8K for results of Annual Meeting
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
__________________
FORM
8-K
Current
Report
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
__________________
Date
of
Report (Date of earliest event reported):
June
6, 2006
BIOSANTE
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
|
001-31812
|
58-2301143
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
|
(Commission
File Number)
|
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification Number)
|
111
Barclay Boulevard
Lincolnshire,
Illinois
|
60069
|
(Address
of principal executive offices)
|
(Zip
Code)
|
(847)
478-0500
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former
name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check
the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
£ |
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR
230.425)
|
£ |
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
|
£ |
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.14d-2(b))
|
£ |
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.13e-4(c))
|
Section
1 — Registrant’s Business and Operations
Item
1.01 Entry
into a Material Definitive Agreement
On
June
6, 2006, the stockholders of BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. approved and adopted
amendments to the BioSante
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Plan
to
increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the
plan by 1,000,000 shares, from 2,000,000 shares to 3,000,000 shares and to
eliminate BioSante’s ability to reprice outstanding stock options without
obtaining stockholder approval. A general description of the material features
of the BioSante
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Plan, as amended to
reflect these two amendments, is contained
in BioSante’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2006 annual
meeting of stockholders as filed by BioSante with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 28, 2006. A copy of the BioSante
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Plan
is filed
as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item
7.01 Regulation
FD Disclosure
The
annual meeting of stockholders of BioSante was held on June 6, 2006. All
proposals submitted to BioSante’s stockholders for their consideration at the
meeting, including the election of seven persons to serve as directors of
BioSante until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective
successors are elected and qualified, amendments to the BioSante
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Plan and the ratification
of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as BioSante’s independent
registered public accounting firm were approved by BioSante’s
stockholders.
Item
9.01 Financial
Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit
No.
|
Description
|
10.1
|
BioSante
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Plan (filed
herewith)
|
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.
BIOSANTE
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By:
/s/
Stephen M. Simes
Stephen
M. Simes
President
and Chief Executive Officer
Dated:
June 9, 2006
BIOSANTE
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CURRENT
REPORT ON FORM 8-K
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No.
|
Description
|
Method
of Filing
|
10.1
|
BioSante
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Plan
|
Filed
herewith
|
BioSante amended and restated 1998 stock plan
BIOSANTE
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
AMENDED
AND RESTATED 1998 STOCK PLAN
(As
amended through June 6, 2006)
1. Purpose
of Plan.
The
purpose of the BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1998 Stock Plan (the “Plan”) is to
advance the interests of BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) and its
stockholders by enabling the Company and its Subsidiaries to attract and retain
persons of ability to perform services for the Company and its Subsidiaries
by
providing an incentive to such individuals through equity participation in
the
Company and by rewarding such individuals who contribute to the achievement
by
the Company of its economic objectives.
2. Definitions.
The
following terms will have the meanings set forth below, unless the context
clearly otherwise requires:
2.1 “Board”
means
the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.2 “Broker
Exercise Notice”
means
a
written notice pursuant to which a Participant, upon exercise of an Option,
irrevocably instructs a broker or dealer to sell a sufficient number of shares
or loan a sufficient amount of money to pay all or a portion of the exercise
price of the Option and/or any related withholding tax obligations and remit
such sums to the Company and directs the Company to deliver stock certificates
to be issued upon such exercise directly to such broker or dealer.
2.3 “Change
in Control”
means
an event described in Section 10.1 of the Plan.
2.4 “Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
2.5 “Committee”
means
the group of individuals administering the Plan, as provided in Section 3
of the Plan.
2.6 “Common
Stock”
means
the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, or the number
and
kind of shares of stock or other securities into which such common stock may
be
changed in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Plan.
2.7 “Disability”
means
the disability of the Participant such as would entitle the Participant to
receive disability income benefits pursuant to the long-term disability plan
of
the Company or Subsidiary then covering the Participant or, if no such plan
exists or is applicable to the Participant, the permanent and total disability
of the Participant within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the
Code.
