Immatics N.V 6-K, filed Jun 3, 2024
Immatics N.V. (IMTX)
About this 6-K
Immatics N.V filed this 6-K on June 3, 2024.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
June 3, 2024
Commission File Number: 001-39363
IMMATICS N.V.
Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 15
72076 Tübingen, Federal Republic of Germany
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
| Form 20-F | ☒ |
Form 40-F | ☐ |
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K
On June 3, 2024, Immatics N.V. (the “Company”) made available to its shareholders a convening notice to the Company’s annual general meeting. The annual general meeting is expected to take place on June 20, 2024 at 16:00 hours CEST at the offices of NautaDutilh N.V., Beethovenstraat 400, 1082 PR Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit No. | Description |
| 99.1 | Convening Notice for the Annual General Meeting |
| 99.2 | Agenda for the Annual General Meeting |
| 99.3 | Proxy Card |
| 99.4 | Form of 2024 Immatics Stock Option & Incentive Plan |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| IMMATICS N.V. | ||
| Date: June 3, 2024 | ||
| By: | /s/ Harpreet Singh | |
| Name: | Harpreet Singh | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Exhibit 99.1
CONVENING NOTICE OF the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
IMMATICS N.V.
This is the convening notice for the annual general meeting of Immatics N.V., a public company under Dutch law, registered with the Dutch trade register under number 77595726 (the “Company”), to be held at the offices of NautaDutilh N.V., Beethovenstraat 400, 1082 PR Amsterdam, the Netherlands on 20 June 2024 at 16:00 hours CEST (the “AGM”).
Agenda
The agenda for the AGM and related documents and further information regarding the AGM can be found on the Company’s website at https://investors.immatics.com/events/event-details/annual-general-meeting-2024-1. They are also available for inspection and can be obtained free of charge at the offices of the Company.
Record date
The record date for the AGM is 23 May 2024 (“Record Date”). Each share outstanding on the Record Date entitles the holder thereof to one vote on each voting item at the AGM.
Shareholders of Record and Beneficial Owners
Those who are shareholders of the Company, or who otherwise have voting rights and/or meeting rights with respect to shares in the Company’s capital, on the Record Date and who are recorded as such in the Company’s shareholders’ register and/or in the records of the Company’s U.S. transfer agent may attend and, if relevant, vote at the AGM (“Shareholders of Record”), irrespective of changes to their shareholdings or rights after the Record Date.
Those who beneficially own shares in the Company’s capital through a bank, broker or other nominee on the Record Date (the “Beneficial Owners”), must also have their financial intermediary or their agent with whom the underlying shares are on deposit issue a proxy to them which confirms they are authorized to take part in and vote at the AGM.
Attendance
A Shareholder of Record or Beneficial Owner who wishes to attend the AGM, in person or represented by proxy, must notify the Company of its intention to attend the AGM (the “Attendance Notice”) by email to investorrelations@immatics.com no later than 18:00 hours CEST on 14 June 2024 (the “Cut-off Time”). The Attendance Notice must contain the name and the number of shares the Shareholder of Record or Beneficial Owner will represent at the AGM.
A Beneficial Owner must enclose with its Attendance Notice:
| (a) | proof of its beneficial ownership of the relevant underlying shares in the Company’s capital, for instance a recent account statement; and |
| (b) | a signed proxy from the bank, broker or other nominee who is registered in the Company’s register of shareholders and/or in the records of the Company’s U.S. transfer agent as the holder of the relevant underlying shares on the Record Date. |
A Shareholder of Record or Beneficial Owner who wishes to attend the AGM represented by proxy must enclose its signed proxy. Proxyholders must submit a signed proxy to the Company by email to investorrelations@immatics.com no later than the Cut-off Time and present a copy of their proxy upon entry to the AGM. A proxy form can be downloaded from the Company’s website at https://investors.immatics.com/events/event-details/annual-general-meeting-2024-1.
Any Attendance Notice, proof of beneficial ownership or signed proxy received after the Cut-off Time may be disregarded. Shareholders of Record, Beneficial Owners and proxyholders who have not complied with the procedures described above may be refused entry to the AGM.
All attendees must be prepared to show a valid proof of identity for admittance.
To avoid misunderstandings, the procedures outlined above do not apply with respect to proxy cards solicited through Broadridge, the Company’s proxy solicitor. Shareholders of Record using such a proxy card should follow the instructions and observe the deadlines specified on the proxy card they receive.
How to vote
Shareholders of Record and Beneficial Owners may vote in person or represented by proxy at the AGM in accordance with the procedures described above. Beneficial Owners may have their shares voted by following the procedures specified on their broker’s voting instruction form. Shortly before the AGM, the brokers will tabulate the votes they have received and submit one or more proxy cards to the Company reflecting the aggregate votes of the Beneficial Owners.
Contact details
For further information please contact the Company’s Investor Relations Department by e-mail at investorrelations@immatics.com.
