UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Item 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
Board Resignation
On June 12, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), after the conclusion of the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of TScan Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”), Timothy Barberich, a member and Chairman of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company, tendered his resignation from the Board and Chairman position thereof, effective immediately. Current member of the Board, Stephen Biggar, M.D., Ph.D., assumed the role of Chairman of the Board, effective as of the Effective Date. Mr. Barberich’s resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. The Company thanks Mr. Barberich for his years of service as a director.
Director Appointment
On June 12, 2024, the Board appointed Garry Nicholson to the Board, effective as of the Effective Date . Mr. Nicholson will serve as a Class I director until the date of the annual meeting of stockholders following the year ending December 31, 2024, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. The Board has determined that Mr. Nicholson qualifies as an independent director under the listing standards of the Nasdaq Global Market.
As a non-employee director, Mr. Nicholson will receive cash and equity compensation paid by the Company pursuant to its non-employee director compensation policy. There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Nicholson and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Nicholson was selected as a director, and there are no transactions between Mr. Nicholson and the Company that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Pursuant to the Company’s non-employee director compensation policy, the Board granted Mr. Nicholson certain options to purchase an aggregate of 71,250 shares of the Company’s voting common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing market price per share of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on June 12, 2024. Of the aggregate shares granted, 47,500 options will vest in full upon the earlier to occur of the first anniversary of the grant date or the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, and 23,750 will vest with respect to one-third of the shares on June 12, 2025, with the balance vesting thereafter in 24 equal monthly installments, with vesting of both grants subject to Mr. Nicholson’ continued service on the Board.
The Company will enter into an indemnification agreement with Mr. Nicholson in connection with his appointment to the Board which is in substantially the same form as that entered into with the other directors of the Company, filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 6, 2024.
A copy of the Company’s press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Nicholson is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Board Committees
Effective as of the Effective Date, the Board appointed Stephen Biggar to serve as Chairman of the Board. Effective as of the Effective Date, Dr. Biggar will no longer serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, but he will continue in his positions as a Class I director of the Board and Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Board. Mr. Nicholson will serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board and on the Research and Clinical Development Committee of the Board. Effective as of the Effective Date, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board is composed of Katina Dorton, Gabriela Gruia and Garry Nicholson and the Research and Clinical Development Committee of the Board is composed of Barbara Klencke, Gabriela Gruia, Stephen Biggar and Garry Nicholson. The compositions of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the Board remain unchanged.
Amended and Restated 2021 Equity Incentive Plan and Awards
As described below, on June 12, 2024, at the Annual Meeting, the stockholders of the Company approved the Amended and Restated TScan Therapeutics, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended and Restated 2021 Plan”). The Amended and Restated 2021 Plan amends the evergreen provision in the current TScan Therapeutics,
Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Original 2021 Plan”) to provide that shares of the common stock underlying the Company’s outstanding pre-funded warrants shall be added to the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company to which the annual share replenishment will be applied and to increase the number of shares of the common stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 2,000,000 shares.
The Company’s officers and directors are among the persons eligible to receive awards under the Amended and Restated 2021 Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions thereunder. A detailed summary of the Amended and Restated 2021 Plan is set forth in Proposal No. 3 in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting, which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2024. Such detailed summary of the Amended and Restated 2021 Plan and the foregoing description of the Amended and Restated 2021 Plan are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated 2021 Plan, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.
On June 12, 2024, the Board approved stock option awards for an aggregate of 308,750 shares of voting common stock to non-employee directors, with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the voting common stock on such date of grant of $8.88. These stock option awards are subject to vesting schedules, based on the recipient’s continued service to the Company through the vesting date. The awards to the non-employee directors reflect a modification of the Company’s non-employee director policy to grant an option to purchase 47,500 shares (previously 35,000 shares) of our common stock to each non-employee director on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders of our company, which will vest, subject to the director’s continued service on the Board through such vesting date, in full upon the earlier to occur of the first anniversary of the date of grant or the date of the next annual meeting and to make a one-time grant of an option to purchase 23,750 shares of our common stock to any new non-employee director under the Amended and Restated 2021 Plan.
Item 5.07 | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
On June 12, 2024, the Company held the Annual Meeting. The Company held its Annual Meeting to consider and vote on the three proposals set forth below, each of which is described in greater detail in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, which were filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2024. The final voting results are set forth below.
Proposal 1 - Election of Class III Directors
The stockholders of the Company elected Gabriela Gruia, M.D. and Barbara Klencke, M.D. as Class III directors, each to serve for a three-year term ending at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2027 and until their successor has been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. The results of the stockholders’ vote with respect to the election of the Class III directors were as follows:
Name | Votes For |
Votes Withheld |
Broker Non-Votes |
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Gabriela Gruia, M.D. |
29,410,716 | 2,129,924 | 6,769,026 | |||||||||
Barbara Klencke, M.D. |
31,310,108 | 230,532 | 6,769,026 |
Proposal 2 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The stockholders of the Company ratified the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. The results of the stockholders’ vote with respect to such ratification were as follows:
Votes For |
Votes Against |
Abstain | ||
38,307,780 | 1,353 | 533 |
Proposal 3 – Approval of Amended and Restated TScan Therapeutics, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan
The stockholders of the Company approved the Amended and Restated 2021 Plan to provide that shares of the common stock underlying the Company’s outstanding pre-funded warrants shall be added to the outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company to which the annual share replenishment will be applied and to increase the number of shares of the common stock that may be subject to awards. The results of the stockholders’ vote with respect to such approval were as follows:
Votes For |
Votes Against |
Abstain |
Broker | |||
25,393,922 | 6,145,988 | 730 | 6,796,026 |
No other matters were submitted to or voted on by the Company’s stockholders at the Annual Meeting.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
10.1* | Amended and Restated TScan Therapeutic, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan | |
99.1 | Press Release issued by TScan Therapeutics, Inc. on June 14, 2024. | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
* | Indicates a management contract or any compensatory plan, contract or arrangement. |
SIGNATURE
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 hereunto duly authorized.
