Change In Control Employment Agreement - CytRx Corp. and Jack J. Luchese
CHANGE IN CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between CytRx Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company") and Jack J. Luchese (the "Executive"), dated as of the 16th day
of April, 1997.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined
that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to assure
that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control
(as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to
diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control
and to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and
to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a
Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations
of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of
other corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the
Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during
the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section l(b)) on which a Change of
Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change
of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that
such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has
taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii)
otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then
for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date
immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period
commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date
hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date
hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual
anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"),
unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date,
unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice
to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.
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(c) The "1995 Employment Agreement" shall mean that
certain Employment Agreement, dated as of March 7, 1995, as amended, by and
between the Company and the Executive.
2. Change of Control. For the purposes of this Agreement, a
"Change of Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group
(within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act)
of 25% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however,
that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not
constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition by a Person who is on April
1, 1997 the beneficial owner of 25% or more of the Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, (ii) any acquisition directly from the Company, (iii) any
acquisition by the Company, (iv) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation
controlled by the Company, or (v) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant
to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection
(c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of April 1, 1997, constitute the
Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a
director subsequent to April 1, 1997 whose election, or nomination for election
by the Company's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though
such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies
or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless,
following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and outstanding Company Voting Securities
immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case
may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including,
without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns
the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly
or through one or more
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subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,
(ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business
Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or
such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially
owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent
that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (iii) at
least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at
the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the
Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the
employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second
anniversary of such date (the "Employment Period").
4. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the
Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting
requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least
commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date, and (B) the Executive's services shall be
performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately
preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from
such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any
periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the
Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business
hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary
to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use
the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently
such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a
violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic
or charitable boards or committees, (B) engage in other business activities
that do not represent a conflict of interest with his duties to the Company,
and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not
significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this
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Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any
such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to 12 times the highest monthly
base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been earned
but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in
respect of the 12-month period immediately preceding the month in which the
Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary
shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded
to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually.
Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other
obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not
be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized
in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used
in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall include any company
controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base
Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the
Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal
to the Executive's highest annual bonus for the last three full fiscal years
prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive was not
employed by the Company for the whole of such fiscal year). Each such Annual
Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year
next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless
the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans.
During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in
all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs
applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to
both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that
such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit
opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the
Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at
any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or
if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after
the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
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(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment
Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall
be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare
benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription,
dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel
accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable
policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies
in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the most
favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
5. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive's employment
shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment
Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the
Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition
of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in
accordance with Section 13(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate
the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's employment with the
Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice
by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the
30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's
duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive days as a
result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to
be total and permanent by a physician selected by the
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Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's
legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the
Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or
one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity
due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the
Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not
substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in
illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably
injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution
duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive
Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel
for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for
Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy
of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than
three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board
called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the
Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to
be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the
Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or
(ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be
terminated by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties
inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or
responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any
other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position,
authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
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insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any
of the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be
based at any office or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B)
hereof or the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business
to a substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the
Effective Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the
Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement;
or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and
satisfy Section 12(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of
"Good Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for
any reason during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary
of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for
all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the
Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated
by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance
with Section 13(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a
"Notice of Termination" means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed
to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below)
is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination
date (which date shall be not more than 30 days after the giving of such
notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the
Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing
of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the
Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i)
if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by
the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination
or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the
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Company other than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination,
and (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or
Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive
or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If,
during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's
employment other than for Cause or Disability, or the Executive shall terminate
employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the
following amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's
Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not
theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the Annual Bonus paid or payable,
including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred, for
the most recently completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any
(such amount being referred to as the "Most Recent Annual Bonus") and (y) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal
year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, and
(3) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any
accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each
case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in
clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued
Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to two times the
sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary, and (2) the Most Recent Annual
Bonus; and
C. an amount equal to the excess of (a)
the actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the Company's qualified
retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan") (utilizing actuarial assumptions no
less favorable to the Executive than those in effect under the Company's
Retirement Plan immediately prior to the Effective Date), and any excess or
supplemental retirement plans in which the Executive participates (together,
the "SERP") which the Executive would receive if the Executive's employment
continued for two years after the Date of Termination, assuming for this
purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and, assuming that the
Executive's compensation in each of such two years is the Annual Base Salary
required by Section 4(b)(i) plus the Most Recent Annual Bonus, over (b) the
actuarial equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable), if
any, under the Retirement Plan and the SERP as of the Date of Termination;
(ii) for two years after the Executive's Date of
Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the
appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue
benefits to the Executive and/or the
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Executive's family at least equal to those which would have been provided to
them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described
in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's employment had not
been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies and their families, provided, however, that if
the Executive becomes re-employed with another employer and is eligible to
receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided
plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be
secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period
of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of
commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to
such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered
to have remained employed until two years after the Date of Termination and to
have retired on the last day of such period;
(iii) to the extent not theretofore paid or
provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other
amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is
eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(iv) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, the Executive shall forfeit his right to receive, or, to the
extent such amounts have previously been paid to the Executive, shall repay in
full to the Company with interest at 8% per annum within thirty (30) days of a
final determination of the Executive's liability therefor as set forth below,
the amount described in Section 6(a)(i)(B) of this Agreement if at any time
during the period of two years after the Date of Termination (the "Restricted
Period") he violates the restrictions on competition set forth in Section 11
hereof. Any determination of whether the Executive has violated the such non-
competition restrictions shall be made by arbitration in Atlanta, Georgia under
the Rules of Commercial Arbitration (the "Rules") of the American Arbitration
Association, which Rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated
by reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits
at least equal to the most favorable of the following: (1) the death benefits
described in Section 7(c) of the 1995 Employment Agreement (whether or not
superseded by this Agreement), (2) benefits provided by the Company and
affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the
Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs,
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practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with
respect to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date, or (3) similar
benefits in effect on the date of the Executive's death with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their
beneficiaries.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without furthe obligations to the
Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment
or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be
entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other
benefits at least equal to the most favorable of the following: (1) the
post-disability benefits described in Section 7(c) of the 1995 Employment
Agreement (whether or not superseded by this Agreement), (2) disability and
other benefits generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies
to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect
generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date, or (3)
disability and other benefits in effect at any time thereafter generally with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies
and their families.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the
Executive's employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base
Salary through the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation
previously deferred by the Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to
the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates
employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good
Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the
Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or
provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other
Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(d) shall include, and the Executive
shall be entitled after his termination of employment to receive, the
post-termination benefits described in the first sentence of Section 7(a) of
the 1995 Employment Agreement (whether or not superseded by this Agreement).