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Exhibit 99.2
AGENDA of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF immatics N.V.
Agenda of the annual general meeting of Immatics N.V., a public company under Dutch law, registered with the Dutch trade register under number 77595726 (the “Company”), to be held at the offices of NautaDutilh N.V., Beethovenstraat 400, 1082 PR Amsterdam, the Netherlands on 20 June 2024 at 16:00 hours CEST (the “AGM”).
| 1. | Opening | ||
| 2. | Discussion of the statutory board report regarding the financial year ended 31 December 2023 | Discussion item | |
| 3. | Discussion of the Company’s dividend and reservation policy | Discussion item | |
| 4. | Adoption of the statutory annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2023 | Voting item | |
| 5. | Discharge from liability for the members of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) with respect to the performance of their duties during the financial year ended 31 December 2023 | Voting item | |
| 6. | Reappointment of Mr. M.G. Atieh as non-executive director class I | Voting item | |
| 7. | Reappointment of Mr. P.R. Carter as non-executive director class I | Voting item | |
| 8. | Reppointment of Dr. E.R. Forster as non-executive director class I | Voting item | |
| 9. | Extension of the authorisation of the Board to issue ordinary shares and to grant rights to subscribe for ordinary shares | Voting item | |
| 10. | Extension of the authorisation of the Board to limit or exclude pre-emption rights | Voting item | |
| 11. | Extension of the authorisation of the Board to acquire ordinary shares or depositary receipts thereof | Voting item | |
| 12. | Approval of the Company’s 2024 stock option and incentive plan | Voting item | |
| 13. | Instruction to PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V. as auditor for the financial year ending 31 December 2024 | Voting item | |
| 14. | Close |
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EXPLANATORY NOTES TO THE AGENDA of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF immatics N.V.
| 1. | Opening |
| 2. | Discussion of the statutory board report regarding the financial year ended 31 December 2023 (discussion item) |
The Company’s statutory board report regarding the financial year ended 31 December 2023 is available on the Company’s website at https://investors.immatics.com/events/event-details/annual-general-meeting-2024-1 and is available for inspection at the offices of the Company.
| 3. | Discussion of the Company’s dividend and reservation policy (discussion item) |
The Company intends to retain any earnings for future operations and expansion of its business. Under Dutch law, the Company may only pay dividends to the extent its shareholders’ equity (eigen vermogen) exceeds the sum of the Company’s paid-up and called-up share capital plus the reserves required to be maintained by Dutch law or by the Company’s articles of association (if any). Subject to such restrictions, any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of the Board and will depend upon a number of factors, including the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, overall financial condition, applicable law and contractual restrictions. If and when the Company does intend to distribute a dividend, such dividend may be distributed in the form of cash only or shares only, through a combination of the foregoing (cash and shares) or through a choice dividend (cash or shares), in each case subject to applicable law.
| 4. | Adoption of the statutory annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2023 (voting item) |
It is proposed that the statutory annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2023 as prepared in accordance with Dutch law be adopted. The adoption of the statutory annual accounts includes the allocation of the profit made in the financial year ended 31 December 2023. PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V. has audited the the statutory annual accounts and issued an auditor’s report in respect thereof.
The statutory annual accounts are available on the Company’s website at https://investors.immatics.com/events/event-details/annual-general-meeting-2024-1 and are available for inspection at the offices of the Company.
| 5. | Discharge from liability for the members of the Board with respect to the performance of their duties during the financial year ended 31 December 2023 (voting item) |
It is proposed that each member of the Board be granted a discharge from liability for the performance of their respective duties during the financial year ended 31 December 2023 to the extent appearing from the statutory annual accounts or the statutory board report for the financial year ended 31 December 2023 or other public disclosures.
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| 6. | Reappointment of Mr. M.G. Atieh as non-executive director class I (voting item) |
In accordance with the applicable provisions of the Company’s articles of association (the “Articles of Association”) and at the recommendation of the Company’s nominating and corporate governance committee (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”), the Board has made a binding nomination to reappoint Mr. M.G. Atieh as non-executive director. Mr. Atieh is proposed for reappointment for a period ending at the end of the annual general meeting of Company shareholders to be held in 2027.
Mr. Atieh has served as a member of the Company’s supervisory board since 2020. He was re-elected at the 2021 annual general meeting of the Company and, since the implementation of its one-tier board structure on July 1, 2021, he has and continues to serve as a non-executive director. From 2014 until his retirement in 2016, Mr. Atieh served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Business Officer of Ophthotech Inc. Prior to that, he served as Executive Chairman of Eyetech Inc., as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of OSI Pharmaceuticals, as Group President – Global Business Unit and as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cegedim Inc., and in various executive-level positions over a 19-year period at Merck and Co., Inc., including as Vice President – U.S. Human Health, Senior Vice President – Merck Medco Managed Care, Vice President – Public Affairs, Vice President – Government Relations, and Treasurer. In addition to the Board, Mr. Atieh serves on the board of directors of Chubb Group and has previously served on the board of directors of electroCore, Inc., Oyster Point Pharma, Inc., Theravance BioPharma, Eyetech Inc. and OSI Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Atieh holds a B.A. in accounting from Upsala College.