TScan Therapeutics, Inc. | ||||||
Date: June 14, 2024 | By: | /s/ Gavin MacBeath | ||||
Gavin MacBeath | ||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 10.1
TSCAN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Adopted on April 22, 2021
Amended and Restated on June 12, 2024
TSCAN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE 1. INTRODUCTION.
The Board adopted the Plan to become effective immediately, although no Awards may be granted prior to the IPO Date. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of stockholder value by (a) encouraging Service Providers to focus on critical long-range corporate objectives, (b) encouraging the attraction and retention of Service Providers with exceptional qualifications and (c) linking Service Providers directly to stockholder interests through increased stock ownership. The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the form of Options (which may be ISOs or NSOs), SARs, Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units. Capitalized terms used in this Plan are defined in Article 14.
ARTICLE 2. ADMINISTRATION.
2.1 General. The Plan may be administered by the Board or one or more Committees to which the Board (or an authorized Board committee) has delegated authority. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have the powers theretofore possessed by the Board, including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to either the Board or the Administrator shall hereafter also encompass the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable). The Board may abolish the Committees delegation at any time and the Board shall at all times also retain the authority it has delegated to the Committee. The Administrator shall comply with rules and regulations applicable to it, including under the rules of any exchange on which the Common Shares are traded, and shall have the authority and be responsible for such functions as have been assigned to it.
2.2 Section 16. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Exchange Act Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be approved by the entire Board or a Committee of two or more non-employee directors within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 16b-3.
2.3 Powers of Administrator. Subject to the terms of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated to the Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority to (a) select the Service Providers who are to receive Awards under the Plan, (b) determine the type, number, vesting requirements and other features and conditions of such Awards, (c) interpret the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan, (d) determine whether, when and to what extent an Award has become vested and/or exercisable and whether any performance-based vesting conditions have been satisfied, (e) make, amend and rescind rules relating to the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan, including rules relating to sub-plans established for the purposes of satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws, (f) impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant of any Common Shares issued pursuant to an Award, including restrictions under an insider trading policy and restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales, and (g) make all other decisions relating to the operation of the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan. In addition, with regard to the terms and conditions of Awards granted to Service Providers outside of the United States, the Administrator may vary from the provisions of the Plan (other than any requiring stockholder approval pursuant to Section 13.3) to the extent it determines it necessary and appropriate to do so.
2.4 Effect of Administrators Decisions. The Administrators decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all interested parties.
2.5 Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (except its choice-of-law provisions).
ARTICLE 3. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR GRANTS.
3.1 Basic Limitation. Common Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. The aggregate number of Common Shares issued under the Plan shall not exceed the sum of (a) 12,778,048 Common Shares, (b) any Common Shares subject to awards granted under the Predecessor Plan that are outstanding on the IPO Date that subsequently are forfeited, expire or lapse unexercised or unsettled and Common Shares issued pursuant to awards granted under the Predecessor Plan that are outstanding on the IPO Date and that are subsequently forfeited to or reacquired by the Company, (c) the number of Common Shares reserved under the Predecessor Plan that are not issued or subject to outstanding awards under the Predecessor Plan on the IPO Date and (d) the additional Common Shares described in Articles 3.2 and 3.3. The Company shall reserve and keep available such number of Common Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. The numerical limitations in this Article 3.1 shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 9.
3.2 Annual Increase in Shares. On the first day of each fiscal year of the Company during the term of the Plan, commencing in 2022 and ending in (and including) 2031, the aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan shall automatically increase by a number equal to the lesser of (a) 4% of the number of the Total Outstanding Common Shares on the last day of the preceding fiscal year or (b) a number of Common Shares determined by the Board.
3.3 Shares Returned to Reserve. To the extent that Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Units or other Awards are forfeited, cancelled or expire for any reason before being exercised or settled in full, the Common Shares subject to such Awards shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. If SARs are exercised or Restricted Stock Units are settled, then only the number of Common Shares (if any) actually issued to the Participant upon exercise of such SARs or settlement of such Restricted Stock Units, as applicable, shall reduce the number of Common Shares available under Article 3.1 and the balance shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. If Restricted Shares or Common Shares issued upon the exercise of Options are reacquired by the Company pursuant to a forfeiture provision, repurchase right or for any other reason, then such Common Shares shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. Common Shares applied to pay the Exercise Price of Options or to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to any Award shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. To the extent that an Award is settled in cash rather than Common Shares, the cash settlement shall not reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.
3.4 Awards Not Reducing Share Reserve. To the extent permitted under applicable exchange listing standards, any dividend equivalents paid or credited under the Plan with respect to Restricted Stock Units shall not be applied against the number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan, whether or not such dividend equivalents are converted into Restricted Stock Units. In addition, Common Shares subject to Substitute Awards granted by the Company shall not reduce the number of Common Shares that may be issued under Article 3.1, nor shall shares subject to Substitute Awards again be available for Awards under the Plan in the event of any forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement of such Substitute Awards.
3.5 Code Section 422 and Other Limits. Subject to adjustment in accordance with Article 9:
(a) No more than 12,778,048 Common Shares may be issued under the Plan upon the exercise of ISOs.
(b) The aggregate grant date fair value of Awards granted to an Outside Director during any one fiscal year of the Company, together with the value of any cash compensation paid to the Outside Director during such fiscal year, may not exceed $750,000 (on a per-Director basis); provided however that the limitation that will apply in the fiscal year in which the Outside Director is initially appointed or elected to the Board shall instead be $1,500,000. For purposes of this limitation, the grant date fair value of an Award shall be determined in accordance with the assumptions that the Company uses to estimate the value of share-based payments for financial reporting purposes. For the sake of clarity, neither Awards granted, nor compensation paid, to an individual for his or her service as an Employee or Consultant, but not as an Outside Director, shall count towards this limitation.
ARTICLE 4. ELIGIBILITY.
4.1 Incentive Stock Options. Only Employees who are common-law employees of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs. In addition, an Employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company or any of its Parents or Subsidiaries shall not be eligible for the grant of an ISO unless the additional requirements set forth in Code Section 422(c)(5) are satisfied.
4.2 Other Awards. Awards other than ISOs may be granted to both Employees and other Service Providers.
ARTICLE 5. OPTIONS.