2.8 “Eligible
Recipients”
means
all employees (including officers and directors who are also employees) of
the
Company or any Subsidiary and any non-employee directors and officers and
individual consultants and independent contractors of the Company or any
Subsidiary, other than consultants or independent contractors providing services
in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising
transaction or who directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for
the
Company’s securities.
2.9 “Exchange
Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.10 “Fair
Market Value”
means,
with respect to the Common Stock, as of any date (or, if no shares were traded
or quoted on such date, as of the next preceding date on which there was such
a
trade or quote) (a) the mean between the reported high and low sale prices
of
the Common Stock if the Common Stock is listed, admitted to unlisted trading
privileges or reported on any foreign or national securities exchange or on
the
Nasdaq National Market or SmallCap Market or an equivalent foreign market on
which sale prices are reported; (b) if the Common Stock is not so listed,
admitted to unlisted trading privileges or reported, the closing bid price
as
reported by the OTC Bulletin Board or the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. or
other comparable service; or (c) if the Common Stock is not so listed or
reported, such price as the Committee determines in good faith in the exercise
of its reasonable discretion.
2.11 “Incentive
Award”
means
an Option or Stock Award granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to the
Plan.
2.12 “Incentive
Stock Option”
means
a
right to purchase Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to
Section 6 of the Plan that qualifies as an “incentive stock option” within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
2.13 “Non-Statutory
Stock Option”
means
a
right to purchase Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to
Section 6 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock
Option.
2.14 “Option”
means
an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option.
2.15 “Participant”
means
an Eligible Recipient who receives one or more Incentive Awards under the Plan.
2.16 “Previously
Acquired Shares”
means
shares of Common Stock or any other shares of capital stock of the Company
that
are already owned by the Participant or, with respect to any Option, that are
to
be issued upon the exercise of such Option.
2.17 “Retirement”
means
termination of employment or service pursuant to and in accordance with the
regular (or, if approved by the Board for purposes of the Plan, early)
retirement/pension plan or practice of the Company or Subsidiary then covering
the Participant, provided that if the Participant is not covered by any such
plan or practice, the Participant will be deemed to be covered by the Company’s
plan or practice for purposes of this determination.
2.18 “Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
2.19 “Stock
Award”
means
an award of Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section
7
of the Plan.
2.20 “Stock
Unit”
means
a
bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one share of Common Stock
that
is payable in the form of Common Stock, cash or any combination of the
foregoing.
2.21 “Subsidiary”
means
any entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or any
entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as determined
by
the Committee.
2.22 “Tax
Date”
means
the date any withholding tax obligation arises under the Code or other
applicable tax statute for a Participant with respect to an Incentive Award.
3. Plan
Administration.
3.1 The
Committee.
The
Plan will be administered by the Board or by a committee of the Board. So long
as the Company has a class of its equity securities registered under Section
12
of the Exchange Act, any committee administering the Plan will consist solely
of
two or more members of the Board who are “non-employee directors” within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and, if the Board so determines
in
its sole discretion, who are “outside directors” within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code. Such a committee, if established, will act by majority
approval of the members (but may also take action with the written consent
of
all of the members of such committee), and a majority of the members of such
a
committee will constitute a quorum. As used in the Plan, “Committee” will refer
to the Board or to such a committee, if established;
provided, however, that with respect to the grant of any Incentive Award to
a
Participant who is then a Committee Member, and to any action that may be taken
hereunder by the Committee regarding any such Incentive Award for so long as
such Participant is a Committee Member, such action may be taken only by the
Board.
To the
extent consistent with applicable corporate law, the Committee may delegate
to
any officers of the Company the duties, power and authority of the Committee
under the Plan pursuant to such conditions or limitations as the Committee
may
establish; provided, however, that only the Committee may exercise such duties,
power and authority with respect to Eligible Recipients who are subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act and Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee
may
exercise its duties, power and authority under the Plan in its sole and absolute
discretion without the consent of any Participant or other party, unless the
Plan specifically provides otherwise. Each determination, interpretation or
other action made or taken by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the
Plan will be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes and on all persons,
including, without limitation, the Company, the stockholders of the Company,
the
participants and their respective successors-in-interest. No member of the
Committee will be liable for any action or determination made in good faith
with
respect to the Plan or any Incentive Award granted under the Plan.
