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Filing
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2022
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SAVARA INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 84-1318182 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
6836 Bee Cave Road Building III, Suite 201 Austin, TX |
78746 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
SAVARA INC. 2021 INDUCEMENT EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
Matthew Pauls
Chief Executive Officer
Savara Inc.
6836 Bee Cave Road
Building III, Suite 201
Austin, TX 78746
(Name and address of agent for service)
(512) 614-1848
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
John Martini, Esq.
Holland & Knight LLP
2929 Arch Street, Suite 800
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 252-9600
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ | |||
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act ☐
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Savara Inc. (the Registrant) is filing this Registration Statement on Form S-8 to register the offer and sale of an additional 750,000 shares of common stock of the Registrant for issuance under the Savara Inc. 2021 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan (the Inducement Plan). In accordance with General Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the prior registration statements on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on July 6, 2021 (File No. 333-257711) and March 30, 2022 (File No. 333-263976) with respect to the Inducement Plan, are hereby incorporated by reference and made part of this Registration Statement, except as amended hereby.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information
The documents containing the information specified in this Item 1 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions to Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act.
Item 2. Registration Information and Employee Plan Annual Information
The documents containing the information specified in this Item 2 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions to Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. Such documents, together with the documents incorporated by reference herein pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement on Form S-8, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act, and are available upon written or oral request to: Savara Inc., Attn: Chief Financial Officer, 6836 Bee Cave Road, Building III, Suite 201, Austin, Texas, 78746, Tel: (512) 614-1848.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration Statement the following documents previously filed with the Commission (other than information in a report on Form 8-K that is furnished and not filed pursuant to Form 8-K and, except as may be noted in any such Form 8-K, exhibits filed on such form that are related to such information):
(i) The Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Commission on March 30, 2022, including the information specifically incorporated by reference therein from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on April 19, 2022, pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act);
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(ii) The Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022 filed with the Commission on May 11, 2022, the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2022 filed with the Commission on August 11, 2022, and the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2022 filed with the Commission on November 10, 2022; and
(iii) The Registrants Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 of the 1934 Act on January 13, 2022, April 22, 2022, June 3, 2022, and August 26, 2022; and
(iv) The description of the Registrants Common Stock included in the Registrants Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on April 27, 2017 (File No. 001-32157-17789572), including any amendment or report updating such description.
All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents; provided, however, that documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with the rules of the Commission shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 8. Exhibits
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Austin, State of Texas, on November 21, 2022.
SAVARA INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Matthew Pauls | |
Matthew Pauls | ||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Matthew Pauls and David Lowrance, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ Matthew Pauls Matthew Pauls |
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
November 21, 2022 | ||
/s/ Dave Lowrance Dave Lowrance |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
November 21, 2022 | ||
/s/ Nevan Elam Nevan Elam |
Director |
November 21, 2022 | ||
/s/ Rick Hawkins Rick Hawkins |
Director |
November 21, 2022 | ||
/s/ Joseph McCracken |
Director |
November 21, 2022 | ||
Joseph McCracken |
/s/ David Ramsay |
Director |
November 21, 2022 | ||
David Ramsay | ||||
/s/ Ricky Sun |
Director |
November 21, 2022 | ||
Ricky Sun | ||||
/s/ An Van Es-Johansson An Van Es-Johansson |
Director |
November 21, 2022 |
Exhibit 4.1
SAVARA INC.
2021 INDUCEMENT EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(Adopted May 10, 2021, as amended September 1, 2021 and September 8, 2022)
1. Purposes of the Plan. The purpose of this Plan is to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility by providing an inducement material to individuals entering into employment with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. The Plan permits the grant of Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units or Performance Shares as the Administrator may determine. Each Award under the Plan is intended to qualify as an employment inducement grant under the Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions will apply:
(a) Administrator means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) Applicable Laws means the legal and regulatory requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards, including without limitation the related issuance of shares of Common Stock, including without limitation under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any non-U.S. country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
(c) Award means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units or Performance Shares.
