As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2021

Registration No. 333-

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

Akoya Biosciences, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   47-5586242

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

   

100 Campus Drive, 6th Floor

Marlborough, MA

  07152
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan
Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan

(Full Title of the Plan)

 

Brian McKelligon
Chief Executive Officer
Akoya Biosciences, Inc.
100 Campus Drive, 6th Floor
Marlborough, MA 01752
(855) 896-8401

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

Patrick J. O’Malley
DLA Piper LLP (US)
4365 Executive Drive, Suite 1100
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 677-1400

 

 

 

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.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨   Accelerated filer   ¨
       
Non-accelerated filer   x   Smaller reporting company   x
       
        Emerging growth company   x

 

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. ¨

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be
Registered
  Amount
to be

Registered(1)
    Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share
    Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
    Amount of
Registration

Fee
 

2015 Equity Incentive Plan

Common Stock, $0.00001 par
value per share

    3,920,487 (2)   $ 4.32 (5)   $ 16,936,503.84     $ 1,847.77  

2021 Equity Incentive Plan

Common Stock, $0.00001 par
value per share

    1,727,953 (3)   $ 23.22 (6)   $ 40,123,068.66     $ 4,377.43  

2021 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan

Common Stock, $0.00001 par
value per share

    172,795 (4)   $ 19.74 (7)   $ 3,410,973.30     $ 372.14  
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price
    5,821,235       N/A     $ 60,470,545.80       6,597.34  

 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of the Registrant’s common stock that become issuable under the Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) and the Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or similar transaction effected without the Registrant’s receipt of consideration which would increase the number of outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plans described herein.
   
(2) Represents shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock options granted under the 2015 Plan. No additional stock awards will be granted under the 2015 Plan
   
(3) Represents shares reserved for future grants under the 2021 Plan.  Pursuant to an evergreen provision of the 2021 Plan, an additional number of shares will automatically be added to the shares authorized for issuance under the 2021 Plan on January 1 of each calendar year, from January 1, 2021 through January 1, 2031. The number of shares added each year will be equal to: (a) 5% of the total number of shares of capital stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year; or (b) such lesser number of shares of Common Stock as is determined by the Registrant’s board of directors (the “Board”) for the applicable year.
   
(4) Represents shares reserved for future grants under the ESSP. Pursuant to an evergreen provision of the ESSP, an additional number of shares will automatically be added to the shares authorized for issuance under the ESPP on January 1 of each calendar year, from January 1, 2021 through January 1, 2031. The number of shares added each year will be equal to: (a) 0.5% of the total number of shares of capital stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding calendar year; or (b) such lesser number of shares of Common Stock as is determined by the Board for the applicable year.
   
(5) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per share and proposed maximum aggregate offering price are calculated using the weighted-average exercise price for such stock options.
   
(6) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per share and proposed maximum aggregate offering price are calculated on the basis of the average of the high and the low prices of the common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on April 22, 2021.
   
(7) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per share and proposed maximum aggregate offering price are calculated on the basis of $17.00 per share, which is 85% of the average of the high and the low prices of the common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on April 22, 2021 (the percentage of the price per share applicable to purchases under the 2021 ESPP)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

 

The information called for by Part I of Form S-8 is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the instructions to Form S-8. In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the instructions to Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the SEC either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 of the Securities Act.

 

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

In this registration statement, Akoya Biosciences, Inc. is sometimes referred to as “Registrant,” “we,” “us” or “our.”

 

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

 

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this registration statement, and later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede this information. We hereby incorporate by reference into this registration statement the following documents previously filed with the SEC:

 

(a)The prospectus filed by the Registrant with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, on April 16, 2021, relating to the registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (No. 333-254760), which contains the Registrant’s audited financial statements for the latest fiscal year for which such statements have been filed; and

 

(b)The description of the Registrant’s common stock contained in the Registrant’s registration statement on Form 8-A (Registration No. 001-40344), filed by the Registrant with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on April 15, 2021, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

All documents that the Registrant subsequently files pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement which indicates that all of the shares of common stock offered have been sold or which deregisters all of such shares then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents; except as to any portion of any future annual or quarterly report to stockholders or document or current report furnished under current Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K, and exhibits furnished on such form that relate to such items, that is not deemed filed under such provisions. For the purposes of 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 to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or 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.