3.2 Authority
of the Committee.
(a) In
accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will
have the authority to determine all provisions of Incentive Awards as the
Committee may deem necessary or desirable and as consistent with the terms
of
the Plan, including, without limitation, the following: (i) the Eligible
Recipients to be selected as Participants; (ii) the nature and extent of the
Incentive Awards to be made to each Participant (including the number of shares
of Common Stock to be subject to each Incentive Award, any exercise price,
the
manner in which Incentive Awards will vest or become exercisable and whether
Incentive Awards will be granted in tandem with other Incentive Awards) and
the
form of written agreement, if any, evidencing such Incentive Award; (iii) the
time or times when Incentive Awards will be granted; (iv) the duration of each
Incentive Award; and (v) the restrictions and other conditions to which the
payment or vesting of Incentive Awards may be subject. In addition, the
Committee will have the authority under the Plan in its sole discretion to
pay
the economic value of any Incentive Award in the form of cash, shares of Common
Stock, shares of any capital stock of the Company, Stock Units or any
combination of the foregoing.
(b) The
Committee will have the authority under the Plan to amend or modify the terms
of
any outstanding Incentive Award in any manner, including, without limitation,
the authority to modify the number of shares or other terms and conditions
of an
Incentive Award, extend the term of an Incentive Award, accelerate the
exercisability or vesting or otherwise terminate any restrictions relating
to an
Incentive Award, accept the surrender of any outstanding Incentive Award or,
to
the extent not previously exercised or vested, authorize the grant of new
Incentive Awards in substitution for surrendered Incentive Awards; provided,
however that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the Plan as then
in
effect and that any Participant adversely affected by such amended or modified
terms has consented to such amendment or modification. No amendment or
modification to an Incentive Award, however, whether pursuant to this Section
3.2 or any other provisions of the Plan, will be deemed to be a re-grant of
such
Incentive Award for purposes of this Plan.
(c) In
the
event of (i) any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization,
liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of
shares, rights offering, extraordinary dividend or divestiture (including a
spin-off) or any other similar change in corporate structure or shares,
(ii) any purchase, acquisition, sale or disposition of a significant amount
of assets or a significant business, (iii) any change in accounting
principles or practices, or (iv) any other similar change, in each case
with respect to the Company or any other entity whose performance is relevant
to
the grant or vesting of an Incentive Award, the Committee (or, if the Company
is
not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors
of
the surviving corporation) may, without the consent of any affected Participant,
amend or modify the vesting criteria of any outstanding Incentive Award that
is
based in whole or in part on the financial performance of the Company (or any
Subsidiary or division thereof) or such other entity so as equitably to reflect
such event, with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating such
financial performance of the Company or such other entity will be substantially
the same (in the sole discretion of the Committee or the board of directors
of
the surviving corporation) following such event as prior to such event;
provided, however, that the amended or modified terms are permitted by the
Plan
as then in effect.
(d) The
Committee may permit or require the deferral of any payment, issuance or other
settlement of an Incentive Award subject to such rules and procedures as the
Committee may establish, including the conversion of such payment, issuance
or
other settlement into Stock Units and the payment or crediting of interest,
dividends or dividend equivalents.
(e) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Plan other than Section 4.3, the Committee may
not,
without prior approval of the Company’s stockholders, seek to effect any
re-pricing of any previously granted, “underwater” Option by: (i) amending or
modifying the terms of the Option to lower the exercise price; (ii) canceling
the underwater Option and granting either replacement Options having a lower
exercise price or other Incentive Awards in exchange; or (iii) repurchasing
the
underwater Options and granting new Incentive Awards under this Plan. For
purposes of this Section 3.2(e), Options will be deemed to be “underwater” at
any time when the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock is less than the
exercise price of the Option.
4. Shares
Available for Issuance.
4.1 Maximum
Number of Shares Available.
Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3 of the Plan, the maximum number of
shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance under the Plan will
be 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock, plus any shares of Common Stock which,
as
of the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company, are
reserved for issuance under the Company’s existing Stock Option Plan and which
are not thereafter issued or which have been issued but are subsequently
forfeited and which would otherwise have been available for further issuance
under such plan. The Committee may use shares available for issuance under
the
Plan as the form of payment for compensation, awards or rights earned or due
under deferred or any other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company
or
any Subsidiary. The shares available for issuance under the Plan may, at the
election of the Committee, be either treasury shares or shares authorized but
unissued, and, if treasury shares are used, all references in the Plan to the
issuance of shares will, for corporate law purposes, be deemed to mean the
transfer of shares from treasury.
4.2 Calculation
of Shares Available.
Shares
of Common Stock (a) that are issued under the Plan or under any deferred or
other compensation plan or arrangement of the Company or any Subsidiary or
(b)
that are subject to outstanding Incentive Awards, Stock Units or other awards
or
rights earned or due under the Plan or under any deferred or other compensation
plan or arrangement of the Company or any Subsidiary, will be applied to reduce
the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance
under the Plan. To the extent that any shares of Common Stock that are subject
to an Incentive Award, Stock Unit or other award or right earned or due under
the Plan or under any deferred or other compensation plan or arrangement of
the
Company or any Subsidiary (a) are not issued to a Participant under the Plan
or
a participant under any deferred or other compensation plan or arrangement
of
the Company or any Subsidiary due to the fact that such Incentive Award, Stock
Unit or other award or right earned or due under the Plan or under any deferred
or other compensation plan or arrangement of the Company or any Subsidiary
lapses, expires, is forfeited or for any reason is terminated unexercised or
unvested, or is settled or paid in cash or (b) are used to satisfy any exercise
price or withholding obligations, such shares will automatically again become
available for issuance under the Plan. In addition, to the extent that a
Participant tenders (either by actual delivery or by attestation) shares of
Common Stock already owned by the Participant to the Company in satisfaction
of
any exercise price or withholding tax obligations, such shares will
automatically again become available for issuance under the Plan.
4.3 Adjustments
to Shares and Incentive Awards.
In the
event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization,
liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of
shares, rights offering, divestiture or extraordinary dividend (including a
spin-off) or any other similar change in the corporate structure or shares
of
the Company, the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation
in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation)
will make appropriate adjustment (which determination will be conclusive) as
to
the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) available
for issuance or payment under the Plan and, in order to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the rights of Participants, (a) the number and kind of securities
or other property (including cash) subject to outstanding Options, and (b)
the
exercise price of outstanding Options.
5. Participation.
Participants
in the Plan will be those Eligible Recipients who, in the judgment of the
Committee, have contributed, are contributing or are expected to contribute
to
the achievement of economic objectives of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
Eligible Recipients may be granted from time to time one or more Incentive
Awards, singly or in combination or in tandem with other Incentive Awards,
as
may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Incentive Awards
will
be deemed to be granted as of the date specified in the grant resolution of
the
Committee, which date will be the date of any related agreement with the
Participant.
6. Options.
6.1 Grant.
An
Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Options under the Plan, and such
Options will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other
provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion. The Committee may designate whether an Option is to be considered
an
Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option. To the extent that
any
Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan ceases for any reason to qualify
as an “incentive stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such
Incentive Stock Option will continue to be outstanding for purposes of the
Plan
but will thereafter be deemed to be a Non-Statutory Stock Option.
6.2 Exercise
Price.
The per
share price to be paid by a Participant upon exercise of an Option will be
determined by the Committee in its discretion at the time of the Option grant;
provided, however, that such price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market
Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant with respect to an
Incentive Stock Option (110% of the Fair Market Value if, at the time the
Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or indirectly,
more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the
Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company).
6.3 Exercisability
and Duration.
An
Option will become exercisable at such times and in such installments as may
be
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant;
provided, however, that no Incentive Stock Option may be exercisable after
10
years from its date of grant (five years from its date of grant if at the time
the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or
indirectly, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes
of
stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the
Company).