(d) Award Agreement means the written or electronic agreement between the Company and Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(e) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) Change in Control For purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, Change in Control means the occurrence of any one of the following events after the date of approval of this Plan by the Board:
(i) Over a period of 36 consecutive months or less, there is a change in the composition of the Board such that a majority of the Board members (rounded up to the next whole number, if a fraction) ceases, by reason of one or more proxy contests for the election of Board members, to be composed of individuals who either (i) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of that period, or (ii) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a majority of the Board members described in the preceding clause (i) who were still in office at the time that election or nomination was approved by the Board; provided, however, that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed to satisfy the criteria described in the preceding clause (ii);
(ii) Any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Companys outstanding securities pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Companys stockholders that the Board does not recommend such stockholders accept, other than (i) the Company or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, or other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company (each, for purposes of this Section 2(f)(ii), an affiliate), (ii) an employee benefit plan of the Company or an affiliate, (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or an affiliate, or (iv) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities;
(iii) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another person or the sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Companys assets to one or more other persons in a single transaction or series of related transactions that requires the approval of the Companys stockholders, whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in such transaction (a Business Combination), unless in connection with such Business Combination securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the survivors or acquirors outstanding securities (or the securities of any parent thereof) are held by a person or persons who held securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Companys outstanding securities (Company Voting Securities) immediately prior to such Business Combination and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to such Business Combination;
(iv) The stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale of all or substantially all of the Companys assets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the Company Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Company Voting Securities by the Company which reduces the number of Company Voting Securities outstanding; provided, that if after such acquisition by the Company such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control shall then occur.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.
(g) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code or regulation thereunder will include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or other official guidance promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section or regulation.
(h) Committee means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board, or a duly authorized committee of the Board, in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(i) Common Stock means the common stock of the Company.
(j) Company means Savara Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.
(k) Consultant means any natural person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company to render bona fide services to such entity, provided the services (i) are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and (ii) do not directly promote or maintain a market for the Companys securities, in each case, within the meaning of Form S-8 promulgated under the Securities Act, and provided, further, that a Consultant will include only those persons to whom the issuance of Shares may be registered under Form S-8 promulgated under the Securities Act.
(l) Director means a member of the Board.
(m) Disability means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.
(n) Employee means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a directors fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute employment by the Company. However, for the avoidance of doubt, a person who already is serving as a Director prior to becoming an Employee will not be eligible to be granted an Award under the Plan unless permitted under the Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The Company will determine in good faith and in the exercise of its discretion whether an individual has become or has ceased to be an Employee and the effective date of such individuals employment or termination of employment, as the case may be. For purposes of an individuals rights, if any, under the Plan as of the time of the Companys determination, all such determinations by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive, notwithstanding that the Company or any court of law or governmental agency subsequently makes a contrary determination.
(o) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(p) Exchange Program means a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for awards of the same type (which may have higher or lower exercise prices and different terms), awards of a different type, and/or cash, (ii) Participants would have the opportunity to transfer any outstanding Awards to a financial institution or other person or entity selected by the Administrator, and/or (iii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced.
(q) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or, if no closing sales price was reported on that date, as applicable, on the last Trading Day such closing sales price was reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination (or, if no bids and asks were reported on that date, as applicable, on the last Trading Day such bids and asks were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator.
(r) Fiscal Year means the fiscal year of the Company.
(s) Incentive Stock Option means an Option intended to qualify, and actually qualifies, as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(t) Listing Rule means the Listing Rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. Reference to any Listing Rule will include the terms and conditions of the Listing Rule and any applicable Interpretive Material and other guidance issued under the Listing Rule.
(u) Nonstatutory Stock Option means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(v) Officer means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(w) Option means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan. All Options granted under the Plan shall constitute Nonstatutory Stock Options.
(x) Parent means a parent corporation, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(e).
(y) Participant means the holder of an outstanding Award.
(z) Performance Share means an Award denominated in Shares which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of performance goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine pursuant to Section 10.
(aa) Performance Unit means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of performance goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing pursuant to Section 10.
(bb) Period of Restriction means the period (if any) during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator.
(cc) Plan means this Savara Inc. 2021 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan.
(dd) Restricted Stock means Shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock award under Section 7 of the Plan, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.
(ee) Restricted Stock Unit means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 8. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.
(ff) Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.
(gg) Section 16(b) means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
(hh) Section 409A means Section 409A of the Code, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any proposed or final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance that has been promulgated or may be promulgated thereunder from time to time, or any state law equivalent.
(ii) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(jj) Service Provider means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
(kk) Share means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.
(ll) Stock Appreciation Right means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 9 is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.
(mm) Subsidiary means a subsidiary corporation, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(f).