 

Under no circumstances will any information filed under current Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K, and exhibits furnished on such form that relate to such items, be deemed incorporated herein by reference unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary.

 

Item 4. Description of Securities.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains such a provision.

 

 

 

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities, including reimbursement for expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act.

 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law. Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that we may indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent (including the advancement of expenses pending the final disposition of any action or proceeding).

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and executive officers and other employees, and may enter into indemnification agreements with future directors, executive officers and other employees, to provide such directors, officers and employees additional contractual assurances regarding the scope of the indemnification set forth in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws and to provide additional procedural protections.

 

We may also purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of our directors, officers, employees and agents for any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether we would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her under Delaware law. We currently maintain a liability insurance policy pursuant to which our directors and officers may be indemnified against liability incurred as a result of serving in their capacities as directors and officers, subject to certain exclusions, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

The 2021 Plan provides, subject to certain limitations, for indemnification by us of any director, officer, or employee against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with any legal action arising from such person’s action or failure to act in administering the 2021 Plan.

 

The ESPP provides, subject to certain limitations, for indemnification by us of any director, officer or employee against all judgments, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with any legal action arising from such person’s action or failure to act in administering the ESPP.

 

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit       Incorporated by Reference   Filed
Number   Exhibit Description   Form   File No.   Exhibit   Filing Date   Herewith
                         
4.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as currently in effect.   S-1   333-254760   3.1   4/12/2021    
                         
4.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws, as currently in effect.   S-1   333-254760   3.2   3/26/2021    
                         
4.3   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to be in effect upon the closing of the Registrant’s initial public offering.   S-1   333-254760   3.3   3/262021    
                         
4.4   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws, to be in effect upon the closing of the Registrant’s initial public offering.   S-1   333-254760   3.4   3/26/2021    
                         
5.1   Opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US).                   X
                         
23.1   Consent of RSM US LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.                   X
                         
23.2   Consent of DLA Piper LLP (US) (included in Exhibit 5.1).                   X
                         
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement).                   X
                     
99.1   Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and form of stock option agreement thereunder.   S-1   333-254760   10.1   3/26/2021    
                         
99.2   Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan and form of stock option agreement thereunder.   S-1   333-254760   10.1   4/12/2021    
                         
99.3   Form of Stock Option Agreement under 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.                   X
                         
99.4   Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option under the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.                   X
                         
99.7   Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.   S-1   333-254760   10.1   4/12/2021    
                         
                                             

 

 

 

Item 9. Undertakings.

 

1. The Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(a)To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i)To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

(ii)To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

 

(b)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(d)That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i)Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii)Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

 

(iii)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

 

(iv)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

 

 

2. The Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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 the City of Marlborough, State of Massachusetts, on this 23rd day of April, 2021.

 

  Akoya Biosciences, Inc.
     
  By:

/s/ Brian McKelligon

    Brian McKelligon
    President and Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below does hereby constitute and appoint Brian McKelligon and Joseph Driscoll and each of them, with full power of substitution and full power to act without the other, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act for him or her 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, and to file this registration statement, 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 order to effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes, as they or 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, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         

/s/ Brian McKelligon

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  April 23, 2021
Chad Robins
     

/s/ Joseph Driscoll

 

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  April 23, 2021
Joseph Driscoll
     

/s/ Garry Nolan

  Director   April 23, 2021
Garry Nolan, PhD
     

/s/ Thomas Raffin

  Director   April 23, 2021
Thomas Raffin, MD
     

/s/ Thomas P. Schnettler

  Director   April 23, 2021
Thomas P. Schnettler
     

/s/ Robert Shepler

  Chairman of the Board   April 23, 2021
Robert Shepler
     

/s/ Matthew Winkler

  Director   April 23, 2021
Matthew Winkler, PhD

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

DLA Piper LLP (US)

4365 Executive Drive, Suite 1100

San Diego, California 92121-2133

T: (858) 677-1400

F: (858) 677-1401

www.dlapiper.com

 

April 23, 2021

 

Palomar Holdings, Inc.