Mr. Atieh does not hold any shares in the share capital of the Company.
Since joining the Company in 2020, Mr. Atieh has and continues to serve as chair of the audit committee. Given Mr. Atieh’s extensive business leadership experience within the life sciences industry and valuable contribution to the Company, the Board is of the opinion that the Company will continue to benefit from Mr. Atieh’s membership on the Board.
It is proposed that Mr. M.G. Atieh be reappointed as non-executive director class I effective as of the date of the AGM. The proposed reappointment is for a continuous term ending at the close of the annual general meeting to be held in 2027.
In evaluating the proposal to nominate Mr. Atieh, the Board has considered the Company’s diversity objectives, the Company’s Board Profile and the Company’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy, among its other considerations.
| 7. | Reappointment of Mr. P.R. Carter non-executive director class I (voting item) |
In accordance with the applicable provisions of the Articles of Association and at the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board has made a binding nomination to reappoint Mr. P.R. Carter as non-executive director. Mr. Carter is proposed for reappointment for a period ending at the end of the annual general meeting of Company shareholders to be held in 2027.
Mr. Carter has served as a member of the Company’s supervisory board since 2020. He was re-elected at the 2021 annual general meeting of the Company and, since the implementation of its one-tier board structure on July 1, 2021, he has and continues to serve as a non-executive director. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Carter served as Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations of Gilead Sciences, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Carter served as Senior Vice President and Head, International Commercial Operations of Gilead Sciences, Inc. and in various senior positions over a 10-year period at GlaxoSmithKline plc, including as Regional Vice President, China & Hong Kong, Vice President and General Manager, Pharmaceutical & Consumer Health, Hong Kong & South China, and General Manager, SmithKline Beecham Consumer Health, Russia & CIS. In addition to the Board, Mr. Carter serves on the board of directors of Evox Therapeutics Ltd, Mallinckrodt PLC and Hutchison China MediTech Ltd. and has previously served on the board of directors of Alder Biopharmaceuticals Inc. Mr. Carter also serves as an advisor to Astorg Partners SAS, ZambonGroup, Indegene Inc. and GLG Institute. Mr. Carter holds a B.A. in business studies from the University of West London.
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Mr. Carter does not hold any shares in the share capital of the Company.
Since joining the Company in 2020, Mr. Carter has and continues to serve as chair of the compensation committee. Given Mr. Carter’s extensive business leadership experience within the life sciences industry and valuable contribution to the Company, the Board is of the opinion that the Company will continue to benefit from Mr. Carter’s membership on the Board.
It is proposed that Mr. P.R. Carter be reappointed as non-executive director class I effective as of the date of the AGM. The proposed reappointment is for a continuous term ending at the close of the annual general meeting to be held in 2027.
In evaluating the proposal to nominate Mr. Carter, the Board has considered the Company’s diversity objectives, the Company’s Board Profile and the Company’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy, among its other considerations.
| 8. | Reappointment of Dr. E.R. Forster as non-executive director class I (voting item) |
In accordance with the applicable provisions of the Articles of Association and at the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board has made a binding nomination to reappoint Dr. E.R. Forster as non-executive director. Dr. Forster is proposed for reappointment for a period ending at the end of the annual general meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held in 2027.
Dr. Forster has served as a member of the Company’s supervisory board since 2020, when he was first temorarily appointed as a suprvisory director in accordance with the Articles of Association. He was then elected at the 2021 annual general meeting of the Company and, since the implementation of its one-tier board structure on July 1, 2021, he has and continues to serve as a non-executive director. Since 2023, Dr. Forser serves as chief executive officer of Levicept Ltd. From 2018-2023, Dr. Forster served as the Chief Executive Officer of F-star Therapeutics Ltd. From 2015 to 2018, Dr. Forster served as the Chief Executive Officer of Immunocore Limited. Prior to that, Dr. Forster served as the Chief Executive Officer of Creabilis SA, as the Chief Executive Officer of Solace Pharmaceuticals Inc., as Head of Development and Operations for the EU and Asia at Pfizer Inc. Dr. Forster is a visiting Professor of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine at the University of Liverpool and an honorary international visiting Professor at the University of Pavia. Dr. Forster serves on the board of directors of Avacta plc, Ochre Bio, Proalix Inc., and Tessellate Bio. He has previously served on the board of directors of OSCHR (Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research), the National Genomics Board, F-star Therapeutics Ltd., MedCity Ltd., Liverpool Health Partners, Advanced Oxford CIC, Spinifex Pty Ltd, Oxford BioTherapeutics and Atlantic Healthcare (UK) Ltd. Dr. Forster holds a B.Sc. in physiology from the Unversity of Liverpool, an M.B.A. from Henley Business School and a Ph.D. in neurophysiology from the University of Liverpool.