(nn) Trading Day means a day that the primary stock exchange, national market system, or other trading platform, as applicable, upon which the Common Stock is listed, is open for trading.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan.
(a) Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan is equal to 2,150,000 Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
(b) Lapsed Awards. If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, is surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program, or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units or Performance Shares, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to failure to vest, then the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, the forfeited or repurchased Shares), which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). With respect to Stock Appreciation Rights that are settled in Shares, the gross number of Shares covered by the portion of the Award so exercised will cease to be available under the Plan. Shares that actually have been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if Shares issued pursuant to Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company due to failure to vest, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares used to pay the exercise price of an Award or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, the cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.
(c) Share Reserve. The Company, at all times during the term of this Plan, will reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Procedure.
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.
(ii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
(iii) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.
(iv) Approval. Awards granted under the Plan must be approved by a majority of the Companys Independent Directors, as defined in the Listing Rules, or the independent Compensation Committee of the Board, in each case acting as the Administrator.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value;
(ii) to select the individuals to whom Awards may be granted hereunder, subject to Section 5;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to approve forms of Award Agreement for use under the Plan;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. The terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator will determine;
(vi) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable non-U.S. laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable non-U.S. laws;
(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan;
(viii) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 18(c) of the Plan), including without limitation the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards; provided, however, that in no event will the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right be extended beyond its original maximum term;
(ix) to allow Participants to satisfy tax withholding obligations in a manner prescribed in Section 14 of the Plan;
(x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;
(xi) to temporarily suspend the exercisability of an Award if the Administrator deems such suspension to be necessary or appropriate for administrative purposes;
(xii) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that otherwise would be due to the Participant under an Award; and
(xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) No Exchange Program or Repricing. Notwithstanding the powers of the Administrator set forth herein, the Administrator will not be permitted to implement an Exchange Program.
(d) Effect of Administrators Decision. The Administrators decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards and will be given the maximum deference permitted by Applicable Laws.
5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units may be granted to Employees so long as the following requirements are met:
(a) The Employee was not previously an Employee or Director, or the Employee became employed by the Company or any of its Parent or Subsidiaries following a bona-fide period of non-employment or non-service; and
(b) The grant of the Award or Awards to the Employee was an inducement material to the Employees entering into employment with the Company (or any of its Parent or Subsidiaries, as applicable) in accordance with the Listing Rule.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Employee may be granted an Award in connection with a merger or acquisition to the extent permitted by Listing Rule 5635(c).
6. Stock Options.
(a) Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, including without limitation the eligibility requirements of Section 5, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Options to Employees in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(b) Stock Option Agreement. Each Award of an Option will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the number of Shares subject to the Option, the exercise restrictions, if any, applicable to the Option, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(c) Term of Option. The term of each Option will be stated in the Award Agreement, provided that in the absence of a specified term in the Award Agreement, the term of such Option will be ten (10) years from the date of grant.
(d) Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
(i) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following:
(1) The per Share exercise price will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code.
(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.
(iii) Form of Consideration. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, full payment of such purchase price shall be made at the time of exercise and shall be made (i) in cash or cash equivalents (including certified check or bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds), (ii) by tendering previously acquired Shares (either actually or by attestation, valued at their then Fair Market Value), (iii) with the consent of the Administrator, by delivery of other consideration having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the total purchase price, (iv) with the consent of the Administrator, by withholding Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option, including a net exercise procedure, (v) through same-day sales through a broker, unless the Administrator provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, (vi) through any other method specified in an Award Agreement, or (vii) through any combination of any of the foregoing. The notice of exercise, accompanied by such payment, shall be delivered to the Company at its principal business office or such other office as the Administrator may from time to time direct, and shall be in such form, containing such further provisions consistent with the provisions of this Plan, as the Administrator may from time to time prescribe.
(e) Exercise of Option.
(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in accordance with the procedures that the Administrator may specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with any applicable tax withholdings). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised.
Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for exercise under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the cessation of the Participants Service Provider status as the result of the Participants death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of cessation of the Participants Service Provider status (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following cessation of the Participants Service Provider status. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of cessation of the Participants Service Provider status the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If, after cessation of the Participants Service Provider status, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participants Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of cessation of the Participants Service Provider status (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following cessation of the Participants Service Provider status. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of cessation of the Participants Service Provider status the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If, after cessation of the Participants Service Provider status, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised following the Participants death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the Option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participants designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to the Participants death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participants estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participants will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following Participants death. Unless otherwise
provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(v) Tolling Expiration. A Participants Award Agreement also may provide that:
(1) if the exercise of the Option following the cessation of Participants status as a Service Provider (other than upon the Participants death or Disability) would result in liability under Section 16(b), then the Option will terminate on the earlier of (A) the expiration of the term of the Option set forth in the Award Agreement, or (B) the tenth (10th) day after the last date on which such exercise would result in liability under Section 16(b); or
(2) if the exercise of the Option following the cessation of the Participants status as a Service Provider (other than upon the Participants death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of Shares would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option will terminate on the earlier of (A) the expiration of the term of the Option or (B) the expiration of a period of thirty (30) days after the cessation of the Participants status as a Service Provider during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of such registration requirements.
7. Restricted Stock.
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, including without limitation the eligibility requirements of Section 5, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Employees in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(b) Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify any Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.
(c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 7 or the Award Agreement, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of any applicable Period of Restriction.
(d) Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.
(e) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of any applicable Period of Restriction or at such other time as the Administrator may determine. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.
(f) Voting Rights. During any applicable Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.
(g) Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.
8. Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Grant. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, including without limitation the eligibility requirements of Section 5, Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Employees at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. After the Administrator determines that it will grant Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, it will advise the Participant in an Award Agreement of the terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, including the number of Restricted Stock Units.
(b) Vesting Criteria and Other Terms. The Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), applicable federal or state securities laws or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.
(c) Earning Restricted Stock Units. Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting criteria that must be met to receive a payout.
(d) Form and Timing of Payment. Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may settle earned Restricted Stock Units only in cash, Shares, or a combination of both.
(e) Cancellation. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.
9. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, including without limitation the eligibility requirements of Section 5, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Employees at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.
(b) Number of Shares. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any Employee.
(c) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right will be determined by the Administrator and will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Otherwise, the Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan.
(d) Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(e) Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date as determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(c) relating to the maximum term and Section 6(e) relating to exercise also will apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.
(f) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined as the product of:
(i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; and
(ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.
At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination of both.
10. Performance Units and Performance Shares.
(a) Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, including without limitation the eligibility requirements of Section 5, Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Employees at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and Performance Shares granted to each Participant.
(b) Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
(c) Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions (including, without limitation, continued status as a Service Provider) in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Performance Units/Shares that will be paid out to the Participants under the Performance Units/Shares. The time period during which the performance objectives or other vesting provisions must be met will be called the Performance Period. Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. The Administrator may set performance objectives based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, business unit or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), applicable federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.
(d) Earning of Performance Units/Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Unit/Share.
(e) Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.
(f) Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.
11. Leaves of Absence/Transfer Between Locations. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Participant will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any of its Subsidiaries.
12. Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.
13. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.
(a) Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, reclassification, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs (other than any ordinary dividends or other ordinary distributions), the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will adjust the number and class of shares of stock that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of shares of stock covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limit in Section 3 of the Plan.
(b) Change in Control.
(i) Award Agreements may provide that in the event of a Change in Control, Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control shall be cancelled and terminated without payment if the Fair Market Value of one Share as of the date of the Change in Control is less than the per Share Option exercise price or Stock Appreciation Right grant price.
(ii) Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control in which the successor company (or a subsidiary or parent thereof) assumes or substitutes for an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Unit or Performance Share, if a Participants employment with such successor company (or a subsidiary or parent thereof) terminates within 24 months following such Change in Control (or such other period set forth in the Award Agreement, including prior thereto if applicable) and under the circumstances specified in the Award Agreement: (A) Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of such termination of employment will immediately vest, become fully exercisable, and may thereafter be exercised for 24 months (or the period of time set forth in the Award Agreement), (B) restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall become free of all restrictions and limitations and become fully vested, and (C) the restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to any Performance Units or Performance Units shall lapse, and such Awards shall become free of all restrictions and limitations or conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant. For the purposes of this Section 13(c)(ii), an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Unit or Performance Share shall be considered assumed or substituted for if following the Change in Control the Award (or its substitute) confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Unit or Performance Share Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of such transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the transaction constituting a Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor company
(or a subsidiary or parent thereof), the Board may, with the consent of the successor company (or a subsidiary or parent thereof), provide that the consideration to be received upon the exercise or vesting of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Unit or Performance Share Award, for each Share subject thereto, will be solely common stock of the successor company (or a subsidiary or parent thereof) substantially equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Shares in the transaction constituting a Change in Control. The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Board in its sole discretion and its determination shall be conclusive and binding.
