EXHIBIT 10.4
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(CHANGE IN CONTROL)
This Employment Agreement, dated as of __________________, 200_, is
entered into between Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and _______________________ (the "Executive").
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that
it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that
the company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding
the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in
Section 2) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the
inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties
and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage
the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in
the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control and to provide the
Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control
which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive
will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.
Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the
Company to enter into this Agreement.
In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual promises contained below,
the parties agree as set forth below.
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
(a) "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the Change of
Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of Control occurs.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of
Control occurs and if the Executive's employment with the company is terminated
prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably
demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the
request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the
Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation
of the Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective
Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of
employment.
(b) "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of such date; provided, however,
that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual
anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be
hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date") the Change of Control Period may
be extended by the Company so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date
by the Company giving notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period
shall be so extended.
2. CHANGE OF CONTROL. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" shall mean:
(a) Any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (an "Acquiring
Person") shall become the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 40% or more of either
(i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or (ii) the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding
Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that an Acquiring Person shall
not include the Company, any of its affiliated company (as defined in Section
4(b)(i) hereof), any employee benefit plan of the Company or its affiliated
company, or any person or entity organized, appointed or established by the
Company or its affiliated company for or pursuant to the terms of any such
plan); or
(b) During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than
a director who is a representative or nominee of an Acquiring Person) whose
election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders
was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in
office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose
election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any
reason to constitute a majority of the Board; or
(c) The shareholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of
the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation
which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity
or any parent corporation (within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) of such surviving entity) at
least a majority of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, such surviving
entity or the parent corporation of such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
(d) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of reorganization
(other than a reorganization under the United States Bankruptcy Code) or
complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition
by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets;
provided, however, that a Change of Control shall not be deemed to have occurred
in the event of: (i) a sale or conveyance in which the Company continues as a
holding company of an entity or entities that conduct all or substantially all
of the business or businesses formerly conducted by the Company, or (ii) any
transaction undertaken for the purpose of incorporating the Company under the
laws of another jurisdiction, if such transaction does not materially affect the
beneficial ownership of the Company's capital stock.
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3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive
in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the
Company, in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for the
period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of
such date (the "Employment Period").
4. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) POSITION AND DUTIES.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material
respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any
time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B)
the Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the Executive
was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office which is the
headquarters of the Company and is less than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees
to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that
any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) COMPENSATION.
(i) BASE SALARY. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which shall be paid in
equal installments on a monthly or more frequent basis, at least equal to twelve
times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable to the Executive by the
Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period
immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the
Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually
and shall be increased at any time and
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from time to time as shall be substantially consistent with increases in base
salary generally awarded in the ordinary course of business to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies. Any increase in Annual
Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the
Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after
any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement
shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement,
the term "affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.
(ii) ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an
annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the average
annualized (for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or
with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less
than twelve full months) bonus paid or payable, including by reason of any
deferral, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in
respect of the three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which
the Effective Date occurs (the "Recent Average Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus
shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next
following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the
Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.
(iii) INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings
and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practice, policies and programs provide the Executive
with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special
incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is
applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each
case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those
provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under
such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the
90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to
the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv) WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible
for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans,
practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and
travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the
Executive at any
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time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the
Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(v) EXPENSES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable employment expenses
incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies,
practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(vi) FRINGE BENEFITS. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the most favorable
plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated
companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive,
as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and
other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided
to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during
the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable
to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) VACATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans,
policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as
in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies.
(ix) "PEER EXECUTIVES." For purposes of this Agreement, references
to "peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies" shall refer
only to Executives based in the United States.
5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Period. If the
Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has
occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability
set forth below), it may give
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to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of its
intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th
day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive
shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive
from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180
consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical
illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by
the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's
legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld
unreasonably).
(b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during the
Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean
(i) a material breach by the Executive of the Executive's obligations under
Section 4(a) (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental
illness) which is demonstrably willful and deliberate on the Executive's part,
which is committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is
in the best interests of the Company and which is not remedied in a reasonable
period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such
breach or (ii) the conviction of the Executive of a felony involving moral
turpitude.