5.1 Stock Option Agreement. Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The Stock Option Agreement shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or an NSO. The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
5.2 Number of Shares. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of Common Shares subject to the Option, which number shall adjust in accordance with Article 9.
5.3 Exercise Price. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price, which shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date of grant. The preceding sentence shall not apply to an Option that is a Substitute Award granted in a manner that would satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A and, if applicable, Code Section 424(a).
5.4 Exercisability and Term. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the date or event when all or any installment of the Option is to become vested and/or exercisable. The vesting and exercisability conditions applicable to the Option may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Administrator may determine, or any combination of such conditions. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify the term of the Option; provided that, except to the extent necessary to comply with applicable foreign law, the term of an Option shall in no event exceed 10 years from the date of grant. A Stock Option Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting and/or exercisability upon certain specified events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Optionees service.
5.5 Death of Optionee. After an Optionees death, any vested and exercisable Options held by such Optionee may be exercised by his or her beneficiary or beneficiaries. Each Optionee may designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Optionees death. If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Optionee, then any vested and exercisable Options held by the Optionee may be exercised by his or her estate.
5.6 Modification or Assumption of Options. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may modify, extend or assume outstanding options. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such Option. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, and except for the adjustments provided in Article 9, neither the Administrator nor any other person may (a) decrease the exercise price for any outstanding Option after the date of grant, (b) cancel or allow an Optionee to surrender an outstanding Option to the Company in exchange for cash or as consideration for the grant of a new Option with a lower exercise price or the grant of another type of Award the effect of which is to reduce the exercise price of any outstanding Option, or (c) take any other action with respect to an Option that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or such other principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are traded).
5.7 Buyout Provisions. Except to the extent prohibited by Article 5.6, the Administrator may at any time (a) offer to buy out for a payment in cash or cash equivalents an Option previously granted or (b) authorize an Optionee to elect to cash out an Option previously granted, in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish.
5.8 Payment for Option Shares. The entire Exercise Price of Common Shares issued upon exercise of Options shall be payable in cash or cash equivalents at the time when such Common Shares are purchased. In addition, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable law, accept payment of all or a portion of the Exercise Price through any one or a combination of the following forms or methods:
(a) Subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Administrator, by surrendering, or attesting to the ownership of, Common Shares that are already owned by the Optionee with a value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Common Shares as to which such Option will be exercised;
(b) By delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell all or part of the Common Shares being purchased under the Plan and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company;
(c) Subject to such conditions and requirements as the Administrator may impose from time to time, through a net exercise procedure; or
(d) Through any other form or method consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules.
ARTICLE 6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
6.1 SAR Agreement. Each grant of a SAR under the Plan shall be evidenced by a SAR Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such SAR shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various SAR Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
6.2 Number of Shares. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the number of Common Shares to which the SAR pertains, which number shall adjust in accordance with Article 9.
6.3 Exercise Price. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price, which shall in no event be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date of grant. The preceding sentence shall not apply to a SAR that is a Substitute Award granted in a manner that would satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A.
6.4 Exercisability and Term. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become vested and exercisable. The vesting and exercisability conditions applicable to the SAR may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Administrator may determine, or any combination thereof. The SAR Agreement shall also specify the term of the SAR; provided that except to the extent necessary to comply with applicable foreign law, the term of a SAR shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. A SAR Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting and exercisability upon certain specified events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Optionees service.
6.5 Exercise of SARs. Upon exercise of a SAR, the Optionee (or any person having the right to exercise the SAR after his or her death) shall receive from the Company (a) Common Shares, (b) cash or (c) a combination of Common Shares and cash, as the Administrator shall determine. The amount of cash and/or the Fair Market Value of Common Shares received upon exercise of SARs shall, in the aggregate, not exceed the amount by which the Fair Market Value (on the date of surrender) of the Common Shares subject to the SARs exceeds the Exercise Price. If, on the date when a SAR expires, the Exercise Price is less than the Fair Market Value on such date but any portion of such SAR has not been exercised or surrendered, then such SAR shall automatically be deemed to be exercised as of such date with respect to such portion. A SAR Agreement may also provide for an automatic exercise of the SAR on an earlier date.
6.6 Death of Optionee. After an Optionees death, any vested and exercisable SARs held by such Optionee may be exercised by his or her beneficiary or beneficiaries. Each Optionee may designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Optionees death. If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Optionee, then any vested and exercisable SARs held by the Optionee at the time of his or her death may be exercised by his or her estate.
6.7 Modification or Assumption of SARs. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may modify, extend or assume outstanding SARs. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of a SAR shall, without the consent of the Optionee, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such SAR. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, and except for the adjustments provided in Article 9, neither the Administrator nor any other person may (a) decrease the exercise price for any outstanding SAR after the date of grant, (b) cancel or allow an Optionee to surrender an outstanding SAR to the Company in exchange for cash or as consideration for the grant of a new SAR with a lower exercise price or the grant of another type of Award the effect of which is to reduce the exercise price of any outstanding SAR, or (c) take any other action with respect to a SAR that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or such other principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are traded).
ARTICLE 7. RESTRICTED SHARES.
7.1 Restricted Stock Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Shares under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Agreement between the recipient and the Company. Such Restricted Shares shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
7.2 Payment for Awards. Restricted Shares may be sold or awarded under the Plan for such consideration as the Administrator may determine, including (without limitation) cash, cash equivalents, property, cancellation of other equity awards, promissory notes, past services and future services, and such other methods of payment as are permitted by applicable law.
7.3 Vesting Conditions. Each Award of Restricted Shares may or may not be subject to vesting and/or other conditions as the Administrator may determine. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Stock Agreement. A Restricted Stock Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting upon certain specified events.
7.4 Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Restricted Shares awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and other rights as the Companys other stockholders, unless the Administrator otherwise provides. A Restricted Stock Agreement, however, may require that any cash dividends paid on Restricted Shares (a) be accumulated and paid when such Restricted Shares vest, or (b) be invested in additional Restricted Shares. Such additional Restricted Shares shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the shares subject to the Award with respect to which the dividends were paid. In addition, if any dividends or other distributions are paid in Common Shares, such Common Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Shares with respect to which they were paid.