6.4 Payment
of Exercise Price.
The
total purchase price of the shares to be purchased upon exercise of an Option
must be paid entirely in cash (including check, bank draft or money order);
provided, however, that the Committee, in its sole discretion and upon terms
and
conditions established by the Committee, may allow such payments to be made,
in
whole or in part, by tender of a Broker Exercise Notice, Previously Acquired
Shares (including through delivery of a written attestation of ownership of
such
Previously Acquired Shares if permitted, and on terms acceptable, to the
Committee in its sole discretion), a promissory note (on terms acceptable to
the
Committee in its sole discretion) or by a combination of such
methods.
6.5 Manner
of Exercise.
An
Option may be exercised by a Participant in whole or in part from time to time,
subject to the conditions contained in the Plan and in the agreement evidencing
such Option, by delivery in person, by facsimile or electronic transmission
or
through the mail of written notice of exercise to the Company (Attention: Chief
Financial Officer) at its principal executive office in Lincolnshire, Illinois
and by paying in full the total exercise price for the shares of Common Stock
to
be purchased in accordance with Section 6.4 of the Plan.
6.6 Aggregate
Limitation of Stock Subject to Incentive Stock Options.
To the
extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date an
Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock with respect
to
which incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code)
are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year
(under the Plan and any other incentive stock option plans of the Company or
any
subsidiary or parent corporation of the Company (within the meaning of the
Code)) exceeds $100,000 (or such other amount as may be prescribed by the Code
from time to time), such excess Options will be treated as Non-Statutory Stock
Options. The determination will be made by taking incentive stock options into
account in the order in which they were granted. If such excess only applies
to
a portion of an Incentive Stock Option, the Committee, in its discretion, will
designate which shares will be treated as shares to be acquired upon exercise
of
an Incentive Stock Option.
7. Stock
Awards.
An
Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Stock Awards under the Plan,
and
such Stock Awards will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent
with
the other provisions of the Plan, as may be determined by the Committee. The
Participant will have all voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with
respect to the shares of Common Stock issued to a Participant as a Stock Award
under this Section 7 upon the Participant becoming the holder of record of
such
shares; provided, however, that the Committee may impose such restrictions
on
the assignment or transfer of a Stock Award as it deems appropriate; and
provided, further, that if the Participant defers the receipt of the Stock
Award
under any deferred compensation plan or arrangement of the Company or any
Subsidiary and in lieu thereof receives a Stock Unit, such Participant will
not
have all voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to the
shares of Common Stock issued to the Participant as a Stock Award under this
Section 7.
8. Effect
of Termination of Employment or Other Service.
8.1 Termination
Due to Death, Disability or Retirement.
Unless
otherwise provided by the Committee in its sole discretion in the agreement
evidencing an Incentive Award:
(a) In
the
event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all
Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of death or Disability, all outstanding
Options then held by the Participant will remain exercisable, to the extent
exercisable as of the date of such termination, for a period of six months
after
such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option)
and all Stock Awards then held by a Participant will, to the extent applicable,
vest and/or continue to vest in the manner determined by the Committee and
set
forth in any agreement evidencing such Stock Award.
(b) In
the
event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all
Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of Retirement, all outstanding Options
then
held by the Participant will remain exercisable, to the extent exercisable
as of
the date of such termination, for a period of three months after such
termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option)
and
all Stock Awards then held by a Participant will, to the extent applicable,
vest
and/or continue to vest in the manner determined by the Committee and set forth
in any agreement evidencing such Stock Award.
8.2 Termination
for Reasons Other than Death, Disability or Retirement.