Dr. Forster does not hold any shares in the share capital of the Company.
Since joining the Company in 2020, Dr. Forster has and continues to serve on the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee. Given Dr. Carter’s extensive experience within the life sciences industry and valuable contribution to the Company, the Board is of the opinion that the Company will continue to benefit from Dr. Forster’s membership on the Board.
It is proposed that Dr. E.R. Forster be reappointed as non-executive director class I effective as of the date of the AGM. The proposed reappointment is for a continuous term ending at the close of the annual general meeting to be held in 2027.
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In evaluating the proposal to nominate Dr. Forster, the Board has considered the Company’s diversity objectives, the Company’s Board Profile and the Company’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy, among its other considerations.
| 9. | Extension of the authorisation of the Board to issue ordinary shares and to grant rights to subscribe for ordinary shares (voting item) |
On 30 June 2020, the General Meeting designated the Board as the corporate body authorised to resolve to issue ordinary shares in the Company's capital and/or to grant rights to subscribe for ordinary shares in the Company's capital up to the authorised share capital as included in the Company's articles of association from time to time, for a period ending on 1 July 2025.
It is proposed that this authorisation be extended for a period ending five years following the date of the AGM.
| 10. | Extension of the authorisation of the Board to limit or exclude pre-emption rights (voting item) |
On 30 June 2020, the General Meeting designated the Board as the corporate body authorised to resolve upon the limitation or exclusion of pre-emption rights in relation to any issuance of ordinary shares in the Company's capital or granting of rights to subscribe for such ordinary shares which the Board is authorised to perform, for a period ending on 1 July 2025.
It is proposed that this authorisation be extended for a period ending five years following the date of the the AGM in relation to any issuance of ordinary shares in the Company's capital or granting of rights to subscribe for such ordinary shares pursuant to the authorisation referred to in agenda item 9. (if granted).
| 11. | Extension of the authorisation of the Board to acquire ordinary shares or depositary receipts thereof (voting item) |
On 20 June 2023, the General Meeting authorised the Board to acquire ordinary shares in the share capital of the Company or depositary receipts thereof for consideration for a period of eighteen months, commencing on 20 June 2023.
It is proposed that the authorisation of the Board to acquire ordinary shares in the share capital of the Company or depositary receipts thereof for consideration be extended for a period of eighteen months, commencing on the date of the AGM.
The maximum number of ordinary shares permitted pursuant to applicable law and the Articles of Association from time to time may be acquired and ordinary shares may be acquired through repurchases negotiated in the open market or privately, in self-tender offers, or through accelerated repurchase arrangements, at prices ranging from the nominal value of the ordinary shares up to 110% of the market price of the ordinary shares, provided that:
| (a) | for open market or privately negotiated repurchases, the market price shall be the price for ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market at the time the transaction is agreed upon by the Company; |
| (b) | for self-tender offers, the market price shall be the volume weighted average price for the ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market during a period, determined by the Board, of no less than one and no more than five consecutive trading days immediately prior to the expiration of the tender offer; and |
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| (c) | for accelerated repurchase arrangements, the market price shall be the volume weighted average price of the ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market over the term of the arrangement; the volume weighted average price for any number of trading days shall be calculated as the arithmetic average of the daily volume weighted average price on those trading days. |
| 12. | Approval of the Company’s 2024 stock option and incentive plan (the “Plan”) (voting item) |
On 13 June 2022, the general meeting of the Company adopted the current stock option and incentive plan. The Board is now proposing to adopt the Plan, which shall replace the current stock option and incentive plan.
The proposed Plan is available on the Company's website at https://investors.immatics.com/events/event-details/annual-general-meeting-2024-1 and is available for inspection at the offices of the Company.
| 13. | Instruction of PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V. as auditor for the financial year ending 31 December 2024 (voting item) |
PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V. has audited the Company’s statutory annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2023.
It is proposed to instruct PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V. as the external independent Dutch auditor for the audit of the Company’s statutory annual accounts and its statutory annual report for the financial year 2024.
| 14. | Close |
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Exhibit 99.3
Exhibit 99.4
IMMATICS N.V. 2024 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN
| SECTION 1. | GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS |
The name of the plan is the Immatics N.V. 2024 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of the Company and its Affiliates upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the successful conduct of its business to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company. 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” means the Board.
“Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 of the Act. The Administrator will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.
“Award” or “Awards,” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, and Dividend Equivalent Rights.
“Award Agreement” means a written or electronic document setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a recipient. Each Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
“Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Cash-Based Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive a cash-denominated payment.
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.
“Consultant” means a consultant or adviser who provides bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate as an independent contractor and who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under Instruction A.1.(a)(1) of Form S-8 under the Act.
“Company” means Immatics N.V.
“Director” means a member of the Board.