7979 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 500

La Jolla, CA 92037

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as legal counsel for Akoya Biosciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “ Registration Statement ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act ”), for the registration of an aggregate of 5,821,235 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) , including (i) 3,920,487 share of Common Stock (the “2015 Shares”) pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 EIP”), (ii) 1,727,953 shares of Common Stock (the “2021 Shares”) pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 EIP”) and (iii) 172,795 shares of Common Stock (the “ESPP Shares” and together with the 2015 Shares and the 2021 Shares, the “Shares”) pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP” and together with the 2015 EIP and the 2021 EIP, the “Plans”).

 

In connection herewith, we have examined and relied without independent investigation as to matters of fact upon such certificates of public officials, such statements and certificates of officers of the Company and originals or copies certified to our satisfaction of the Registration Statement, the Plans, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, and the Bylaws of the Company as currently in effect and minutes of all pertinent meetings and actions of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

In rendering this opinion, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on all documents examined by us, the due authority of the parties signing such documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and that the offer and sale of the Shares complies in all respects with the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in the Registration Statement and the Plans. The Company has represented to us and we have also assumed that the Company has reserved from its duly authorized capital stock a sufficient number of shares of common stock for issuance under the Plans. We have also assumed that it will at all times reserve and keep available out of the aggregate of its authorized but unissued and otherwise unreserved common stock, solely for the purpose of enabling it to issue the Shares in accordance with the Plans, as applicable, the number of Shares which are then issuable and deliverable upon the settlement of awards under the Plans.

 

We do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the laws of the State of California, Delaware General Corporation Law and the federal law of the United States. No opinion is expressed herein with respect to the qualification of the Shares under the securities or blue sky laws of any state or any foreign jurisdiction.

 

 

 

This opinion speaks only at and as of its date and is based solely on the facts and circumstances known to us and as of such date. In addition, in rendering this opinion, we assume no obligation to revise, update or supplement this opinion (i) should the present aforementioned laws be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise, or (ii) to reflect any facts or circumstances which may hereafter come to our attention.

 

Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion and so advise you that the issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized and, when issued, delivered and fully paid for in accordance with the terms of the Registration Statement and the Plans, such Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. 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/ DLA PIPER LLP (US)

 

 

 

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 Akoya Biosciences, Inc. of our report dated March 12, 2021, except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 17 as to which the date is April 12, 2021, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Akoya Biosciences Inc. and its subsidiary, appearing in the Registration Statement (No. 333-254760) on Form S-1, as amended, and the related prospectus of Akoya Biosciences, Inc.

 

/s/ RSM US LLP

 

Boston, Massachusetts

April 23, 2021

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

Akoya Biosciences, Inc.

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

(For U.S. Participants)

 

Akoya Biosciences, Inc. (the Company) has granted to the Participant named in the Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the Grant Notice) to which this Stock Option Agreement (the Option Agreement) is attached an option (the Option) to purchase certain shares of Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and this Option Agreement. The Option has been granted pursuant to and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan), as amended to the Date of Grant, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing the Grant Notice, the Participant: (a) acknowledges receipt of, and represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with, the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement, the Plan and a prospectus for the Plan prepared in connection with the registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of shares issuable pursuant to the Option (the Plan Prospectus), (b) accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan and (c) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions arising under the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement or the Plan.

 

1.            Definitions and Construction.

 

1.1            Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Grant Notice or the Plan.

 

1.2            Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Option Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

 

2.            Tax Consequences.

 

2.1            Tax Status of Option. This Option is intended to have the tax status designated in the Grant Notice.

 

(a)            Incentive Stock Option. If the Grant Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code, but the Company does not represent or warrant that this Option qualifies as such. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s own tax advisor regarding the tax effects of this Option and the requirements necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. (NOTE TO PARTICIPANT: If the Option is exercised more than three (3) months after the date on which you cease to be an Employee (other than by reason of your death or permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the Option will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option and not as an Incentive Stock Option to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code.)