(a) Unless
otherwise provided by the Committee in its sole discretion in the agreement
evidencing an Incentive Award, in the event a Participant’s employment or other
service is terminated with the Company and all Subsidiaries for any reason
other
than death, Disability or Retirement, or a Participant is in the employ or
service of a Subsidiary and the Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the
Company (unless the Participant continues in the employ or service of the
Company or another Subsidiary), all rights of the Participant under the Plan
and
any agreements evidencing an Option will immediately terminate without notice
of
any kind, and no Options then held by the Participant will thereafter be
exercisable and all Stock Awards then held by a Participant will, to the extent
applicable, vest and/or continue to vest in the manner determined by the
Committee and set forth in any agreement evidencing such Stock Award; provided,
however, that if such termination is due to any reason other than termination
by
the Company or any Subsidiary for “cause,” all outstanding Options then held by
such Participant will remain exercisable, to the extent exercisable as of such
termination, for a period of three months after such termination (but in no
event after the expiration date of any such Option).
(b) For
purposes of this Section 8.2, “cause” (as determined by the Committee) will be
as defined in any employment or other agreement or policy applicable to the
Participant or, if no such agreement or policy exists, will mean (i) dishonesty,
fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement or deliberate injury or attempted injury,
in each case related to the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) any unlawful or
criminal activity of a serious nature, (iii) any intentional and deliberate
breach of a duty or duties that, individually or in the aggregate, are material
in relation to the Participant’s overall duties, or (iv) any material breach of
any employment, service, confidentiality or non-compete agreement entered into
with the Company or any Subsidiary.
8.3 Modification
of Rights Upon Termination.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 8, upon a
Participant’s termination of employment or other service with the Company and
all Subsidiaries, the Committee may, in its sole discretion (which may be
exercised at any time on or after the date of grant, including following such
termination), cause Options (or any part thereof) then held by such Participant
to become or continue to become exercisable and/or remain exercisable following
such termination of employment or service and all Stock Awards then held by
a
Participant will, to the extent applicable, vest and/or continue to vest in
the
manner determined by the Committee and set forth in any agreement evidencing
such Stock Award; provided, however, that no Option may remain exercisable
beyond its expiration date.
8.4 Exercise
of Incentive Stock Options Following Termination.
Any
Incentive Stock Option that remains unexercised more than one year following
termination of employment by reason of Disability or more than three months
following termination for any reason other than death or Disability will
thereafter be deemed to be a Non-Statutory Stock Option.
8.5 Date
of Termination of Employment or Other Service.
Unless
the Committee otherwise determines in its sole discretion, a Participant’s
employment or other service will, for purposes of the Plan, be deemed to have
terminated on the date recorded on the personnel or other records of the Company
or the Subsidiary for which the Participant provides employment or other
service, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion based upon such
records.
9. Payment
of Withholding Taxes.
9.1 General
Rules. The
Company is entitled to (a) withhold and deduct from future wages of the
Participant (or from other amounts that may be due and owing to the Participant
from the Company or a Subsidiary), or make other arrangements for the collection
of, all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all foreign,
federal, state and local withholding and employment-related tax requirements
attributable to an Incentive Award, including, without limitation, the grant,
exercise or vesting of, or payment of dividends with respect to, an Incentive
Award or a disqualifying disposition of stock received upon exercise of an
Incentive Stock Option, or (b) require the Participant promptly to remit the
amount of such withholding to the Company before taking any action, including
issuing any shares of Common Stock, with respect to an Incentive
Award.
9.2 Special
Rules.
The
Committee may, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established
by the Committee, permit or require a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in
part, any withholding or employment-related tax obligation described in Section
9.1 of the Plan by electing to tender Previously Acquired Shares, a Broker
Exercise Notice or a promissory note (on terms acceptable to the Committee
in
its sole discretion), or by a combination of such methods.
10. Change
in Control.
10.1 Change
in Control.