“Dividend Equivalent Right” means an Award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the Shares specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other award to which it relates) if such Shares had been issued to and held by the grantee.
“Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan became effective as set forth in Section 19.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
“Fair Market Value” of the Shares on any given date means the fair market value of the Shares determined in good faith by the Administrator; provided, however, that if the Shares are listed on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”), NASDAQ Global Market, The New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange or traded on any established market, the determination shall be made by reference to market quotations. If there are no market quotations for such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which there are market quotations.
“Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
“Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
“Option” or “Stock Option” means any option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Section 5.
“Restricted Shares” means the Shares underlying a Restricted Stock Award that remain subject to a risk of forfeiture or the Company’s right of repurchase.
“Restricted Stock Award” means an Award of Restricted Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.
“Restricted Stock Units” means an Award of stock units subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.
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“Sale Event” means (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to a person or entity that is not an Affiliate or group thereof acting in concert, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation pursuant to which the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting power and outstanding Shares immediately prior to such transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding voting power and outstanding shares or other equity interests of the resulting or successor entity (or its ultimate parent, if applicable) immediately upon completion of such transaction, (iii) the sale of all of the Shares of the Company to a person or entity that is not an Affiliate or group thereof acting in concert, (iv) a change or reconstitution of all or a majority of the non-executive directors of the Board over a period of 12 consecutive months, provided, however, that any individual becoming a non-executive director of the Board subsequent to the beginning of such period whose appointment, or nomination for appointment at the Company’s general meeting, was approved or proposed by affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors serving immediately prior to the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was so approved shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Board before such period, or (v) any other transaction in which the owners of the Company’s outstanding voting power immediately prior to such transaction do not own at least a majority of the outstanding voting power of the Company or any successor entity immediately upon completion of the transaction other than as a result of the acquisition of securities directly from the Company.
“Sale Price” means the value as determined by the Administrator of the consideration payable, or otherwise to be received by shareholders, per Share pursuant to a Sale Event.
“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.
“Section 457A” means Section 457A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.
“Service Relationship” means any relationship as an employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate (e.g., a Service Relationship shall be deemed to continue without interruption in the event an individual’s status changes from full-time employee to part-time employee or Consultant).
“Shares” means the ordinary shares in the capital of the Company, having a nominal value of EUR 0.01 per share, of the Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3, or any other nominal value such Shares may have in the future.
“Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive Shares (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the applicable Award Agreement) having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.
“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity (other than the Company) in which the Company has at least a 50 percent interest, either directly or indirectly.
“Ten Percent Owner” means an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of equity of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation.
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“Unrestricted Stock Award” means an Award of Shares free of any restrictions.
| SECTION 2. | ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS |
(a) Administration of Plan. The Plan shall be administered by 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 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 Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Cash-Based Awards, and Dividend Equivalent Rights, or any combination of the foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by any Award;
(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 forms of Award Agreements;
(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(c), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised;
(vii) subject to the Company’s articles of association and other internal rules and policies, 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;
(viii) to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written instruments);
(ix) to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and
(x) to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.
All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan grantees.
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(c) Delegation of Authority to Grant Awards. Subject to applicable law and the Company’s articles of association, the Administrator, in its discretion, may delegate to the executive committee of the Company or a committee consisting of one or more members of the executive committee of the Company (including the Chief Executive Officer of the Company) all or part of the Administrator’s authority and duties with respect to the granting of Awards to individuals who are (i) not, or would not be, subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and (ii) not members of the Board or the executive committee. Any such delegation by the Administrator shall include a limitation as to the number of Shares underlying Awards that may be granted during the period of the delegation and shall contain guidelines as to the determination of the exercise price and the vesting criteria. The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Administrator’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan and the authority so delegated.
(d) Award Agreement. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Agreements that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include, without limitation, the term of an Award and the provisions applicable in the event employment or service terminates.
(e) Indemnification. Neither the Administrator, nor any member or any delegate 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 Administrator (and any delegate 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 articles or bylaws 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.
(f) Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which individuals are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals subject to foreign laws in order to be consistent with any such applicable foreign laws; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Administrator determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to this Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 3(a) hereof; and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Administrator determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act or any other applicable United States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.
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| SECTION 3. | SHARES ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION |
(a) Shares Issuable. The maximum number of Shares reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be 5,940,365 Shares, subject to adjustment as provided in this Section 3. For purposes of this limitation, the Shares underlying any Awards that are forfeited, canceled, held back upon exercise of an Option 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 Shares or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the Shares available for issuance under the Plan and, to the extent permitted under Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the Shares that may be issued as Incentive Stock Options. In the event the Company repurchases Shares on the open market, such shares shall not be added to the Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Subject to such overall limitations, Shares may be issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type or types of Award; provided, however, that no more than 5,940,365 Shares may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. The Shares available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Shares or Shares reacquired by the Company.
