As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 26, 2013

 

REGISTRATION NO. 333 -                 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

under the

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

NEUROMETRIX, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   04-3308180
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Organization)   Identification No.)

 

62 Fourth Avenue

Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

(781) 890-9989

(Address, Including Zip Code, of Principal Executive Offices)

 

NEUROMETRIX, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED

2009 NON-QUALIFIED INDUCEMENT STOCK PLAN

(Full Title of the Plan)

 

Shai N. Gozani, M.D., Ph.D.

President and Chief Executive Officer

NEUROMETRIX, INC.

62 Fourth Avenue

Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

(781) 890-9989

(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including

Area Code, of Agent For Service)

 

Copies to:

 

Megan N. Gates, Esq.

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris,

Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

One Financial Center

Boston, MA 02111

Telephone: (617) 542-6000

Fax: (617) 542-2241

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of  “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
(do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company x

 

 
 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of
Securities to be
Registered
  Amount to be
Registered (1)
   Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share (2)
   Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price (2)
   Amount of
Registration Fee
 
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value   386,111 shares   $1.80   $694,999.80   $94.80 
Rights to purchase Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value   (3)   (3)   (3)   None 

 

(1)This Registration Statement relates to 386,111 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of NeuroMetrix, Inc. (“Common Stock”) available for issuance under the NeuroMetrix, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Non-Qualified Inducement Stock Plan (the “Plan”); plus such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as may be required pursuant to the Plan in the event of a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar event.

 

(2)This calculation is made solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant to the provisions of Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act on the basis of the average of the high and low sale prices per share of the Common Stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market as of a date (July 25, 2013) within five business days prior to filing this Registration Statement.

 

(3)Pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, between NeuroMetrix, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as amended, each share of Common Stock has an attached right to purchase thirty-six ten-thousandths of a share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Rights”), which Rights are not currently exercisable, on the terms set forth in the Rights Agreement. No separate consideration will be received for the Rights.

 

 

 

 
 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 hereby registers 386,111 additional shares of Common Stock for issuance under the Plan. An aggregate of 13,889 shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan were previously registered on June 3, 2009 (File No. 333-159712) (the “Previous Registration Statement”). The amount registered under the Previous Registration Statement reflects two 1-for-6 reverse splits of our Common Stock completed on September 1, 2011 and February 15, 2013. The contents of the Previous Registration Statement are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8.

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

Item 8. Exhibits.

 

The exhibits listed in the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this registration statement.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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 Waltham, Massachusetts on this 26th day of July, 2013.

 

  NEUROMETRIX, INC.
     
  By: /s/ SHAI N. GOZANI, M.D., PH.D.
     Shai N. Gozani, M.D., Ph.D.
     President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Shai N. Gozani, M.D., Ph.D. and Thomas T. Higgins, and each of them singly, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them singly, for him and in his name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of NeuroMetrix, Inc., and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to the attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in or about the premises, as full to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that the attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of each of them or their substitute may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

 

Signature   Title   Date
           
/s/ SHAI N. GOZANI, M.D., PH.D.   President, Chief Executive   July 26, 2013
  Shai N. Gozani, M.D., Ph.D.   Officer and Director (principal    
      executive officer)    
           
/s/ THOMAS T. HIGGINS   Senior Vice President,   July 26, 2013
  Thomas T. Higgins   Chief Financial Officer and    
      Treasurer (principal financial    
      and accounting officer)    
           
/s/ DAVID E. GOODMAN, M.D.   Director   July 26, 2013
  David E. Goodman, M.D.        
           
/s/ ALLEN J. HINKLE, M.D.   Director   July 26, 2013
  Allen J. Hinkle, M.D.        
           
/s/ NANCY E. KATZ   Director   July 26, 2013
  Nancy E. Katz        
           
/s/ TIMOTHY R. SURGENOR   Director   July 26, 2013
  Timothy R. Surgenor        

 

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NEUROMETRIX, INC.