For
purposes of this Section 10, a “Change in Control” of the Company will mean the
following:
(a) the
sale,
lease, exchange or other transfer, directly or indirectly, of substantially
all
of the assets of the Company (in one transaction or in a series of related
transactions) to a person or entity that is not controlled by the Company;
(b) the
approval by the stockholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(c) any
person becomes after the effective date of the Plan the “beneficial owner” (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of (i)
20% or more, but not 50% or more, of the combined voting power of the Company’s
outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of
directors, unless the transaction resulting in such ownership has been approved
in advance by the Continuity Directors (as defined in Section 10.2 below),
or
(ii) 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding
securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors
(regardless of any approval by the Continuity Directors);
(d) a
merger
or consolidation to which the Company is a party if the stockholders of the
Company immediately prior to effective date of such merger or consolidation
have
“beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
immediately following the effective date of such merger or consolidation, of
securities of the surviving corporation representing (i) more than 50%, but
less
than 80%, of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation’s then
outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of
directors, unless such merger or consolidation has been approved in advance
by
the Continuity Directors, or (ii) 50% or less of the combined voting power
of the surviving corporation’s then outstanding securities ordinarily having the
right to vote at elections of directors (regardless of any approval by the
Continuity Directors);
(e) the
Continuity Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
of
the Board; or
(f) any
other
change in control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be
reported pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, whether or not
the
Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
10.2 Continuity
Directors.
For
purposes of this Section 10, “Continuity Directors” of the Company will mean any
individuals who are members of the Board on the effective date of the Plan
and
any individual who subsequently becomes a member of the Board whose election,
or
nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of
at least a majority of the Continuity Directors (either by specific vote or
by
approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which such individual is named as a
nominee for director without objection to such nomination).
10.3 Acceleration
of Vesting.
Without
limiting the authority of the Committee under Sections 3.2 and 4.3 of the Plan,
if a Change in Control of the Company occurs, then, unless otherwise provided
by
the Committee in its sole discretion either in the agreement evidencing an
Incentive Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of an
Incentive Award, all outstanding Options will become immediately exercisable
in
full and will remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms, regardless
of
whether the Participant to whom such Options have been granted remains in the
employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary and all outstanding Stock
Awards then held by a Participant will, to the extent applicable, vest and/or
continue to vest in the manner determined by the Committee and set forth in
any
agreement evidencing such Stock Award.
11. Rights
of Eligible Recipients and Participants; Transferability.
11.1 Employment
or Service.
Nothing
in the Plan will interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company
or
any Subsidiary to terminate the employment or service of any Eligible Recipient
or Participant at any time, nor confer upon any Eligible Recipient or
Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or
any
Subsidiary.
11.2 Rights
as a Stockholder.
As a
holder of Options, a Participant will have no rights as a stockholder unless
and
until such Options are exercised for, or paid in the form of, shares of Common
Stock and the Participant becomes the holder of record of such shares. Except
as
otherwise provided in the Plan, no adjustment will be made for dividends or
distributions with respect to such Options as to which there is a record date
preceding the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of such shares,
except as the Committee may determine in its discretion.
11.3 Restrictions
on Transfer.
(a) Except
pursuant to testamentary will or the laws of descent and distribution and except
as expressly permitted by Section 11.3(b) of the Plan, no right or interest
of
any Participant in an Incentive Award prior to the exercise or vesting of such
Incentive Award will be assignable or transferable, or subjected to any lien,
during the lifetime of the Participant, either voluntarily or involuntarily,
directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise. A Participant will,
however, be entitled to designate a beneficiary to receive an Incentive Award
upon such Participant’s death. In the event of a Participant’s death, payment of
any amounts due under the Plan will be made to, and exercise of any Options
(to
the extent permitted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan) will be made by, the
Participant’s designated beneficiary. For purposes of the Plan, a “designated
beneficiary” will be the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the
Participant in a writing filed with the Committee in such form and at such
time
as the Committee will require in its sole discretion. If a Participant fails
to
designate a beneficiary, or if the designated beneficiary does not survive
the
Participant or dies before the designated beneficiary’s exercise of all rights
under the Plan, payment of any amounts due under the Plan will be made to,
and
exercise of any Options (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 8 of the
Plan) may be made by, the Participant’s personal representative.