 

 

 

 

(b)            Nonstatutory Stock Option. If the Grant Notice so designates, this Option is intended to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option and shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

 

2.2            ISO Fair Market Value Limitation. If the Grant Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, then to the extent that the Option (together with all Incentive Stock Options granted to the Participant under all stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan) becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year for shares having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 2.2, options designated as Incentive Stock Options are taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock is determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 2.2, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If the Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 2.2, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option. (NOTE TO PARTICIPANT: If the aggregate Exercise Price of the Option (that is, the Exercise Price multiplied by the Number of Option Shares) plus the aggregate exercise price of any other Incentive Stock Options you hold (whether granted pursuant to the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Participating Company Group) is greater than $100,000, you should contact the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to ascertain whether the entire Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option.)

 

3.            Administration.

 

All questions of interpretation concerning the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement, the Plan or any other form of agreement or other document employed by the Company in the administration of the Plan or the Option shall be determined by the Committee. All such determinations by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Option, unless fraudulent or made in bad faith. Any and all actions, decisions and determinations taken or made by the Committee in the exercise of its discretion pursuant to the Plan or the Option or other agreement thereunder (other than determining questions of interpretation pursuant to the preceding sentence) shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election.

 

4.            Exercise of the Option.

 

4.1            Right to Exercise. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option shall be exercisable prior to the termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to exceed the number of Vested Shares less the number of shares previously acquired upon exercise of the Option. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more shares than the Number of Option Shares, as adjusted pursuant to Section 9.

 

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4.2            Method of Exercise. Exercise of the Option shall be by means of electronic or written notice (the Exercise Notice) in a form authorized by the Company. An electronic Exercise Notice must be digitally signed or authenticated by the Participant in such manner as required by the notice and transmitted to the Company or an authorized representative of the Company (including a third-party administrator designated by the Company). In the event that the Participant is not authorized or is unable to provide an electronic Exercise Notice, the Option shall be exercised by a written Exercise Notice addressed to the Company, which shall be signed by the Participant and delivered in person, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by confirmed facsimile transmission, or by such other means as the Company may permit, to the Company, or an authorized representative of the Company (including a third-party administrator designated by the Company). Each Exercise Notice, whether electronic or written, must state the Participant’s election to exercise the Option, the number of whole shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised and such other representations and agreements as to the Participant’s investment intent with respect to such shares as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this Option Agreement. Further, each Exercise Notice must be received by the Company prior to the termination of the Option as set forth in Section 6 and must be accompanied by full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such electronic or written Exercise Notice and the aggregate Exercise Price.

 

4.3            Payment of Exercise Price.

 

(a)            Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in cash, by check or in cash equivalent; (ii) if permitted by the Company and subject to the limitations contained in Section 4.3(b), by means of (1) a Cashless Exercise, (2) a Net-Exercise, or (3) a Stock Tender Exercise; or (iii) by any combination of the foregoing.

 

(b)            Limitations on Forms of Consideration. The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedure providing for payment of the Exercise Price through any of the means described below, including with respect to the Participant notwithstanding that such program or procedures may be available to others.

 

(i)            Cashless Exercise. A Cashless Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed Exercise Notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker in a form acceptable to the Company providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option in an amount not less than the aggregate Exercise Price for such shares (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System).

 

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(ii)            Net-Exercise. A Net-Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed Exercise Notice electing a procedure pursuant to which (1) the Company will reduce the number of shares otherwise issuable to the Participant upon the exercise of the Option by the largest whole number of shares having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised, and (2) the Participant shall pay to the Company in cash the remaining balance of such aggregate Exercise Price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Following a Net-Exercise, the number of shares remaining subject to the Option, if any, shall be reduced by the sum of (1) the net number of shares issued to the Participant upon such exercise, and (2) the number of shares deducted by the Company for payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.

 

(iii)            Stock Tender Exercise. A Stock Tender Exercise means the delivery of a properly executed Exercise Notice accompanied by (1) the Participant’s tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, in a form acceptable to the Company of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares with respect to which the Option is exercised, and (2) the Participant’s payment to the Company in cash of the remaining balance of such aggregate Exercise Price not satisfied by such shares’ Fair Market Value. A Stock Tender Exercise shall not be permitted if it would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. If required by the Company, the Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for a period of time required by the Company (and not used for another option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.