7.5 Modification or Assumption of Restricted Shares. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may modify or assume outstanding Restricted Shares or may accept the cancellation of outstanding restricted shares (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Restricted Shares for the same or a different number of shares or in return for the grant of a different type of Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of Restricted Shares shall, without the consent of the Participant, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such Restricted Shares.
ARTICLE 8. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.
8.1 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between the recipient and the Company. Such Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Unit Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
8.2 Payment for Awards. To the extent that an Award is granted in the form of Restricted Stock Units, no cash consideration shall be required of the Award recipients.
8.3 Vesting Conditions. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units may or may not be subject to vesting, as determined by the Administrator. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Vesting conditions may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Administrator may determine, or any combination thereof. A Restricted Stock Unit Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting upon certain specified events.
8.4 Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Restricted Stock Units shall have no voting rights. Prior to settlement or forfeiture, Restricted Stock Units awarded under the Plan may, at the Administrators discretion, provide for a right to dividend equivalents. Such right entitles the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one Common Share while the Restricted Stock Unit is outstanding. Dividend equivalents may be converted into additional Restricted Stock Units. Settlement of dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash, in the form of Common Shares, or in a combination of both. Prior to distribution, any dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Restricted Stock Units to which they attach.
8.5 Form and Time of Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units may be made in the form of (a) cash, (b) Common Shares or (c) any combination of both, as determined by the Administrator. The actual number of Restricted Stock Units eligible for settlement may be larger or smaller than the number included in the original Award, based on predetermined performance factors. Methods of converting Restricted Stock Units into cash may include (without limitation) a method based on the average value of Common Shares over a series of trading days. Vested Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in such manner and at such time(s) as specified in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Until an Award of Restricted Stock Units is settled, the number of such Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 9.
8.6 Death of Recipient. Any Restricted Stock Units that become payable after the recipients death shall be distributed to the recipients beneficiary or beneficiaries. Each recipient of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan may designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Award recipients death. If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Award recipient, then any Restricted Stock Units that become payable after the recipients death shall be distributed to the recipients estate.
8.7 Modification or Assumption of Restricted Stock Units. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may modify or assume outstanding restricted stock units or may accept the cancellation of outstanding restricted stock units (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Restricted Stock Units for the same or a different number of shares or in return for the grant of a different type of Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of a Restricted Stock Unit shall, without the consent of the Participant, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such Restricted Stock Unit.
8.8 Creditors Rights. A holder of Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Restricted Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
ARTICLE 9. ADJUSTMENTS; DISSOLUTIONS AND LIQUIDATIONS; CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
9.1 Adjustments. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in Common Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of Common Shares or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Common Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, proportionate adjustments shall be made to the following:
(a) The number and kind of shares available for issuance under Article 3, including the numerical share limits in Articles 3.1 and 3.5;
(b) The number and kind of shares covered by each outstanding Option, SAR, and Restricted Stock Unit; and/or
(c) The Exercise Price applicable to each outstanding Option and SAR, and the repurchase price, if any, applicable to Restricted Shares.
In the event of a declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a form other than Common Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the price of Common Shares, a recapitalization, a spin-off or a similar occurrence, the Administrator shall make such adjustments as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate to the foregoing. Any adjustment in the number of shares subject to an Award under this Article 9.1 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share, although the Administrator in its sole discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of a fractional share. Except as provided in this Article 9, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any issuance by the Company of stock of any class or securities convertible into stock of any class, any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class.
9.2 Dissolution or Liquidation. To the extent not previously exercised or settled, Options, SARs and Restricted Stock Units shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.
9.3 Corporate Transactions. In the event that the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, or a Change in Control (other than one described in Article 14.6(d)), all Common Shares acquired under the Plan and all Awards outstanding on the effective date of the transaction shall be treated in the manner described in the definitive transaction agreement (or, in the event the transaction does not entail a definitive agreement to which the Company is party, in the manner determined by the Administrator, with such determination having final and binding effect on all parties), which agreement or determination need not treat all Awards (or portions thereof) in an identical manner. Unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise, the treatment specified in the transaction agreement or by the Administrator may include (without limitation) one or more of the following with respect to each outstanding Award:
(a) The continuation of such outstanding Award by the Company (if the Company is the surviving entity);
(b) The assumption of such outstanding Award by the surviving entity or its parent, provided that the assumption of an Option or a SAR shall comply with applicable tax requirements;
(c) The substitution by the surviving entity or its parent of an equivalent award for such outstanding Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the holders of Common Shares in the transaction), provided that the substitution of an Option or a SAR shall comply with applicable tax requirements;
(d) In the case of an Option or SAR, the cancellation of such Award without payment of any consideration. An Optionee shall be able to exercise his or her outstanding Option or SAR, to the extent such Option or SAR is then vested or become vested as of the effective time of the transaction, during a period of not less than five full business days preceding the closing date of the transaction, unless (i) a shorter period is required to permit a timely closing of the transaction and (ii) such shorter period still offers the Optionees a reasonable opportunity to exercise such Option or SAR. Any exercise of such Option or SAR during such period may be contingent on the closing of the transaction;
(e) The cancellation of such Award and a payment to the Participant with respect to each share subject to the portion of the Award that is vested or becomes vested as of the effective time of the transaction equal to the excess of (A) the value, as determined by the Administrator in its absolute discretion, of the property (including cash) received by the holder of a Common Share as a result of the transaction, over (if applicable) (B) the per-share Exercise Price of such Award (such excess, if any, the Spread). Such payment shall be made in the form of cash, cash equivalents, or securities of the surviving entity or its parent having a value equal to the Spread. In addition, any escrow, holdback, earn-out or similar provisions in the transaction agreement may apply to such payment to the same extent
and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the holders of Common Shares. If the Spread applicable to an Award (whether or not vested) is zero or a negative number, then the Award may be cancelled without making a payment to the Participant. In the event that an Award is subject to Code Section 409A, the payment described in this clause (e) shall be made on the settlement date specified in the applicable Award Agreement, provided that settlement may be accelerated in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4); or
(f) The assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of an Award of Restricted Shares to the surviving entity or its parent, with corresponding proportionate adjustments made to the price per share to be paid upon exercise of any such reacquisition or repurchase rights.
Unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise, each outstanding Award held by a Participant who remains a Service Provider as of the effective time of a merger, consolidation or Change in Control (other than one described in Article 14.6(d)) (a Current Participant) shall become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the transaction and, in the case of an Award subject to performance-based vesting conditions, such performance-based vesting conditions shall be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels. However, the prior sentence shall not apply, and an outstanding Award shall not become vested and, if applicable, exercisable, if and to the extent the Award is continued, assumed or substituted as provided for in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above. In addition, the prior two sentences shall not apply to an Award held by a Participant who is not a Current Participant unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise or unless the Company and the acquirer agree otherwise.
For avoidance of doubt, the Administrator shall have the discretion, exercisable either at the time an Award is granted or at any time while the Award remains outstanding, to provide for the acceleration of vesting upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, whether or not the Award is to be assumed or replaced in the transaction, or in connection with a termination of the Participants service following a transaction.
Any action taken under this Article 9.3 shall either preserve an Awards status as exempt from Code Section 409A or comply with Code Section 409A.
ARTICLE 10. OTHER AWARDS.
Subject in all events to the limitations under Article 3 above as to the number of Common Shares available for issuance under this Plan, the Company may grant other forms of Awards not specifically described herein and may grant awards under other plans or programs, where such awards are settled in the form of Common Shares issued under this Plan. Such Common Shares shall be treated for all purposes under the Plan like Common Shares issued in settlement of Restricted Stock Units and shall, when issued, reduce the number of Common Shares available under Article 3.
ARTICLE 11. LIMITATION ON RIGHTS.
11.1 Retention Rights. Neither the Plan nor any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to give any individual a right to remain a Service Provider. The Company and its Parents, Subsidiaries and Affiliates reserve the right to terminate the Service of any Service Provider at any time, with or without cause, subject to applicable laws, the Companys certificate of incorporation and by-laws and a written employment agreement (if any).
11.2 Stockholders Rights. Except as set forth in Article 7.4 or 8.4 above, a Participant shall have no dividend rights, voting rights or other rights as a stockholder with respect to any Common Shares covered by his or her Award prior to the time when a stock certificate for such Common Shares is issued or, if applicable, the time when he or she becomes entitled to receive such Common Shares by filing any required notice of exercise and paying any required Exercise Price. No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to such time, except as expressly provided in the Plan.
11.3 Regulatory Requirements. Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, the obligation of the Company to issue Common Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations and such approval by any regulatory body as may be required. The Company reserves the right to restrict, in whole or in part, the delivery of Common Shares pursuant to any Award prior to the satisfaction of all legal requirements relating to the issuance of such Common Shares, to their registration, qualification or listing or to an exemption from registration,
qualification or listing. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed necessary by the Companys counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Common Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.
11.4 Transferability of Awards. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit transfer of an Award in a manner consistent with applicable law. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, Awards shall be transferable by a Participant only by (a) beneficiary designation, (b) a will or (c) the laws of descent and distribution; provided that, in any event, an ISO may only be transferred by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or by the Optionees guardian or legal representative.
11.5 Recoupment Policy. All Awards granted under the Plan, all amounts paid under the Plan and all Common Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to recoupment, clawback or recovery by the Company in accordance with applicable law and with Company policy (whenever adopted) regarding same, whether or not such policy is intended to satisfy the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or other applicable law, as well as any implementing regulations and/or listing standards thereunder.
11.6 Other Conditions and Restrictions on Common Shares. Any Common Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to such forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal, other transfer restrictions and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine. Such conditions and restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and shall apply in addition to any restrictions that may apply to holders of Common Shares generally. In addition, Common Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to such conditions and restrictions imposed either by applicable law or by Company policy, as adopted from time to time, designed to ensure compliance with applicable law or laws with which the Company determines in its sole discretion to comply including in order to maintain any statutory, regulatory or tax advantage.
ARTICLE 12. TAXES.
12.1 General. It is a condition to each Award under the Plan that a Participant or his or her successor shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with any Award granted under the Plan. The Company shall not be required to issue any Common Shares or make any cash payment under the Plan unless such obligations are satisfied.
12.2 Share Withholding. To the extent that applicable law subjects a Participant to tax withholding obligations, the Administrator may permit such Participant to satisfy all or part of such obligations by having the Company withhold all or a portion of any Common Shares that otherwise would be issued to him or her or by surrendering all or a portion of any Common Shares that he or she previously acquired. Such Common Shares shall be valued on the date when they are withheld or surrendered. Any payment of taxes by assigning Common Shares to the Company may be subject to restrictions including any restrictions required by SEC, accounting or other rules.
12.3 Section 409A Matters. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in an Award Agreement, it is intended that Awards granted under the Plan either be exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A. To the extent an Award is subject to Code Section 409A (a 409A Award), the terms of the Plan, the Award and any written agreement governing the Award shall be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A so that the Award is not subject to additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A, unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise. A 409A Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Administrator from time to time in order for it to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a separation from service to an individual who is considered a specified employee (as each term is defined under Code 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 Participants separation from service or (ii) the Participants death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to Code Section 409A(a)(1).
12.4 Limitation on Liability. Neither the Company nor any person serving as Administrator shall have any liability to a Participant in the event an Award held by the Participant fails to achieve its intended characterization under applicable tax law.
ARTICLE 13. FUTURE OF THE PLAN.
13.1 Term of the Plan. The Plan, as set forth herein, shall become effective on the date of its adoption by the Board, subject to approval of the Companys stockholders under Article 13.3 below. The Plan shall terminate automatically 10 years after the date when the Board initially adopted the Plan.
13.2 Amendment or Termination. The Board may, at any time and for any reason, amend or terminate the Plan. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the termination thereof. The termination of the Plan, or any amendment thereof, shall not affect any Award previously granted under the Plan.
13.3 Stockholder Approval. To the extent required by applicable law, the Plan will be subject to the approval of the Companys stockholders within 12 months of its adoption date. An amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Companys stockholders only to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations or rules.
ARTICLE 14. DEFINITIONS.