(b) Changes in Shares. Subject to Section 3(c) hereof, if, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, share dividend, share split, reverse share split or other similar change in the Company’s share capital, the outstanding Shares 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 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 are converted into or exchanged for 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 maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, including the maximum number of Shares that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options, (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, (iv) the exercise price for each Share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of Shares subject to Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) as to which such Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights remain exercisable and (v) any other terms and conditions of outstanding Awards under the Plan as deemed equitable and appropriate by the Administrator. The Administrator shall also make equitable or proportionate adjustments in the number of Shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price and the terms of outstanding Awards to take into consideration cash dividends paid other than in the ordinary course or any other extraordinary corporate event. The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional Shares 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. Any of the foregoing actions taken pursuant to this Section 3(b) may vary among individual holders and among Awards held by any individual holder.
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(c) Mergers and Other Transactions. In the case of and subject to the consummation of a Sale Event, the parties thereto may cause 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. To the extent the parties to such Sale Event do not provide for the assumption, continuation or substitution of Awards, upon the effective time of the Sale Event, the Plan and all outstanding Awards granted hereunder shall terminate. In such case, except as may be otherwise provided in the relevant Award Agreement, all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights with time-based vesting conditions or restrictions that are not vested and/or exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the Sale Event shall become fully vested and exercisable as of the effective time of the Sale Event, all other Awards with time-based vesting, conditions or restrictions shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable as of the effective time of the Sale Event, and all Awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of individual or corporate performance criteria for exercise may become vested and nonforfeitable in connection with a Sale Event in the Administrator’s discretion or to the extent specified in the relevant Award Agreement. In the event of such termination, (i) the Company shall have the option (in its sole discretion) to make or provide for a payment, in cash or in kind, to the grantees holding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the difference between (A) the Sale Price multiplied by the number of Shares subject to outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (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 and Stock Appreciation Rights (provided that, in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price equal to or greater than the Sale Price, such Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be cancelled for no consideration); or (ii) 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 and Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent then exercisable) held by such grantee. The Company shall also have the option (in its sole discretion) to make or provide for a payment, in cash or in kind, to the grantees holding other Awards in an amount equal to the Sale Price multiplied by the number of vested Shares under such Awards. Any of the foregoing actions taken pursuant to this Section 3(c) may vary among individual holders and among Awards held by any individual holder.
| SECTION 4. | ELIGIBILITY |
Grantees under the Plan will be such officers, employees, Non-Employee Directors and Consultants of the Company and its Affiliates as are selected from time to time by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided that (a) Awards may not be granted to employees, Directors or Consultants who are providing services only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Act, unless (i) the Shares underlying the Awards are treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A or (ii) the Company has determined that such Awards are exempt from or otherwise comply with Section 409A, and (b) Awards to Directors shall be made in accordance with the Company's remuneration policy. The Administrator may condition the exercise of one or more of Awards, and the timing thereof, upon the achievement or satisfaction of such individual or company performance criteria as may be determined by the Administrator, within periods specified by the Administrator. Performance criteria may be established on a Company-wide basis or with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Subsidiaries, business segments and/or individual grantees concerned. The Administrator may waive such performance criteria, in whole or in part, as the Administrator deems appropriate.
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| SECTION 5. | STOCK OPTIONS |
(a) Award of Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Stock Options under the Plan. 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 may be designated as either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 5 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. If the Administrator so determines, Stock Options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the optionee’s election, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may establish.
(b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the exercise price of such Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the grant date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stock Options may be granted with an exercise price per share that is less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant (i) pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code, (ii) to individuals who are not subject to U.S. income tax on the date of grant or (iii) if the Stock Option is otherwise compliant with Section 409A.
(c) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the Stock Option is granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the term of such Stock Option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant.
(d) Exercisability; Rights of a Shareholder. 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 shareholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.
(e) Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased. Solely to the extent expressly permitted by the Administrator, upon exercise, an optionee may elect to receive cash, in lieu of Shares, in an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Option, multiplied by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option shall have been exercised.
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(f) Payment of Exercise Price. Except in the case of cash settlement as described in Section 5(e) above, payment of the exercise price may be made by one or more of the following methods, determined in the discretion of the Administrator, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Award Agreement:
(i) In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator;
(ii) 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 exercise price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the exercise 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 Company shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure; or
(iii) With respect to Stock Options that are not Incentive Stock Options, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of Shares 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 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 exercise price for such Shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the 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 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.
(g) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and subsidiary corporations become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that any Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
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| SECTION 6. | STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS |
(a) Award of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator may grant Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan. A Stock Appreciation Right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive Shares (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the applicable Award Agreement) having a value equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right multiplied by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.
(b) Exercise Price of Stock Appreciation Rights. The exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted with an exercise price per share that is less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant (i) pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code, (ii) to individuals who are not subject to U.S. income tax on the date of grant or (iii) if the Stock Appreciation Rights is otherwise compliant with Section 409A.