 

4.4            Tax Withholding.

 

(a)            In General. At the time the Option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by a Participating Company, the Participant hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including by means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax (including any social insurance) withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise in connection with the Option. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock until the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group have been satisfied by the Participant.

 

(b)            Withholding in Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to require the Participant to satisfy all or any portion of a Participating Company’s tax withholding obligations upon exercise of the Option by deducting from the shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon such exercise a number of whole shares having a fair market value, as determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the amount of such tax withholding obligations determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates if required to avoid liability classification of the Option under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

 

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4.5            Beneficial Ownership of Shares; Certificate Registration. The Participant hereby authorizes the Company, in its sole discretion, to deposit for the benefit of the Participant with any broker with which the Participant has an account relationship of which the Company has notice any or all shares acquired by the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option. Except as provided by the preceding sentence, a certificate for the shares as to which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the Participant, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Participant.

 

4.6            Restrictions on Grant of the Option and Issuance of Shares. The grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. The Option may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, the Option may not be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE PARTICIPANT IS CAUTIONED THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE PARTICIPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Option shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

 

4.7            Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.

 

5.            Nontransferability of the Option.

 

During the lifetime of the Participant, the Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. The Option shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

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6.            Termination of the Option.

 

The Option shall terminate and may no longer be exercised after the first to occur of (a) the date on which the close of business on the Option Expiration Date, (B) the close of business on the last date for exercising the Option following termination of the Participant’s Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a Change in Control to the extent provided in Section 8.

 

7.            Effect of Termination of Service.

 

7.1            Option Exercisability. The Option shall terminate immediately upon the Participant’s termination of Service to the extent that it is then unvested and shall be exercisable after the Participant’s termination of Service to the extent it is then vested only during the applicable time period as determined below and thereafter shall terminate.

 

(a)            Disability. If the Participant’s Service as an employee terminates because of the Disability of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for Vested Shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

(b)            Death. If the Participant’s Service as an employee terminates because of the death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for Vested Shares on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by reason of the Participant’s death at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. The Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death if the Participant dies within three (3) months after the Participant’s termination of Service.

 

(c)            Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Option Agreement to the contrary, if the Participant’s Service as an employee is terminated for Cause or if, following the Participant’s termination of Service and during any period in which the Option otherwise would remain exercisable, the Participant engages in any act that would constitute Cause, the Option shall terminate in its entirety and cease to be exercisable immediately upon such termination of Service or act.

 

(d)            Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason in Connection with a Change in Control. If the Participant’s Service as an employee is terminated by the Company without Cause or by resignation by the Participant for Good Reason, in either case (i) within six months prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Participant that such termination of employment (I) was at the request of a third party that has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (II) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change in Control, or (ii) within 24 months after a Change in Control, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable on the date on the later of the date on which such Change in Control occurs or the effective date of such termination of Service and shall remain exercisable for a period of one year thereafter, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

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(e)            Other Termination of Service. If the Participant’s Service as an employee terminates for any reason, except Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable for Vested Shares by the Participant on the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, may be exercised by the Participant at any time prior to the expiration of three (3) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

7.2            Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, other than termination of the Participant’s Service for Cause, if the exercise of the Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 7.1 is prevented by the provisions of Section 4.6, the Option shall remain exercisable until the later of (a) thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions, or (b) the end of the applicable time period under Section 7.1, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

 

8.            Effect of Change in Control.

 

In the event of a Change in Control, the Option shall be subject to the definitive agreement entered into by the Company in connection with the Change in Control. Except to the extent that the Committee determines to cash out the Option in accordance with Section 13.1(c) of the Plan, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the Acquiror), may, without the consent of the Participant, assume or continue in full force and effect the Company’s rights and obligations under all or any portion of the Option or substitute for all or any portion of the Option a substantially equivalent option for the Acquiror’s stock. For purposes of this Section, the Option or any portion thereof shall be deemed assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Option confers the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, for each share of Stock subject to such portion of the Option immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, other securities or property or a combination thereof) to which a holder of a share of Stock on the effective date of the Change in Control was entitled (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stock); provided, however, that if such consideration is not solely common stock of the Acquiror, the Committee may, with the consent of the Acquiror, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each share of Stock subject to the Option, to consist solely of common stock of the Acquiror equal in Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Stock pursuant to the Change in Control. The Option shall become fully vested and exercisable immediately prior to the closing date of a Change in Control to the extent that the Option is neither assumed nor continued by the Acquiror in connection with the Change in Control.