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS FILED WITH

FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

Exhibit    
Number   Description
     
5.1   Opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. as to the legality of shares and rights being registered.
     
23.1   Consent of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. (included in opinion of counsel filed as Exhibit 5.1).
     
23.2   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.
     
24   Powers of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement).
     
99.1   NeuroMetrix, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Non-Qualified Inducement Stock Plan.

 

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  Exhibit 5.1
   

 

One Financial Center

Boston, MA 02111

617-542-6000

617-542-2241 fax

www.mintz.com

 

 

July 26, 2013

 

NeuroMetrix, Inc.

62 Fourth Avenue

Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as legal counsel to NeuroMetrix, 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 which the Company is registering the issuance under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of a total of 386,111 shares (the “Shares”) of its common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2009 Non-Qualified Inducement Stock Plan (the “Plan”), and the associated rights to purchase Preferred Stock (the “Rights”) issuable pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, as amended, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Rights Agreement”). Each Share has an attached Right to purchase thirty-six ten-thousandths of a share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, which Rights are not currently exercisable, on the terms set forth in the Rights Agreement. This opinion is being rendered in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Registration Statement.

 

In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, the Rights Agreement and Amended and Restated Bylaws, each as currently in effect; such other records of the corporate proceedings of the Company and certificates of the Company’s officers as we have deemed relevant; and the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto.

 

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In addition, we have assumed that the Company will receive any required consideration in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

 

With respect to our opinion regarding the nature of the Rights as binding obligations of the Company, we (i) express no opinion as to the determination that a court of competent jurisdiction may make regarding whether the Company’s Board of Directors would be required to redeem or terminate, or take other action with respect to the Rights at some future time based on the facts and circumstances existing at that time; (ii) have assumed that the members of the Company’s Board of Directors have acted in a manner consistent with their fiduciary duties as required under applicable law in adopting the Rights Agreement; and (iii) have addressed the Rights and the Rights Agreement in their entirety, and it is not settled whether the invalidity of any particular provision of the Rights Agreement or the Rights issued thereunder would result in invalidating the Rights in their entirety.

 

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

Boston | London | Los Angeles | New York | San Diego | San Francisco | Stamford | Washington

 

 
 

  

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

 

July 26, 2013

Page 2

 

Our opinion is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.  No opinion is expressed herein with respect to the qualification of the Shares or the Rights under the securities or blue sky laws of any state or any foreign jurisdiction.

 

Please note that we are opining only as to the matters expressly set forth herein, and no opinion should be inferred as to any other matters. This opinion is based upon currently existing statutes, rules, regulations and judicial decisions, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any of these sources of law or subsequent legal or factual developments which might affect any matters or opinions set forth herein.

 

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and (ii) the Rights, when the Shares are issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will constitute binding obligations of the Company.

 

We understand that you wish to file this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, and we hereby consent thereto.  In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
   
  Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.

  

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 25, 2013 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule, which appears in the NeuroMetrix, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP  
   
Boston, Massachusetts  

July 26, 2013 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

NEUROMETRIX, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2009 NON-QUALIFIED INDUCEMENT STOCK PLAN

 

SECTION 1.          GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS

 

The name of the plan is the NeuroMetrix, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Non-Qualified Inducement Stock Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable prospective employees and non-employee directors of NeuroMetrix, Inc. (the “Company”) and its Subsidiaries as an inducement material to the individual’s entry into employment or directorship with the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Rule 5635(c)(4), or any successor rule, of the Rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”). It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Company’s welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company’s behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.

 

The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

“Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

“Administrator” is defined in Section 2(a).

 

“Award” or “Awards,” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, shall include Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Unrestricted Stock Awards.

 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.

 

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or a similar committee performing the functions of the Compensation Committee and that is comprised of not less than two Non-Employee Directors who are independent, which committee satisfies the requirements of Rule 5635(c)(4), or any successor rule, of the Rules of Nasdaq.