(c) GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may be terminated during the
Employment Period by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in
any respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated
by Section 4(a) or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution
in such position (including any action which results in a dimunition of status,
offices, titles and reporting levels or requirements), authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions
of Section 4(b), other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure
not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after
receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any
office or location other than that described in Section 4(a)(i)(B);
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
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(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
11(c), provided that such successor has received at least ten days prior written
notice from the Company or the Executive of the requirements of Section 11(c).
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good Reason"
made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by
the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to
the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b). For purposes of
this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice which (i)
indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii)
to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination
(as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies
the termination date (which date shall be not more than 15 days after the giving
of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the
Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of
Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company
hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or
circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.
6. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.
(a) GOOD REASON; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY. If, during the
Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other
than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for
Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of
(x) the greater of (i) the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including by reason of
any deferral, to
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the Executive (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve
full months or for which the Executive has been employed for less than twelve
full months) for the most recently completed fiscal year during the Employment
Period, if any, and (ii) the Recent Average Bonus (such greater amount shall be
hereinafter referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the
Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, and (3) any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued
interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the
extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1),
(2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the amount (such amount shall be hereinafter referred to as
the "Severance Amount") equal to the product of (1) two and (2) the sum of (x)
the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and,
provided further, that such amount shall be reduced by the present value
(determined as provided in Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of any other amount
of severance relating to salary or bonus continuation to be received by the
Executive upon termination of employment of the Executive under any agreement,
severance plan, policy or arrangement of the Company; and
(ii) for the remainder of the Employment Period, or such longer
period as any plan, program, practice or policy may provide, the Company shall
continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal
to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans,
programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b) if the Executive's
employment had not been terminated in accordance with the most favorable plans,
practices, programs or policies of the Company and its affiliated companies as
in effect and applicable generally to other peer executives and their families
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and
their families, provided, however, that if the Executive becomes re-employed
with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare
benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare
benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other
plan during such applicable period of eligibility (such continuation of such
benefits for the applicable period herein set forth shall be hereinafter
referred to as "Welfare Benefit Continuation"). For purposes of determining
eligibility of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans,
practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have
remained employed until the end of the Employment Period and to have retired on
the last day of such period; and
(iii) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive and/or the Executive's family any
other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive
and/or the Executive's family is eligible to receive pursuant to this Agreement
and under any plan, program,
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policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated
companies as in effect and applicable generally to other peer executives and
their families during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date
or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and
their families (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to
as the "Other Benefits").
(b) DEATH. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this
Agreement, other than for (i) payment of Accrued Obligations (which shall be
paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination) and the timely payment or
provision of the Welfare Benefit Continuation and Other Benefits (excluding, in
each case, Death Benefits (as defined below)) and (ii) payment to the
Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within
30 days of the Date of Termination of an amount equal to the greater of (A) the
sum of the Severance Amount, and (B) the present value (determined as provided
in Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of any cash amount to be received by the
Executive or the Executive's family as a death benefit pursuant to the terms of
any plan, policy or arrangement of the Company and its affiliated companies, but
not including any proceeds of life insurance covering the Executive to the
extent paid for directly or on a contributory basis by the Executive (which
shall be paid in any event as an Other Benefit) (the benefits included in this
clause (B) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Death Benefits").
(c) DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for (i)
payment of Accrued Obligations (which shall be paid to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination) and the timely payment or
provision of the Welfare Benefit Continuation and Other Benefits (excluding, in
each case, Disability Benefits (as defined below)) and (ii) payment to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination of an
amount equal to the greater of (A) the sum of the Severance Amount, and (B) the
present value (determined as provided in Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of any
cash amount to be received by the Executive as a disability benefit pursuant to
the terms of any plan, policy or arrangement of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but not including any proceeds of disability insurance covering the
Executive to the extent paid for directly or on a contributory basis by the
Executive (which shall be paid in any event as an Other Benefit) (the benefits
included in this clause (B) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Disability
Benefits").