(c) Grant and Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted by the Administrator independently of any Stock Option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan.
(d) Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined on the date of grant by the Administrator. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right may not exceed ten years. The terms and conditions of each such Award shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.
| SECTION 7. | RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS |
(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan. A Restricted Stock Award is any Award of Restricted Shares subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other Service Relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives.
(b) Rights as a Shareholder. Upon the grant of the Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee shall have the rights of a shareholder with respect to the voting of the Restricted Shares and receipt of dividends; provided that if the lapse of restrictions with respect to the Restricted Stock Award is tied to the attainment of performance goals, any dividends paid by the Company during the performance period shall accrue and shall not be paid to the grantee until and to the extent the performance goals are met with respect to the Restricted Stock Award. Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine, (i) uncertificated Restricted Shares 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 Shares are vested as provided in Section 7(d) below, and (ii) certificates of certificated Restricted Shares shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Shares are vested as provided in Section 7(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 Shares 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 16 below, in writing after the Award is issued, if a grantee’s employment (or other Service Relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, any Restricted Shares that have not vested at the time of termination shall, at the election of the Company, be reacquired by the Company (or by another person or entity designated by the Administrator) at its original purchase price (if any) 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 reacquisition of Restricted Shares that are represented by physical certificates, a grantee shall surrender such certificates to the Company upon request without consideration. The Award Agreement shall provide for an irrevocable power of attorney granted by the grantee to the Company to effectuate the reacquisition of such Restricted Shares.
(d) Vesting of Restricted Shares. 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 Shares 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 Shares and shall be deemed “vested.”
| SECTION 8. | RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS |
(a) Nature of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Units under the Plan. A Restricted Stock Unit is an Award of stock units that may be settled in Shares (or cash, to the extent explicitly provided for in the Award Agreement) upon the satisfaction of such restrictions and conditions at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other Service Relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each such Award shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees. Except in the case of Restricted Stock Units with a deferred settlement date that complies with Section 409A, at the end of the vesting period, the Restricted Stock Units, to the extent vested, shall be settled in the form of Shares. Restricted Stock Units with deferred settlement dates that are subject to Section 409A shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.
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(b) Election to Receive Restricted Stock Units in Lieu of Compensation. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of an award of Restricted Stock Units. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the Administrator and in accordance with Section 409A and such other rules and procedures established by the Administrator. Any such future cash compensation that the grantee elects to defer shall be converted to a fixed number of Restricted Stock Units based on the Fair Market Value of Shares on the date the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the grantee if such payment had not been deferred as provided herein. The Administrator shall have the sole right to determine whether and under what circumstances to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the Administrator deems appropriate. Any Restricted Stock Units that are elected to be received in lieu of cash compensation shall be fully vested, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.
(c) Rights as a Shareholder. A grantee shall have the rights as a shareholder only as to Shares acquired by the grantee upon settlement of Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that the grantee may be credited with Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the stock units underlying his Restricted Stock Units, subject to the provisions of Section 11 and such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine.
(d) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Agreement or, subject to Section 16 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s right in all Restricted Stock Units that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of Service Relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
| SECTION 9. | UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS |
Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock. The Administrator may grant (or sell at par value or such higher purchase price determined by the Administrator) an Unrestricted Stock Award under the Plan. An Unrestricted Stock Award is an Award pursuant to which the grantee may receive Shares free of any restrictions under the Plan. Unrestricted Stock Awards may be granted in respect of past services or other valid consideration, or in lieu of cash compensation due to such grantee.
| SECTION 10. | CASH-BASED AWARDS |
Grant of Cash-Based Awards. The Administrator may grant Cash-Based Awards under the Plan. A Cash-Based Award is an Award that entitles the grantee to a payment in cash upon the attainment of specified performance goals. The Administrator shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash to which the Cash-Based Award pertains, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable and such other provisions as the Administrator shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Administrator. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award and may be made in cash.
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| SECTION 11. | DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS |
(a) Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Administrator may grant Dividend Equivalent Rights under the Plan. A Dividend Equivalent Right is an Award entitling the grantee to receive credits based on cash dividends that would have been paid on the Shares specified in the Dividend Equivalent Right (or other Award to which it relates) if such Shares had been issued to the grantee. A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder to any grantee as a component of an award of Restricted Stock Units or as a freestanding award. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Agreement. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional Shares, which may thereafter accrue additional equivalents. Any such reinvestment shall be at Fair Market Value on the date of reinvestment or such other price as may then apply under a dividend reinvestment plan sponsored by the Company, if any. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or Shares or a combination thereof, in a single installment or installments. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of an Award of Restricted Stock Units shall provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled only upon settlement or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award. With respect to Dividend Equivalent Rights granted in connection with another Award, absent a contrary provision in the Award Agreement, such Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as the Award with respect to which the dividends accrue and shall not be paid unless and until such Award has vested and been earned.