 

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9.            Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure.

 

Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company and the requirements of Sections 409A and 424 of the Code to the extent applicable, in the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the stockholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting normal cash dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number, Exercise Price and kind of shares subject to the Option, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the Participant’s rights under the Option. For purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as “effected without receipt of consideration by the Company.” Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number and the Exercise Price shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent. In no event may the Exercise Price be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. The Committee in its sole discretion, may also make such adjustments in the terms of the Option to reflect, or related to, such changes in the capital structure of the Company or distributions as it deems appropriate. All adjustments pursuant to this Section shall be determined by the Committee, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

10.            Rights as a Stockholder, Director, Employee or Consultant.

 

The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Option until the date of the issuance of the shares for which the Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date the shares are issued, except as provided in Section 9. If the Participant is an Employee, the Participant understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating Company and the Participant, the Participant’s employment is “at will” and is for no specified term. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to terminate the Participant’s Service as a Director, an Employee or Consultant, as the case may be, at any time.

 

11.            Notice of Sales Upon Disqualifying Disposition.

 

The Participant shall dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option only in accordance with the provisions of this Option Agreement. In addition, if the Grant Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant shall (a) promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company if the Participant disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option within one (1) year after the date the Participant exercises all or part of the Option or within two (2) years after the Date of Grant and (b) provide the Company with a description of the circumstances of such disposition. Until such time as the Participant disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the Company, the Participant shall hold all shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the Participant’s name (and not in the name of any nominee) for the one-year period immediately after the exercise of the Option and the two-year period immediately after Date of Grant. At any time during the one-year or two-year periods set forth above, the Company may place a legend on any certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option requesting the transfer agent for the Company’s stock to notify the Company of any such transfers. The obligation of the Participant to notify the Company of any such transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has been placed on the certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence.

 

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12.            Legends.

 

The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates representing shares of stock subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

 

“THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATION TO THE REGISTERED HOLDER UPON EXERCISE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 422 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (“ISO). IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE PREFERENTIAL TAX TREATMENT AFFORDED TO ISOs, THE SHARES SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO [INSERT DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION DATE HERE]. SHOULD THE REGISTERED HOLDER ELECT TO TRANSFER ANY OF THE SHARES PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND FOREGO ISO TAX TREATMENT, THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE SHARES SHALL NOTIFY THE CORPORATION IMMEDIATELY. THE REGISTERED HOLDER SHALL HOLD ALL SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION IN THE REGISTERED HOLDER’S NAME (AND NOT IN THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE) PRIOR TO THIS DATE OR UNTIL TRANSFERRED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.”

 

13.            Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

13.1            Termination or Amendment. The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 8 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or amendment may have a materially adverse effect on the Option or any unexercised portion thereof without the consent of the Participant unless such termination or amendment is necessary to comply with any applicable law or government regulation. No amendment or addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in writing.

 

13.2            Further Instruments. The parties hereto agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to carry out the intent of this Option Agreement.

 

13.3            Binding Effect. This Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company and, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

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13.4            Delivery of Documents and Notices. Any document relating to participation in the Plan or any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent that this Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt of such notice) upon personal delivery, electronic delivery at the e-mail address, if any, provided for the Participant by a Participating Company, or upon deposit in the U.S. Post Office or foreign postal service, by registered or certified mail, or with a nationally recognized overnight courier service, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address of such party set forth in the Grant Notice or at such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

 

(a)            Description of Electronic Delivery and Signature. The Plan documents, which may include but do not necessarily include: the Plan, the Grant Notice, this Option Agreement, the Plan Prospectus, and any reports of the Company provided generally to the Company’s stockholders, may be delivered to the Participant electronically. In addition, if permitted by the Company, the Participant may deliver electronically the Grant Notice and Exercise Notice called for by Section 4.2 to the Company or to such third party involved in administering the Plan as the Company may designate from time to time. Such means of electronic delivery may include but do not necessarily include the delivery of a link to a Company intranet or the Internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail or such other means of electronic delivery specified by the Company. Any and all such documents and notices may be electronically signed.