 

“Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan is approved by the Board as set forth in Section 14.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

 
 

 

“Fair Market Value” of the Stock on any given date means the fair market value of the Stock determined in good faith by the Administrator; provided, however, that if the Stock is traded on a national securities exchange the Fair Market Value of the Stock will equal the closing sales price as reported on the principal exchange or market for the Stock on such date. If there is no trading on such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which there was trading.

 

“Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

“Option” or “Stock Option” means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5.

 

“Restricted Stock Award” means Awards granted pursuant to Section 6.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

“Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.

 

“Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in which the Company has a controlling interest, either directly or indirectly.

 

“Unrestricted Stock Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 7.

 

SECTION 2.ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS

 

(a)          Committee

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee (the “Administrator”).

 

(b)          Powers of Administrator

 

The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority:

 

(i)          to select the individuals who are deemed Eligible Persons to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;

 

(ii)         to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Unrestricted Stock Awards, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;

 

(iii)        to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by any Award;

 

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(iv)        to determine and modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees, and to approve the form of written instruments evidencing the Awards;

 

(v)         to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;

 

(vi)        subject to the provisions of Section 5(a)(ii), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised provided that any such amendment shall be made only after the Administrator determines that such amendment shall not cause the Stock Options to violate Section 409A of the Code; and

 

(vii)       at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.

 

All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan grantees.

 

(c)          Indemnification

 

Neither the Board nor the Committee, nor any member of either or any delegatee thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and the members of the Board and the Committee (and any delegatee thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under the Company’s organizational documents or any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time and/or any indemnification agreement between such individual and the Company.

 

SECTION 3.        STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION

 

(a)          Stock Issuable

 

The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 400,000 shares subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(c). For purposes of this limitation, the shares of Stock underlying any Stock Options and any Restricted Stock Awards that are forfeited, canceled, held back upon exercise of a Stock Option, vesting of a Restricted Stock Award or settlement of an Award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding, reacquired by the Company prior to vesting, satisfied without the issuance of Stock or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan. The shares available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or shares of Stock reacquired by the Company.

 

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(b)          Changes in Stock

 

Subject to Section 3(c) hereof, if, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Company’s capital stock, the outstanding shares of Stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Stock or other securities, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for a different number or kind of securities of the Company or any successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), the Administrator shall make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the number and kind of shares or other securities authorized under the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a) above, (ii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the Plan, (iii) the repurchase price, if any, per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, and (iv) the price for each share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of Stock Options) as to which such Stock Options remain exercisable. The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.

 

The Administrator shall also adjust the number of shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price and the terms of outstanding Awards to take into consideration material changes in accounting practices or principles, extraordinary dividends, acquisitions or dispositions of stock or property or any other event if it is determined by the Administrator that such adjustment is appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan.

 

(c)          Mergers and Other Transactions

 

In the case of and subject to the consummation of (i) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to an unrelated person or entity, (iii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation in which the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for a different kind of securities of the successor entity and the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting power immediately prior to such transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding voting power of the successor entity immediately upon completion of such transaction, or (iv) the sale of all of the Stock of the Company to an unrelated person or entity (in each case, a “Sale Event”), the Plan and all outstanding Awards granted hereunder shall terminate, unless provision is made in connection with the Sale Event in the sole discretion of the parties thereto for the assumption or continuation of Awards theretofore granted by the successor entity, or the substitution of such Awards with new Awards of the successor entity or parent thereof, with appropriate adjustment as to the number and kind of shares and, if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as such parties shall agree. In the event of such termination, all Options that are not exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the Sale Event shall become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the Sale Event and all other Awards shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable as of the effective time of the Sale Event, except as the Administrator may otherwise specify with respect to particular Awards in the relevant Award documentation, and each grantee shall be permitted, within a specified period of time prior to the consummation of the Sale Event as determined by the Administrator, to exercise all outstanding Options held by such grantee, including those that will become exercisable upon the consummation of the Sale Event; provided, however, that the exercise of Options not exercisable prior to the Sale Event shall be subject to the consummation of the Sale Event.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3(c), in the event of a Sale Event pursuant to which holders of the Stock of the Company will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in the Sale Event, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to make or provide for a cash payment to the grantees holding Options, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the difference between (A) the value as determined by the Administrator of the consideration payable per share of Stock pursuant to the Sale Event (the “Sale Price”) times the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Options (to the extent then exercisable at prices not in excess of the Sale Price) and (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Options.