(b) The
Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of the Options
to
be granted to a Participant to be on terms which permit transfer by such
Participant to (i) the spouse, ex-spouse, children, step-children or
grandchildren of the Participant (the “Family Members”), (ii) a trust or trusts
for the exclusive benefit of such Family Members, (iii) a partnership in which
such Family Members are the only partners, or (iv) such other persons or
entities as the Committee, in its discretion, may permit, provided that (1)
there may be no consideration for such a transfer (other than the possible
receipt of an ownership interest in an entity to which such a transfer is made),
(2) the award agreement pursuant to which such Options are granted must be
approved by the Committee and must expressly provide for transferability in
a
manner consistent with this Section 11.3(b), (3) timely written notice of the
transfer must be provided to the Company by the Participant, and (4) subsequent
transfers of the transferred Options shall be prohibited except for those in
accordance with Section 11.3(a). Following transfer, any such Option and the
rights of any transferee with respect thereto will continue to be subject to
the
same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the transfer,
including that the events of termination of employment or other service as
provided in the Plan and in any applicable award agreement will continue to
be
applied with respect to the original Participant, with the transferee bound
by
the consequences of any such termination of employment or service as specified
in the Plan and the applicable award agreement. The Company will be under no
obligation to provide notice of termination of a Participant’s employment or
other service to any transferee of such Participant’s Options. Notwithstanding
any Option transfer pursuant to this Section 11.3(b), the Participant will
remain subject to and liable for any employment-related taxes in connection
with
the exercise of such Option.
11.4 Breach
of Confidentiality or Non-Compete Agreements.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the event that a
Participant materially breaches the terms of any confidentiality or non-compete
agreement entered into with the Company or any Subsidiary, whether such breach
occurs before or after termination of such Participant’s employment or other
service with the Company or any Subsidiary, the Committee in its sole discretion
may immediately terminate all rights of the Participant under the Plan and
any
agreements evidencing an Incentive Award then held by the Participant without
notice of any kind.
11.5 Non-Exclusivity
of the Plan.
Nothing
contained in the Plan is intended to modify or rescind any previously approved
compensation plans or programs of the Company or create any limitations on
the
power or authority of the Board to adopt such additional or other compensation
arrangements as the Board may deem necessary or desirable.
12. Securities
Law and Other Restrictions.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of the Plan or any agreements entered into pursuant to
the
Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock
under
this Plan, and a Participant may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose
of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Incentive Awards granted under
the
Plan, unless (a) there is in effect with respect to such shares a
registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable state or
foreign securities laws or an exemption from such registration under the
Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws, and
(b) there has been obtained any other consent, approval or permit from any
other regulatory body which the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems
necessary or advisable. The Company may condition such issuance, sale or
transfer upon the receipt of any representations or agreements from the parties
involved, and the placement of any legends on certificates representing shares
of Common Stock, as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Company in
order
to comply with such securities law or other restrictions.
13. Plan
Amendment, Modification and Termination.
The
Board
may suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, and may
amend the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem
advisable in order that Incentive Awards under the Plan will conform to any
change in applicable laws or regulations or in any other respect the Board
may
deem to be in the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that no
amendments to the Plan will be effective without approval of the stockholders
of
the Company if stockholder approval of the amendment is then required pursuant
to Section 422 of the Code or the rules of any stock exchange or Nasdaq or
similar regulatory body. No termination, suspension or amendment of the Plan
may
adversely affect any outstanding Incentive Award without the consent of the
affected Participant; provided, however, that this sentence will not impair
the
right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under
Sections 3.2, 4.3 and 10 of the Plan.
14. Effective
Date and Duration of the Plan.
The
Plan
is effective as of December 8, 1998, the date it was adopted by the Board.
The
Plan will terminate at midnight on December 8, 2008 and may be terminated prior
to such time to by Board action, and no Incentive Award will be granted after
such termination. Incentive Awards outstanding upon termination of the Plan
may
continue to be exercised, or become free of restrictions, in accordance with
their terms.
15. Miscellaneous.
15.1 Governing
Law.
The
validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan
and any rules, regulations and actions relating to the Plan will be governed
by
and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
notwithstanding the conflicts of laws principles of any
jurisdictions.
15.2 Successors
and Assigns.
The
Plan will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and
permitted assigns of the Company and the Participants.