14.1 Administrator means the Board or any Committee administering the Plan in accordance with Article 2.
14.2 Affiliate means any entity other than a Subsidiary, if the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of such entity.
14.3 Award means any award granted under the Plan, including as an Option, a SAR, a Restricted Share award, a Restricted Stock Unit award or another form of equity-based compensation award.
14.4 Award Agreement means a Stock Option Agreement, a SAR Agreement, a Restricted Stock Agreement, a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement or such other agreement evidencing an Award granted under the Plan.
14.5 Board means the Companys Board of Directors, as constituted from time to time and, where the context so requires, reference to the Board may refer to a Committee to whom the Board has delegated authority to administer any aspect of this Plan.
14.6 Change in Control means:
(a) Any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the Companys then-outstanding voting securities;
(b) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Companys assets;
(c) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
(d) Individuals who are members of the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board over a period of 12 months; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Companys incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Companys securities immediately before such transaction. In addition, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for a deferral of compensation and is subject to Code Section 409A, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or applicable Award Agreement the transaction with respect to such Award must also constitute a change in control event as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) to the extent required by Code Section 409A.
14.7 Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
14.8 Committee means a committee of one or more members of the Board, or of other individuals satisfying applicable laws, appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.
14.9 Common Share means one share of the Companys common stock.
14.10 Company means TScan Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
14.11 Consultant means a consultant or adviser who provides bona fide services to the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary 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 Securities Act.
14.12 Employee means a common-law employee of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.
14.13 Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
14.14 Exercise Price, in the case of an Option, means the amount for which one Common Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. Exercise Price, in the case of a SAR, means an amount, as specified in the applicable SAR Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value of one Common Share in determining the amount payable upon exercise of such SAR.
14.15 Fair Market Value means the closing price of a Common Share on any established stock exchange or a national market system on the applicable date or, if the applicable date is not a trading day, on the last trading day prior to the applicable date, as reported in a source that the Administrator deems reliable. If Common Shares are not traded on an established stock exchange or a national market system, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate. The Administrators determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the determination of the Fair Market Value in all cases shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth under Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary for an Award to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code.
14.16 IPO Date means the effective date of the registration statement filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission for its initial offering of the Common Shares to the public.
14.17 ISO means an incentive stock option described in Code Section 422(b).
14.18 NSO means a stock option not described in Code Sections 422 or 423.
14.19 Option means an ISO or NSO granted under the Plan and entitling the holder to purchase Common Shares.
14.20 Optionee means an individual or estate holding an Option or SAR.
14.21 Outside Director means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
14.22 Parent means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.
14.23 Participant means an individual or estate holding an Award.
14.24 Plan means this TScan Therapeutics, Inc. Amended and Restated 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
14.25 Predecessor Plan means the Companys 2018 Stock Plan, as amended.
14.26 Pre-Funded Warrant means any warrant to acquire Common Shares for a nominal exercise price.
14.27 Restricted Share means a Common Share awarded under the Plan.
14.28 Restricted Stock Agreement means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and the recipient of a Restricted Share that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Restricted Share.
14.29 Restricted Stock Unit means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one Common Share, as awarded under the Plan.
14.30 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and the recipient of a Restricted Stock Unit that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Restricted Stock Unit.
14.31 SAR means a stock appreciation right granted under the Plan.
14.32 SAR Agreement means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and an Optionee that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to his or her SAR.
14.33 Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
14.34 Service Provider means any individual who is an Employee, Outside Director or Consultant, including any prospective Employee, Outside Director or Consultant who has accepted an offer of employment or service and will be an Employee, Outside Director or Consultant after the commencement of their service.
14.35 Stock Option Agreement means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and an Optionee that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to his or her Option.
14.36 Subsidiary means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date
14.37 Substitute Awards means Awards or Common Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, in each case by a corporation acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines to the extent permitted by the applicable exchange listing standards.
14.38 Total Outstanding Common Shares means the total outstanding Common Shares, including the Common Shares underlying outstanding Pre-Funded Warrants.
TSCAN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
You have been granted the following option to purchase shares of the common stock of TScan Therapeutics, Inc. (the Company):
Name of Optionee: | «Name» | |
Total Number of Shares: | «TotalShares» | |
Type of Option: | «ISO» Incentive Stock Option | |
«NSO» Nonstatutory Stock Option | ||
Exercise Price per Share: | $«PricePerShare» | |
Date of Grant: | «DateGrant» | |
Vesting Commencement Date: | «VestDay» | |
Vesting Schedule: | This option shall vest and become exercisable with respect to the first «CliffPercent» of the shares subject to this option when you complete «CliffPeriod» months of continuous service as an [Employee or Consultant][Outside Director] (Service) after the Vesting Commencement Date. This option shall vest and become exercisable with respect to an additional «IncrementalPercent» of the shares subject to this option when you complete each additional month of continuous Service thereafter. | |
Expiration Date: | «ExpDate». This option expires earlier if your Service terminates earlier, as described in the Stock Option Agreement, and may terminate earlier in connection with certain corporate transactions as described in Article 9 of the Plan. |
You and the Company agree that this option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Companys Amended and Restated 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) and the Stock Option Agreement, both of which are attached to, and made a part of, this document. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan.
The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to options awarded under the Plan, future options that may be awarded under the Plan and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to security holders (including annual reports and proxy statements) by email or other electronic means (including by posting them on a website maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company). You hereby consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agree to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company. You acknowledge that you may incur costs in connection with any such delivery by means of electronic transmission, including the cost of accessing the Internet and printing fees, and that an interruption of Internet access may interfere with your ability to access the documents.
You further agree to comply with the Companys Insider Trading Policy when selling shares of the Companys common stock.
TSCAN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
2021 AMENDED AND RESTATED EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Grant of Option | Subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the Grant Notice), this Stock Option Agreement (the Agreement) and the Plan, the Company has granted you an option to purchase up to the total number of shares specified in the Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in the Grant Notice.
All capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Agreement, the Grant Notice or the Plan. | |
Tax Treatment | This option is intended to be an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code or a nonstatutory stock option, as provided in the Grant Notice. However, even if this option is designated as an incentive stock option in the Grant Notice, it shall be deemed to be a nonstatutory stock option to the extent it does not qualify as an incentive stock option under federal tax law, including under the $100,000 annual limitation under Section 422(d) of the Code. | |
Vesting | This option vests and becomes exercisable in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice.