 

SECTION 4.          ELIGIBILITY

 

Awards may be granted only to employees and Non-Employee Directors to whom the Company may issue securities without stockholder approval in accordance with Rule 5635(c)(4), or any successor rule, of the Rules of Nasdaq (“Eligible Persons”).

 

SECTION 5.          STOCK OPTIONS

 

Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Administrator may from time to time approve. Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be non-qualified Stock Options.

 

(a)          Terms of Stock Options

 

The Administrator in its discretion may grant Stock Options to Eligible Persons. Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable.

 

(i)          Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant.

 

(ii)         Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Stock Option is granted.

 

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(iii)          Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder. Stock Options shall become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date. The Administrator may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.

 

(iv)          Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the following methods to the extent provided in the Option Award agreement:

 

(A)         In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator;

 

(B)         Through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of Stock that have been purchased by the optionee on the open market or that have been beneficially owned by the optionee for at least six months and are not then subject to restrictions under any Company plan. Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date;

 

(C)         By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Company for the purchase price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; or

 

(D)         By a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price.

 

Payment instruments will be received subject to collection. The transfer to the optionee on the records of the Company or of the transfer agent of the shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option Award agreement or applicable provisions of laws (including the satisfaction of any withholding taxes that the Company is obligated to withhold with respect to the optionee). In the event an optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the number of attested shares. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the exercise of Stock Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless exercise of Stock Options may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

 

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(b)          Non-transferability of Options

 

No Stock Option shall be transferable by the optionee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the optionee’s lifetime, only by the optionee, or by the optionee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the optionee’s incapacity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide in the Award agreement regarding a given Option that the optionee may transfer his Stock Options to members of his immediate family, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Option. “Family member” shall mean a grantee’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the grantee’s household (other than a tenant of the grantee), a trust in which these persons (or the grantee) have more than 50 percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the grantee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the grantee) own more than 50 percent of the voting interests. In no event may a Stock Option be transferred by a grantee for value.

 

SECTION 6.          RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

(a)          Nature of Restricted Stock Awards

 

A Restricted Stock Award is an Award entitling the recipient to acquire, at such purchase price (which may be zero) as determined by the Administrator, shares of Stock subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant (“Restricted Stock”). Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The grant of a Restricted Stock Award is contingent on the grantee executing the Restricted Stock Award agreement. The terms and conditions of each such agreement shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.

 

(b)          Rights as a Stockholder

 

Upon execution of a written instrument setting forth the Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of the Restricted Stock, subject to such conditions contained in the written instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award. Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine, (i) uncertificated Restricted Stock shall be accompanied by a notation on the records of the Company or the transfer agent to the effect that they are subject to forfeiture until such Restricted Stock are vested as provided in Section 6(d) below, and (ii) certificated Restricted Stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Stock is vested as provided in Section 6(d) below, and the grantee shall be required, as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company such instruments of transfer as the Administrator may prescribe.

 

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(c)          Restrictions

 

Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the Restricted Stock Award agreement. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 10 below, in writing after the Award agreement is issued, if any, if a grantee’s employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, any Restricted Stock that has not vested at the time of termination shall automatically and without any requirement of notice to such grantee from or other action by or on behalf of, the Company be deemed to have been reacquired by the Company at its original purchase price from such grantee or such grantee’s legal representative simultaneously with such termination of employment (or other service relationship), and thereafter shall cease to represent any ownership of the Company by the grantee or rights of the grantee as a shareholder. Following such deemed reacquisition of unvested Restricted Stock that are represented by physical certificates, grantee shall surrender such certificates to the Company upon request without consideration.