(iii) Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control to the extent the successor company (or a subsidiary or parent thereof) does not assume or substitute for an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Unit or Performance Share Award: (i) those Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of the Change in Control that are not assumed or substituted for shall immediately vest and become fully exercisable, (ii) restrictions and other limitations on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units that are not assumed or substituted for shall lapse and the Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall become free of all restrictions and limitations and become fully vested, (iii) all Performance Unit or Performance Share Awards not assumed or substituted for shall be considered earned and payable in full, and any deferral or other restriction shall lapse and such Awards shall be settled or distributed immediately, and (v) all Awards not assumed or substituted for shall terminate immediately after the Change in Control.
(iv) The Board, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, each Option and Stock Appreciation Right outstanding shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the Participant, and/or that each Participant shall receive, with respect to each Share subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Share immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control over the exercise price per share of such Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right; such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of stock or property (including the stock or property, if any, payable in the transaction) or in a combination thereof, as the Board, in its discretion, shall determine.
14. Tax.
(a) Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof) or such earlier time as any tax withholding obligations are due, the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries, Parents or affiliates employing or retaining the services of a Participant, as applicable) will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries, Parents or affiliates, as applicable), an amount sufficient to satisfy U.S. federal, state, and local, non-U.S., and other taxes (including the Participants FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).
(b) Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, check or other cash equivalents, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld or such greater amount as the Administrator may determine if such amount would not have adverse accounting consequences, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld or such greater amount as the Administrator may determine, in each case, provided the delivery of such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion, (iv) selling a sufficient number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant through such means as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (v) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined or such greater amount as the Administrator may determine if such amount would not have adverse accounting consequences, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion. The fair market value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.
(c) Compliance With Section 409A. Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Section 409A and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Section 409A the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Section 409A, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A. In no event will the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parents have any obligation or liability under the terms of this Plan to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless any Participant or any other person in respect of Awards, for any taxes, interest or penalties imposed, or other costs incurred, as a result of Section 409A.
15. No Effect on Employment or Service. Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participants relationship as a Service Provider, nor interfere in any way with the Participants right or the right of the Company and its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable, to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
16. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
17. Term of Plan. The Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board (or its designated committee). It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years from the date of such adoption, unless terminated earlier under Section 18 of the Plan.
18. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. The Administrator, at any time, may amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.
(b) Stockholder Approval. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan will materially impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrators ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
19. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Legal Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
20. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction or to complete or comply with the requirements of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any U.S. state or federal law or non-U.S. law or under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the stock exchange on which Shares of the same class are then listed, or any other governmental or regulatory body, which authority, registration, qualification or rule compliance is deemed by the Companys counsel to be necessary or advisable for the issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority, registration, qualification or rule compliance will not have been obtained.
21. Deferral; Dividend Equivalents. The Board shall be authorized to establish procedures pursuant to which the payment of any Award may be deferred. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and any Award Agreement, the recipient of an Award other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may, if so determined by the Board, be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash, stock or other property dividends, or cash
payments in amounts equivalent to cash, stock or other property dividends on Shares (Dividend Equivalents) with respect to the number of Shares covered by the Award, as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. The Board may provide that such amounts and Dividend Equivalents (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested and may provide that such amounts and Dividend Equivalents are subject to the same vesting or performance conditions as the underlying Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Dividend Equivalents credited in connection with an Award that vests based on the achievement of performance goals shall be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Award with respect to which such Dividend Equivalents have been credited.
22. Forfeiture Events. If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, any Participant who knowingly or through gross negligence engaged in the misconduct, or who knowingly or through gross negligence failed to prevent the misconduct, and any Participant who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, shall reimburse the Company for (i) the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award received by such Participant during the 12 month period following the first public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (whichever first occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement, and (ii) any profits realized by such Participant from the sale of securities of the Company during such 12 month period. In addition, to the extent claw-back or similar provisions applicable to Awards are required by applicable law, listing standards and/or policies adopted by the Company, Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to such provisions.
23. No Dividend Payments on Unvested Awards. No dividends or Dividend Equivalents may be paid to a Participant with respect to an Award unless and until the date the Participant vests in such Award. If provided in the Award Agreement, dividends or dividend equivalents relating to unvested Awards may accrue and be paid to Participants at the time of vesting of the underlying Award and shall be forfeited to the extent the underlying Award is forfeited. Nothing in this Section 23 shall require the payment or accrual of dividends on any Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards may be adjusted for dividends to the extent permitted in Section 13(a).