In no event will this option vest or become exercisable for additional shares after your Service has terminated for any reason unless expressly provided in a written agreement between you and the Company. | |
Term of Option | This option expires in any event at the close of business at Company headquarters on the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant, as shown in the Grant Notice. (This option will expire earlier if your Service terminates earlier, as described below, and this option may be terminated earlier as provided in Article 9 of the Plan.) | |
Termination of Service | If your Service terminates for any reason, this option will expire to the extent it is unvested as of your termination date and does not vest as a result of your termination of Service. The Company determines whether and when your Service terminates for all purposes of this option. | |
Regular Termination | If your Service terminates for any reason except death or total and permanent disability, then this option, to the extent vested as of your termination date, will expire at the close of business at Company headquarters on the date three months after your termination date. | |
Death | If your Service terminates as a result of your death, then this option, to the extent vested as of the date of your death, will expire at the close of business at Company headquarters on the date twelve months after the date of death. | |
Disability | If your Service terminates because of your total and permanent disability, then this option, to the extent vested as of your termination date, will expire at the close of business at Company headquarters on the date six months after your termination date.
For all purposes under this Agreement, total and permanent disability means that you are unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted, or can be expected to last, for a continuous period of not less than one year. |
Leaves of Absence and Part-Time Work | For purposes of this option, your Service does not terminate when you go on a military leave, a sick leave or another bona fide leave of absence, if the leave was approved by the Company in writing, and if continued crediting of Service is required by applicable law, the Companys leave of absence policy or the terms of your leave. However, your Service terminates when the approved leave ends, unless you immediately return to active work.
If you go on a leave of absence, or if you commence working on a part-time basis, the Company may adjust the vesting schedule in accordance with the Companys leave of absence policy or the terms of your leave or so that the rate of vesting is commensurate with your reduced work schedule, as applicable. | |
Restrictions on Exercise | The Company will not permit you to exercise this option if the issuance of shares at that time would violate any law or regulation. | |
Notice of Exercise | When you wish to exercise this option, you must notify the Company by filing the proper Notice of Exercise form at the address given on the form or, if the Company has designated a third party to administer the Plan, you must notify such third party in the manner such third party requires. Your notice must specify how many shares you wish to purchase. The notice will be effective when the Company receives it.
However, if you wish to exercise this option by executing a same-day sale (as described below), you must follow the instructions of the Company and the broker who will execute the sale.
If someone else wants to exercise this option after your death, that person must prove to the Companys satisfaction that he or she is entitled to do so.
You may only exercise your option for whole shares. | |
Form of Payment | When you submit your notice of exercise, you must make arrangements for the payment of the option exercise price for the shares that you are purchasing. To the extent permitted by applicable law, payment may be made in one (or a combination of two or more) of the following forms:
By delivering to the Company your personal check, a cashiers check or a money order, or arranging for a wire transfer.
By giving to a securities broker approved by the Company irrevocable directions to sell all or part of your option shares and to deliver to the Company, from the sale proceeds, an amount sufficient to pay the option exercise price and any Tax-Related Items (as defined below). (The balance of the sale proceeds, if any, will be delivered to you.) The directions must be given in accordance with the instructions of the Company and the broker. This exercise method is sometimes called a same-day sale.
The Company may permit other forms of payment in its discretion to the extent permitted by the Plan. |
Withholding Taxes | Regardless of any action the Company (or, if applicable, the Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate employing or retaining you (the Employer)) takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to the participation in the Plan and legally applicable to you (Tax-Related Items), you acknowledge that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains your responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company and/or the Employer. You further acknowledge that the Company and the Employer (1) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the options, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or exercise of the option, the issuance of shares upon exercise of the option, the subsequent sale of shares acquired pursuant to such exercise and the receipt of any dividends and/or any dividend equivalents; and (2) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the option or any aspect of the option to reduce or eliminate your liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if you are subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction, you acknowledge that the Company and/or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.
You will not be allowed to exercise this option unless you make arrangements acceptable to the Company and/or the Employer to pay any Tax-Related Items that the Company and/or the Employer determine must be withheld. These arrangements include payment in cash or via the same-day sale procedure described above. With the Companys consent, these arrangements may also include (a) withholding shares of Company stock that otherwise would be issued to you when you exercise this option with a value equal to withholding taxes, (b) surrendering shares that you previously acquired with a value equal to the withholding taxes, or (c) withholding cash from other compensation. The value of withheld or surrendered shares, determined as of the date when taxes otherwise would have been withheld in cash, will be applied to the Tax-Related Items. | |
Restrictions on Resale | You agree not to sell any option shares at a time when applicable laws, Company policies or an agreement between the Company and its underwriters prohibit a sale. This restriction will apply as long as your Service continues and for such period of time after the termination of your Service as the Company may specify. | |
Transfer of Option | Prior to your death, only you may exercise this option. You cannot transfer or assign this option. For instance, you may not sell this option or use it as security for a loan. If you attempt to do any of these things, this option will immediately become invalid. You may, however, dispose of this option in your will or by means of a written beneficiary designation (if authorized by the Company and to the extent such beneficiary designation is valid under applicable law) which must be filed with the Company on the proper form; provided, however, that your beneficiary or a representative of your estate acknowledges and agrees in writing in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan as if such beneficiary or representative of the estate were you.