 

(d)          Vesting of Restricted Stock

 

The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non-transferability of the Restricted Stock and the Company’s right of repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be Restricted Stock and shall be deemed “vested.” Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award agreement or, subject to Section 10 below, in writing after the Award agreement is issued, a grantee’s rights in any shares of Restricted Stock that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or other service relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries and such shares shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6(c) above.

 

SECTION 7.          UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at par value or such higher purchase price determined by the Administrator) an Unrestricted Stock Award to any grantee pursuant to which such grantee may receive shares of Stock free of any restrictions (“Unrestricted Stock”) under the Plan.

 

SECTION 8.          TAX WITHHOLDING

 

(a)          Payment by Grantee

 

Each grantee shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the grantee for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such income. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee. The Company’s obligation to deliver stock certificates to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on tax obligations being satisfied by the grantee.

 

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(b)          Payment in Stock

 

Subject to approval by the Administrator, a grantee may elect to have the minimum required tax withholding obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by (i) authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Stock to be issued pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the minimum withholding amount due, or (ii) transferring to the Company shares of Stock owned by the grantee with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the minimum withholding amount due.

 

SECTION 9.          TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC.

 

For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment:

 

(A) a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another; or

 

(B) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee’s right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Administrator otherwise so provides in writing.

 

SECTION 10.         AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

 

The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder’s consent. Except as provided in Section 3(b) or 3(c), in no event may the Administrator exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or effect repricing through cancellation and re-grants or by exchanging a Stock Option for any other Award. Nothing in this Section 10 shall limit the Administrator’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(c).

 

SECTION 11.         STATUS OF PLAN

 

With respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a grantee, a grantee shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Company unless the Administrator shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Administrator may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.

 

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SECTION 12.         Section 409A awards.

 

To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Administrator from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a grantee who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the grantee’s separation from service, or (ii) the grantee’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. Further, the settlement of any such Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.

 

SECTION 13.         GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a)          No Distribution; Compliance with Legal Requirements

 

The Administrator may require each person acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.

 

No shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to an Award until all applicable securities law and other legal and stock exchange or similar requirements have been satisfied. The Administrator may require the placing of such stop-orders and restrictive legends on certificates for Stock and Awards as it deems appropriate.

 

(b)          Delivery of Stock Certificates

 

Stock certificates to grantees under this Plan shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have mailed such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company. Uncertificated Stock shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Company or a Stock transfer agent of the Company shall have given to the grantee by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Company, notice of issuance and recorded the issuance in its records (which may include electronic “book entry” records). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates evidencing shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel (to the extent the Administrator deems such advice necessary or advisable), that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the shares of Stock are listed, quoted or traded. All Stock certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and quotation system on which the Stock is listed, quoted or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any Stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that an individual make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Administrator shall have the right to require any individual to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Administrator.

 

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(c)          Stockholder Rights

 

Until Stock is deemed delivered in accordance with Section 13(b), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights of a stockholder will exist with respect to shares of Stock to be issued in connection with an Award, notwithstanding the exercise of a Stock Option or any other action by the grantee with respect to an Award.

 

(d)          Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights

 

Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of this Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any grantee any right to continued employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(e)          Trading Policy Restrictions

 

Option exercises and other Awards under the Plan shall be subject to such Company’s insider trading policy and procedures, as in effect from time to time.

 

(f)          Designation of Beneficiary

 

Each grantee to whom an Award has been made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after the grantee’s death. Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the Administrator and shall not be effective until received by the Administrator. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be the grantee’s estate.

 

SECTION 14.         EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

 

This Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the Board.

 

SECTION 15.         GOVERNING LAW

 

This Plan and all Awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, applied without regard to conflict of law principles.

 

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DATE APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: May 1, 2009

 

AS AMENDED: May 21, 2009

 

AS AMENDED AND RESTATED July 26, 2013

 

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