TRANSITION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.38
Execution Version
THIS TRANSITION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of May 28, 2026 by and between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the “Executive”) and Apnimed, Inc. (the “Company”).
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive entered into that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2025, which governs the Executive’s employment with the Company (the “Employment Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Executive’s employment shall cease effective June 30, 2027, or such earlier date mutually agreed upon by the parties (the “Termination Date”);
WHEREAS, the Executive will resign his position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company and become its Vice Chairman effective as of June 1, 2026;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to continue the Executive’s employment as Vice Chairman of the Company from June 1, 2026 through the Termination Date (with such period between the date hereof and the Termination Date referred to herein as the “Transition Period”); and
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to pay the Executive certain amounts in connection with the Transition Period and Executive’s termination of employment, subject to the Executive’s execution of this Agreement and the Release (as defined below).
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the mutual promises contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:
To the maximum extent permitted under Section 409A, the severance benefits payable under this Agreement are intended to comply with the “short-term deferral exception” under Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(4), and any remaining amount is intended to comply with the “separation pay exception” under ▇▇▇▇▇. Reg. §1.409A- 1(b)(9)(iii); provided, however, any amount payable to the Executive during the six (6) month period following the Executive’s last day of employment with the Company that does not qualify within this exception and constitutes deferred compensation subject to the requirements of Section 409A shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Excess Amount.” If at the time of the Executive’s separation from service, the equity of the Company (or any entity required to be aggregated with the Company under Section 409A) is publicly-traded on an established securities market or
otherwise and the Executive is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A and determined in the sole discretion of the Company (or any successor thereto) in accordance with the Company’s (or any successor thereto) “specified employee” determination policy), then the Company shall postpone the commencement of the payment of the portion of the Excess Amount that is payable within the six (6) month period following the Executive’s last day of employment with the Company (or any successor thereto) for six (6) months following the Executive’s last day of employment with the Company (or any successor thereto) or such earlier date as permitted under Section 409A without the imposition of adverse taxation. The delayed Excess Amount shall be paid in a lump sum to the Executive within thirty (30) days following the earliest of (i) the date that is six (6) months following the Executive’s last day of employment with the Company (or any successor thereto), (ii) the Executive’s death or (iii) such earlier date as permitted under Section 409A without imposition of adverse taxation, and any amounts payable after such six (6) month period shall be paid in accordance with its original schedule. If the Executive dies during such six (6) month period and prior to the payment of the portion of the Excess Amount that is required to be delayed on account of Section 409A, such Excess Amount shall be paid to the personal representative of the Executive’s estate within thirty (30) days after the Executive’s death. No interest shall be due on any amounts delayed pursuant to this paragraph.
All reimbursements provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the taxable year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its respective duly authorized officer, and the Executive has executed this Agreement, on the date(s) below written.
COMPANY: |
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By: |
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ |
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Name: |
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ |
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Title: |
Secretary |
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Date: |
May 28, 2026 |
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EXECUTIVE:
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
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Date: May 28, 2026 |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its respective duly authorized officer, and the Executive has executed this Agreement, on the date(s) below written.
COMPANY: |
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By: |
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Name: |
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ |
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Title: |
Secretary |
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Date: |
May 28, 2026 |
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EXECUTIVE: |
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/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ |
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Date: May 28, 2026 |
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