Regardless of any marital property settlement agreement, the Company is not obligated to honor a notice of exercise from your former spouse, nor is the Company obligated to recognize your former spouses interest in your option in any other way. | |
No Retention Rights | You understand that neither this option nor this Agreement alters the at-will nature of your relationship with the Company. Your option or this Agreement does not give you the right to be retained by the Company, a Parent, Subsidiary, or an Affiliate in any capacity. The Company and its Parents, Subsidiaries, and Affiliates reserve the right to terminate your Service at any time, with or without cause. | |
Stockholder Rights | You, or your estate or heirs, have no rights as a stockholder of the Company until you have exercised this option by giving the required notice to the Company, paying the exercise price, and satisfying any applicable Tax-Related Items. No adjustments are made for dividends or other rights if the applicable record date occurs before you exercise this option, except as described in the Plan. |
Recoupment Policy | This option, and the shares acquired upon exercise of this option, shall be subject to any Company recoupment or clawback policy in effect from time to time. | |
Adjustments | In the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in Company common stock, the number of shares covered by this option and the exercise price per share will be adjusted pursuant to the Plan. | |
Effect of Significant Corporate Transactions | If the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, or certain change in control transactions, then this option will be subject to the applicable provisions of Article 9 of the Plan. | |
Applicable Law | This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to its choice-of-law provisions). | |
The Plan and Other Agreements | The text of the Plan is incorporated in this Agreement by reference.
This Plan, this Agreement and the Grant Notice constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this option. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this option are superseded. This Agreement may be amended only by another written agreement between the parties. |
BY ACCEPTING THIS OPTION GRANT, YOU AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE AND IN THE PLAN.
Exhibit 99.1
TScan Therapeutics Announces Updates to its Board of Directors
Garry A. Nicholson, an experienced executive with regulatory and commercial expertise, joins the Board of Directors
Timothy Barberich retires as Chair; Stephen Biggar, M.D., Ph.D. assumes the role of Chair
WALTHAM, Mass., June 14, 2024 TScan Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TCRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cell (TCR-T) therapies for the treatment of patients with cancer, today announced changes to its Board of Directors. Garry A. Nicholson has been appointed to the Companys Board of Directors. In addition, Timothy Barberich has retired as a Member and Chair of the Board of Directors. Current board member Stephen Biggar, M.D., Ph.D., will assume the role of Chair of the Board of Directors.
We are pleased to welcome Garry to our Board of Directors. He has a breadth of experience in oncology development and commercialization spanning more than 35 years, including serving as president of Pfizer Oncology where he led its global oncology franchise, said Gavin MacBeath, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer. Garry has extensive expertise in operations, sales, regulatory strategy, and commercialization, and we look forward to working with him as we advance our clinical programs toward pivotal studies.
I am delighted to be joining TScans Board and look forward to working with the leadership team to further advance the progress of this company and its mission of bringing life-changing therapies to patients suffering from cancer. My previous experience across commercialization, operations, regulatory affairs and launch strategy will help support the growth of TScan and the advancement of this innovative pipeline, said Mr. Nicholson.
We all wish Tim well as he retires from the Board. He has been an esteemed member of the Board since 2019 and as Chair of the Board since 2021. TScan has benefitted from Tims more than 40 years experience in pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and we appreciate his contributions and insights that have helped us grow from a discovery-stage organization into a clinically focused company since our inception, added Dr. MacBeath. Steve has served on the Board of TScan since 2021, and we welcome him to this new leadership role.
Mr. Nicholson has more than 35 years of pharmaceutical and biotech oncology experience. Mr. Nicholson currently serves as chairman of the board of directors for G1 Therapeutics, Day One Biopharmaceuticals and Abdera Therapeutics. He also previously served on the board of directors for Turning Point Therapeutics, Five Prime Therapeutics, Tmunity and TESARO prior to their acquisitions by large pharmaceutical companies. As former president of Pfizer Oncology, his responsibilities included global commercialization, sales, clinical development, regulatory strategy and business development for Pfizers oncology portfolio. Earlier in his career, Mr. Nicholson held various leadership positions in the oncology division of Eli Lilly and Company, including global oncology platform leader. He has also served as president and CEO of XTuit Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Nicholson earned a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina.
About TScan Therapeutics, Inc.
TScan is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cell (TCR-T) therapies for the treatment of patients with cancer. The Companys lead TCR-T candidates, TSC-100 and TSC-101, are in development for the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies to prevent relapse following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. The Company is also developing TCR-T candidates for the treatment of various solid tumors. The Company has developed and continues to expand its ImmunoBank, the Companys repository of therapeutic TCRs that recognize diverse targets and are associated with multiple HLA types, to provide customized multiplex therapeutic TCR-Ts for patients with a variety of cancers.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, express or implied statements regarding the Companys plans, progress, and timing relating to the Companys hematologic malignancies and solid tumor program, including the progress of such programs being indicative or predictive of the success of such program; the potential benefits of any of the Companys proprietary platforms, multiplexing, or current or future product candidates in treating patients; and the Companys goals and strategy. TScan intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as, but not limited to, may, might, will, objective, intend, should, could, can, would, expect, believe, anticipate, project, target, design, estimate, predict, potential, plan, on track, or similar expressions or the negative of those terms. Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions, and uncertainties. The express or implied forward-looking statements included in this release are only predictions and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation: the beneficial characteristics, safety, efficacy, therapeutic effects and potential advantages of TScans TCR-T therapy candidates; TScans expectations regarding its preclinical studies being predictive of clinical trial results; TScans recently approved INDs being indicative or predictive of bringing TScan closer to its goal of providing customized TCR-T therapies to treat patients with cancer; the timing of the launch, initiation, progress, expected results and announcements of TScans preclinical studies, clinical trials and its research and development programs; TScans ability to enroll patients for its clinical trials within its expected timeline; TScans plans relating to developing and commercializing its TCR-T therapy candidates, if approved, including sales strategy; estimates of the size of the addressable market for TScans TCR-T therapy candidates; TScans manufacturing capabilities and the scalable nature of its manufacturing process; TScans estimates regarding expenses, future milestone payments and revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; TScans expectations regarding competition; TScans anticipated growth strategies; TScans ability to attract or retain key personnel; TScans ability to establish and maintain development partnerships and collaborations; TScans expectations regarding federal, state and foreign regulatory requirements; TScans ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its proprietary platform technology and our product candidates; the sufficiency of TScans existing capital resources to fund its future operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; and other factors that are described in the Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of TScans most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any other filings that TScan has made or may make with the SEC in the future. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release represent TScans views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Except as required by law, TScan explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Contacts
Heather Savelle
TScan Therapeutics, Inc.
VP, Investor Relations
857-399-9840
hsavelle@tscan.com
Maghan Meyers
Argot Partners
212-600-1902
TScan@argotpartners.com