* * *
Exhibit 5.1
Cira Centre, Suite 800 | 2929 Arch Street | Philadelphia, PA 19104 | T 215.252.9600 | F 215.867.6070
Holland & Knight LLP | www.hklaw.com
November 21, 2022
Savara Inc.
6836 Bee Cave Road
Building III, Suite 201
Austin, Texas 78746
Re: | Savara Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Savara Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the Registration Statement) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), relating to the registration under the Act by the Company of 750,000 shares of the Companys common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the Shares), issuable under the Companys 2021 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan (the Inducement Plan). This opinion is being issued pursuant to the requirements of the Act.
In so acting, we have examined and relied upon the original or a copy, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Registration Statement and all exhibits thereto; (ii) the Companys Certificate of Incorporation, as amended to date; (iii) the Companys Bylaws, as amended and restated to date; and (iv) such other documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to form the basis for the opinions set forth herein.
In rendering the opinions set forth herein, we have relied, without investigation, on each of the following assumptions: (i) the legal capacity of each natural person to take all actions required of each such person in connection with the Registration Statement and the registration, issuance and sale of the Shares; (ii) the genuineness of each signature, the completeness of each document submitted to us, the authenticity of each document reviewed by us as an original, the conformity to the original of each document reviewed by us as a duplicate or a certified or conformed copy and the authenticity of the original of each document received by us as a duplicate or a certified or conformed copy; (iii) as to matters of fact, the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of the information, representations and warranties of the Company made in the Registration Statement and in the records, documents, instruments, certificates and statements we have reviewed; (iv) the due execution and delivery of all documents (except that no such assumption is made as to the Company) where due execution and delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof; and (v) that there has been no undisclosed waiver of any right, remedy or provision contained in such documents. As to any facts material to the opinion expressed herein, which were not independently established or verified, we have relied, to the extent we have deemed reasonably appropriate, upon statements and representations of officers or directors of the Company.
Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Charlotte | Chicago | Dallas | Denver | Fort Lauderdale | Fort Worth | Houston Jacksonville | Los Angeles | Miami | New York | Orange County | Orlando | Philadelphia | Portland San Francisco | Stamford | Tallahassee | Tampa | Tysons | Washington, D.C. | West Palm Beach
November 21, 2022
Page 2
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in the manner described in the Inducement Plan, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
This opinion is rendered solely in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, is limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinions may be implied or inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein. This opinion may not be relied upon for any other purpose without our prior written consent in each instance. Further, no portion of this letter may be quoted, circulated or referred to in any other document for any other purpose without our prior written consent.
The opinion expressed herein is limited to the federal securities laws of the United States of America and the corporate laws of the State of Delaware and we express no opinion as to matters governed by laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal securities laws of the United States of America and the corporate laws of the State of Delaware, as in effect on the date hereof. This opinion speaks only as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or supplement such opinions to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention, whether existing before or arising after the date hereof, or any changes in law that may hereafter occur.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Holland & Knight LLP
HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Savara Inc. of our report dated March 30, 2022, relating the consolidated financial statements of Savara Inc., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Savara Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2021.
/s/ RSM US LLP
Austin, Texas
November 21, 2022
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
Form S-8
(Form Type)
Savara Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered Securities
Security Type | Security Title |
Fee Calculation Rule |
Amount Registered(1) |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price Per Unit |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
Fee Rate |
Amount of Registration Fee | |||||||
Equity | Common Stock (par value $0.001 per share) | Other(2) | 750,000(3) | $1.275(2) | $956,250 | $110.20 per $1 million | $105.38 | |||||||
Total Offering Amounts | | $956,250 | | |||||||||||
Total Fee Offsets | | | | |||||||||||
Net Fee Due | | | $105.38 |
(1) | Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), this registration statement (the Registration Statement) shall also cover any additional shares of Common Stock of Savara Inc. (the Registrant) that become issuable in respect of the securities identified in the above table by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration that increases the number of outstanding shares of the Registrants Common Stock. |
(2) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act on the basis of the average of the reported high and low sales prices for the Registrants common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market on November 17, 2022. |
(3) | Consists of 750,000 shares issuable under the Savara Inc. 2021 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan. |