(d) CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's employment shall
be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation
to pay to the Executive Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination plus
the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, in each
case to the extent
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theretofore unpaid. If the Executive terminates employment during the Employment
Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations
and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination.
7. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Except as provided in Sections 6(a)(ii),
6(b) and 6(c), nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's
continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice
provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the
Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such
rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the
Company or any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or
which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy,
practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of
its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or
agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. FULL SETTLEMENT: RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES.
(a) The payment by the Company to the Executive of the amounts required by
this Agreement shall serve as a full settlement of any and all claims which the
Executive may have against the Company arising out of or in connection with the
termination of the Executive's employment by the Company.
(b) The Company's obligation to make the payments provided for in this
Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be
affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right
or action which the Company may have against the Executive or others. In no
event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any
other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under
any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in Section
6(a)(ii), such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains
other employment. The Company agrees to pay promptly as incurred, to the full
extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may
reasonably incur as a result of any dispute or contest (regardless of the
outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or
enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any
guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any dispute or
contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.
(c) If there shall be any dispute between the Company and the Executive
(i) in the event of any termination of the Executive's employment by the
Company, whether such termination was for Cause, or (ii) in the event of any
termination of employment by
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the Executive, whether Good Reason existed, then, unless and until there is a
final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction declaring
that such termination was for Cause or that the determination by the Executive
of the existence of Good Reason was not made in good faith, the Company shall
pay all amounts, and provide all benefits, to the Executive and/or the
Executive's family or other beneficiaries, as the case may be, that the Company
would be required to pay or provide pursuant to Section 6(a) as though such
termination were by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good
Reason; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any
disputed amounts pursuant to this paragraph except upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the Executive to repay all such amounts to which
the Executive is ultimately adjudged by such court not to be entitled.
9. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to
or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section
9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of
the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive 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
the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up
Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes
(including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes),
including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties
imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment,
the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax
imposed upon the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required
to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment
is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be
utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by Deloitte & Touche
LLP (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations
both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of
notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as
is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as
accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change
of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting
firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of
the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment,
as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable
by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion that
failure to report the Excise Tax on the
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Executive's applicable federal income tax return would not result in the
imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result
of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of
the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been
made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment
that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the
Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed
in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive
shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following
the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period
ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due).
If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall: (i) give the
Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such
claim, (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by
an attorney reasonably selected by the Company, (iii) cooperate with the Company
in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and (iv) permit the
Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided,
however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses
(including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such
contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax
basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with
respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs
and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section
9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such
contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative
appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in
respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive
to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any
permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a
determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to
such
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advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and
further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to
payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which
such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to
issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and
the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any
other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any
refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's
complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the
amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after
taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is made that
the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and
the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest
such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such
determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to
be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof,
the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information,
knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies,
and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive
during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts
by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this
Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the Company,
the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as
may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any
such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those
designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of
this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts
otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
11. SUCCESSORS.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior
written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal
representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company and its successors and assigns.
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(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform
this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would
be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this
Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
12. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Florida, without reference to principles of conflict of
laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and
shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified
otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their
respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
If to the Company: Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
00000 X.X. 000xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement
such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant
to any applicable law or regulation.
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(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or
the failure to aSsert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder,
including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate
employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v), shall not be deemed
to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of
this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will"
and, prior to the Effective Date, may be terminated by either the Executive or
the Company at any time. Moreover, if prior to the Effective Date, the
Executive's employment with the Company terminates, then the Executive shall
have no further rights under this Agreement. From and after the Effective Date,
this Agreement shall supersede any prior agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof.
(g) This Agreement shall supersede and replace any Employment Agreement
(Change in Control) between the Company and Executive dated prior to the date of
this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.
Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
__________________________________________
By:
Title:
__________________________________________
Executive
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