(b) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Agreement or, subject to Section 16 below, in writing after the Award is issued, a grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of Service Relationship) with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.
| SECTION | 12. Transferability of Awards |
(a) Transferability. Except as provided in Section 12(b) below, during a grantee’s lifetime, his or her Awards shall be exercisable only by the grantee, or by the grantee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the grantee’s incapacity. No Awards shall be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by a grantee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order. No Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind, and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void.
(b) Administrator Action. Notwithstanding Section 12(a), the Administrator, in its discretion, may provide either in the Award Agreement regarding a given Award or by subsequent written approval that the grantee (who is an employee or director) (i) may transfer his or her Non-Qualified Stock Options to his or her immediate family members, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners or (ii) may transfer all or part of his or her Awards to his or her personal holding company, 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 Award and provided further, for the situation described under (ii), that the personal holding company must re-transfer all Awards to the original grantee once it is no longer wholly-owned and controlled by the original grantee. In no event may an Award be transferred by a grantee for value.
(c) Family Member. For purposes of Section 12(b), “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.
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(d) Designation of Beneficiary. To the extent permitted by the Company, 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 13. | 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 Shares 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 by the Company 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 evidence of book entry (or share certificates) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on tax withholding obligations being satisfied by the grantee.
(b) Payment in Shares. The Administrator may require the Company’s tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by the Company withholding from Shares 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 withholding amount due; provided, however, that the amount withheld does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate or such lesser amount as is necessary to avoid liability accounting treatment. For purposes of share withholding, the Fair Market Value of withheld shares shall be determined in the same manner as the value of Shares includible in income of the grantees. The Administrator may also require the Company’s tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by an arrangement whereby a certain number of Shares issued pursuant to any Award are immediately sold and proceeds from such sale are remitted to the Company in an amount that would satisfy the withholding amount due.
| SECTION | 14. Section 409A AND SECTION 457A |
Awards are intended to be exempt from Section 409A and Section 457A to the greatest extent possible and to otherwise comply with Section 409A. The Plan and all Awards shall be interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A or Section 457A (a “Deferred Compensation 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 or Section 457A, as applicable. In this regard, if any amount under a Deferred Compensation 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 Deferred Compensation Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A. Neither this Section 14 nor any other provision of the Plan is or contains a representation to any grantee regarding the tax consequences of the grant, vesting, exercise, settlement, or sale of any Award (or the Shares underlying such Award) granted hereunder, and should not be interpreted as such. In no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the grantee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A or Section 457A.
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| SECTION 15. | TERMINATION OF SERVICE RELATIONSHIP, TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC. |
(a) Termination of Service Relationship. If the grantee’s Service Relationship is with an Affiliate and such Affiliate ceases to be an Affiliate, the grantee shall be deemed to have terminated his or her Service Relationship for purposes of the Plan.
(b) For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of a Service Relationship:
(i) a transfer to the employment of the Company from an Affiliate or from the Company to an Affiliate, or from one Affiliate to another; or
(ii) an approved leave of absence for military service, maternity leave, parental leave 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 16. | AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION |
The Administrator may, at any time, (a) amend or discontinue the Plan or (b) amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action under (a) or (b) shall materially and adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder’s consent, provided that any increase of the Shares issuable under this Plan or any material changes shall require the approval of the general meeting solely to the extent specifically required under the Company’s articles of association or Dutch law. To the extent required under the rules of any securities exchange or market system on which the Shares are listed, to the extent determined by the Administrator to be required by the Code to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code, Plan amendments shall be subject to approval by the Company's general meeting. Nothing in this Section 16 shall limit the Administrator’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(b) or 3(c).
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| SECTION | 17. STATUS OF PLAN |
With respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Shares 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 Shares or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.
| SECTION | 18. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
(a) No Distribution. The Administrator may require each person acquiring Shares 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.
(b) Issuance of Shares. Uncertificated Shares 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 evidence of book entry or certificates evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise or settlement 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 is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. Any Shares issued 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 Shares are listed, quoted or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any Share certificate or notations on any book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares. 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.
(c) Shareholder Rights. Until Shares are deemed delivered in accordance with Section 18(b), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights of a shareholder will exist with respect to Shares 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.
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(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 employee 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 the Company’s insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time
(f) Clawback Policy. Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Immatics, N.V. Compensation Recoupment Policy (the “Recoupment Policy”), as may be amended from time to time, to the extent provided in and subject to the terms of the Recoupment Policy.
(g) Status under ERISA. The Plan shall not constitute an “employee benefit plan” for purposes of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
| SECTION 19. | EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN |
This Plan became effective on June 20, 2024. No grants of Stock Options and other Awards may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.
| SECTION 20. | GOVERNING LAW |
This Plan and all Awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the Netherlands.
All disputes relating to this Plan and all Awards or agreements based on or pursuant to this Plan shall be submitted exclusively to the competent court in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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