 

(b)            Consent to Electronic Delivery and Signature. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has read Section 13.4(a) of this Option Agreement and consents to the electronic delivery of the Plan documents and, if permitted by the Company, the delivery of the Grant Notice and Exercise Notice, as described in Section 13.4(a). The Participant agrees that any and all such documents requiring a signature may be electronically signed and that such electronic signature shall have the same effect as handwritten signature for the purposes of validity, enforceability and admissibility. The Participant acknowledges that he or she may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost to the Participant by contacting the Company by telephone or in writing. The Participant further acknowledges that the Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. Similarly, the Participant understands that the Participant must provide the Company or any designated third party administrator with a paper copy of any documents if the attempted electronic delivery of such documents fails. The Participant may revoke his or her consent to the electronic delivery of documents described in Section 13.4(a) or may change the electronic mail address to which such documents are to be delivered (if the Participant has provided an electronic mail address) at any time by notifying the Company of such revoked consent or revised e-mail address by telephone, postal service or electronic mail. Finally, the Participant understands that he or she is not required to consent to electronic delivery of documents described in Section 13.4(a).

 

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13.5            Integrated Agreement. The Grant Notice, this Option Agreement and the Plan, together with the Superseding Agreement, if any, shall constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersede any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations, or warranties among the Participant and the Participating Company Group with respect to such subject matter. To the extent contemplated herein, the provisions of the Grant Notice, the Option Agreement and the Plan shall survive any exercise of the Option and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

13.6            Applicable Law. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware as such laws are applied to agreements between Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware.

 

13.7            Counterparts. The Grant Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

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Exhibit 99.4

 

Akoya Biosciences, Inc.

NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION

(For U.S. Participants)

 

Akoya Biosciences, Inc. (the Company) has granted to the Participant an option (the Option) to purchase certain shares of Stock pursuant to the Akoya Biosciences, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan), as follows:

 

Participant:     Employee ID:
         
Date of Grant:    
     
Number of Option Shares:   , subject to adjustment as provided by the Option Agreement.

 

Exercise Price: $    
       

Vesting Start Date:    
     
Option Expiration Date: The tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant
   

Tax Status of Option:                                          Stock Option.  (Enter “Incentive” or “Nonstatutory.”  If blank, this Option will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option.)
   

Vested Shares: Except as provided in the Option Agreement and provided the Participant’s Service has not terminated prior to the applicable date, the number of Vested Shares (disregarding any resulting fractional share) as of any date is determined by multiplying the Number of Option Shares by the Vested Ratio determined as of such date, as follows:
   

    Vested Ratio
  Prior to first anniversary of Vesting Start Date 0
     
  On first anniversary of Vesting Start Date (the Initial Vesting Date)
1/4
  Plus  
     
  For each additional full month of the Participant’s Service from the Initial Vesting Date until the Vested Ratio equals 1/1, an additional

 

 

1/48

Superseding Agreement: None

 

By their signatures below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, the Company and the Participant agree that the Option is governed by this Grant Notice and by the provisions of the Option Agreement and the Plan, both of which are made a part of this document, and by the Superseding Agreement, if any. The Participant acknowledges that copies of the Plan, the Option Agreement and the prospectus for the Plan are available on the Company’s internal web site and may be viewed and printed by the Participant for attachment to the Participant’s copy of this Grant Notice. The Participant represents that the Participant has read and is familiar with the provisions of the Option Agreement and the Plan, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of their terms and conditions.

 

AKOYA BIOSCIENCES, INC.   PARTICIPANT
     
By:  
[officer name]   Signature
[officer title]  
    Date
Address:    
      Address
     

 

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended to the Date of Grant; Stock Option Agreement, Exercise Notice and Plan Prospectus