O. Box 403291
Atlanta, GA 30384-3291
Electronic
Payment Instructions for Deposit and Fees:
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Bank Name: Bank of America
Branch: Atlanta
Routing Number: For
ACH Payments: 061 000 052
For
Wires: 026 009 593
Account Name: Tatum CFO Partners, LLP
Account Number: 003 279 247 763
Please reference Lifeline
Therapeutics,
Inc.
in the body of the wire.
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Please sign below and return a
signed copy of this letter to indicate the Company’s
agreement with its terms and conditions.
We look forward to serving
you.
Sincerely yours,
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TATUM CFO
PARTNERS, LLP
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Acknowledged
and agreed by:
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/s/ Doug
Payne
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Lifeline
Therapeutics, Inc.
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Signature
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/s/ Javier
Baz
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_____________________________
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Signature
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Doug
Payne
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______________________________
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Javier
Baz
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Area Managing
Partner for TATUM CFO
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______________________________
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PARTNERS,
LLP
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Chairman
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______________________________
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(Date)
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5
STOCK WARRANT AGREEMENT
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Company:
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Lifeline
Therapeutics, Inc .
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Holder:
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Brenda
March
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Total Shares of Company’s $.001
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Par Value
Common Stock Subject to
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Warrant (the
“Shares”):
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2,400 per
month
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Exercise Price Per Share:
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$ [VWAP for
the month (as computed in the
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Interim
Executive Services Agreement)]
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Date of Grant:
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____________,
20___
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Vesting Schedule:
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Date :
Number or % of Shares :
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Immediate
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Expiration
Date:
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2nd anniversary
of Date of Grant
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The Company’s Board of
Directors has approved a warrant grant to Holder, and Holder agrees
to such grant, under the terms of this Stock Warrant Agreement
(“Agreement”) in connection with the Company’s
retention of Holder for performance of services:
1. Grant
. The Company hereby grants to Holder a warrant (the "Warrant") to
purchase the Shares. The Warrant is not intended to qualify as an
incentive stock warrant for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended.
2.
Exercise .
(a) Holder or its duly authorized
representative may only exercise the Warrant with respect to Shares
that have vested, at the Exercise Price attributable to those
Shares, at any time from the Date of Grant through the Expiration
Date (the “Exercise Period”). No portion of the Warrant
is exercisable after the Exercise Period. The Shares will vest
during the period in which the Holder’s agreement to provide
services has not expired or been terminated in accordance with the
Vesting Schedule above, subject to the terms of Paragraph 4
below.
(b) To exercise the Warrant, Holder
or its representative must deliver to the Company (i) a duly
executed notice of exercise in the form of Exhibit A
attached hereto and incorporated by this reference, specifying the
number of Shares to be purchased by the exercise, and (ii) full
payment of the Exercise Price for each such Share. The Exercise
Price may be paid by (i) cash, check or wire transfer; (ii)
Holder’s election to ca