7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any
plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to
Section 13(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as
the Executive may have under any contract or agreement
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with the Company or any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested
benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any
plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the
Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of
Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or
program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this
Agreement.
8. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the
payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have
against the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated
to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement
and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains
other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent
permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may
reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof)
by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of,
or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of
performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Executive
about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case
interest on any delayed payment at the applicable federal rate provided for in
Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code").
9. Certain Adjustments for Excise Tax.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or
distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether
paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the "Excise Tax"), then, prior to the
making of any Payment to the Executive, a calculation shall be made comparing
(i) the net benefit to the Executive of the Payment after payment of the Excise
Tax and all applicable federal, state and local income and other taxes, to (ii)
the net benefit to the Executive if the Payment had been limited to the extent
necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax (but after payment of all
other applicable federal, state and local income and other taxes). If the
amount calculated under (i) above is less than the amount calculated under (ii)
above, then the Payment shall be limited to the extent necessary to avoid being
subject to the Excise Tax, and the Executive may select the component of the
Payment to which such limitation is to be applied.
(b) The determination of whether an Excise Tax would be
imposed, the amount of such Excise Tax, and the calculation of the amounts
referred to in (i) and (ii) above shall be made by Ernst & Young LLP or such
other nationally-recognized public accounting firm as may be designated by the
Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the
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Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive
that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the
Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or
auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of
Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting
firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of
the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any determination by
the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a
result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the
time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is
possible that Payments which the Executive was entitled to, but did not receive
pursuant to this Section 9, could have been made without the imposition of the
Excise Tax ("Underpayment"). In such event, the Accounting Firm shall
determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Executive.
10. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated
companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by
the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other
than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation
of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or
divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the
Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of
the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or
withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this
Agreement.
11. Restriction on Competition. In order to protect the Company's
investment, which includes but is not limited to, time, money and proprietary
information and in recognition of the unique character of the trade secrets and
other confidential information which are the basis of the Company's business
and future business opportunities, in recognition of the worldwide geographic
scope of the Company's business and/or potential business opportunities and the
Executive's contemplated role, responsibilities and knowledge therefor, for a
period of two years following the Date of Termination, regardless of the reason
therefor, the Executive agrees that he will not work as a consultant for or
directly or indirectly perform services anywhere in the world for himself or
any other person, firm or corporation in any capacity involving the study,
development, use, manufacture or marketing of all formulations and methods
using the surface-active copolymers described in U.S. Patent No. 4,801,452,
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 291,925, U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
107,358, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 208,335, and U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 150,731. The foregoing shall not preclude (i) the
employment of the Executive, whether as a director,
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<PAGE> 14
officer, employee, consultant or otherwise, by a research partner, joint
venture partner, licensee or other person, or corporation or entity that at
such time is authorized by the Company to have rights in or to restricted
products, or (ii) the ownership by the Executive of investment securities
representing not more than three per cent of the outstanding voting securities
of company engaged in a pharmaceutical business, whose stock and/or securities
are traded on a national stock exchange or national quotations system, provided
that such investment is passive and not with the intention of controlling such
business.
12. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and
without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the
Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the
same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such
succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean
the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or
assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.
13. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of
the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may
not be amended or modified otherwise than-by a written agreement executed by
the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
Mr. Jack J. Luchese
3030 Castle Pines Drive
Duluth, Georgia 30136
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<PAGE> 15
If to the Company:
the Company Corporation
154 Technology Parkway
Norcross, Georgia 30092
Attention: Secretary
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable
under this Agreement such federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist
upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to
assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including,
without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good
Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed
to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of
this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that,
except as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between
the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company
is "at will" and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date,
the Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either
the Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which
case the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and
after the Effective Date, this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, including
without limitation the 1995 Employment Agreement; provided, however, that the
following shall expressly survive the Effective Date of this Agreement: (i)
Paragraphs 6, 10, 11(a), 11(c), 11(d) and 12(a) of the 1995 Employment
Agreement, and (ii) any and all outstanding rights, options and/or warrants to
purchase stock of the Company held by the Executive on the Effective Date.
(signatures on following page)
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<PAGE> 16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the
Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf by
its undersigned officer thereunto, duly authorized, all as of the day and year
first above written.
/s/ Jack J. Luchese
------------------------------------
Jack J. Luchese
CYTRX CORPORATION
By: /s/ William B. Fleck
---------------------------------
William B. Fleck Vice
President - Human Resources
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