MOLECULAR DEVICES CORP
S-8, EX-99.2, 2000-09-06
LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
Previous: MOLECULAR DEVICES CORP, S-8, EX-99.1, 2000-09-06
Next: MOLECULAR DEVICES CORP, S-8, EX-99.3, 2000-09-06



<PAGE>   1

                                  EXHIBIT 99.2


                              LJL BIOSYSTEMS, INC.

                                 1997 STOCK PLAN



        1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purposes of this 1997 Stock Plan are to
attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants of
the Company and its Subsidiaries and to promote the success of the Company's
business. Options granted under the Plan may be incentive stock options (as
defined under Section 422 of the Code) or nonstatutory stock options, as
determined by the Administrator at the time of grant of an option and subject to
the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code, as amended, and the
regulations promulgated thereunder. Stock purchase rights may also be granted
under the Plan.

        2. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

            (a) "ADMINISTRATOR" means the Board or any of its Committees
appointed pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.

            (b) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

            (c) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

            (d) "COMMITTEE" means the Committee appointed by the Board of
Directors in accordance with Section 4(a) of the Plan.

            (e) "COMMON STOCK" means the Common Stock of the Company.

            (f) "COMPANY" means LJL BioSystems, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

            (g) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, who is
engaged by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to render services and is
compensated for such services, and any director of the Company whether
compensated for such services or not.

            (h) "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT" means the
absence of any interruption or termination of service as an Employee or
Consultant. Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not be
considered interrupted in the case of: (i) sick leave; (ii) military leave;
(iii) any other leave of absence approved by the Administrator, provided that
such leave is for a period of not more than ninety (90) days, unless
reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or
statute, or unless provided otherwise pursuant to Company policy adopted from
time to time; or (iv) in the case of transfers between locations of the Company
or between the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective successors. For
purposes of this Plan, a change in status from an Employee to a Consultant or
from a Consultant to an Employee will not constitute an interruption of
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant.

<PAGE>   2


            (i) "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including officers and directors,
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, with the
status of employment determined based upon such minimum number of hours or
periods worked as shall be determined by the Administrator in its discretion,
subject to any requirements of the Code. The payment by the Company of a
director's fee to a Director shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment"
of such Director by the Company.

            (j) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

            (k) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the fair market value
of Common Stock determined as follows:

                (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system including without limitation the National
Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotation ("Nasdaq") System, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales
price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported), as quoted
on such system or exchange, or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading
in Common Stock on the grant date, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or
such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

                (ii) If the Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq System (but not
on the National Market thereof) or regularly quoted by a recognized securities
dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the
mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the grant
date, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the
Administrator deems reliable; or

                (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

            (l) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify as
an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, as
designated in the applicable written option agreement.

            (m) "NAMED EXECUTIVE" means any individual who, on the last day of
the Company's fiscal year, is the chief executive officer of the Company (or is
acting in such capacity) or among the four highest compensated officers of the
Company (other than the chief executive officer). Such officer status shall be
determined pursuant to the executive compensation disclosure rules under the
Exchange Act.

            (n) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, as designated in the applicable written
option agreement.

            (o) "OPTION" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

            (p) "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or
a Stock Purchase Right.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3


            (q) "OPTIONEE" means an Employee or Consultant who receives an
Option or a Stock Purchase Right.

            (r) "PARENT" means a "parent corporation", whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code, or any successor provision.

            (s) "PLAN" means this 1997 Stock Plan.

            (t) "REPORTING PERSON" means an officer, director, or greater than
ten percent stockholder of the Company within the meaning of Rule 16a-2 under
the Exchange Act, who is required to file reports pursuant to Rule 16a-3 under
the Exchange Act.

            (u) "RESTRICTED STOCK" means shares of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to a grant of a Stock Purchase Right under Section 11 below.

            (v) "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act, as the same may be amended from time to time, or any successor provision.

            (w) "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.

            (x) "STOCK EXCHANGE" means any stock exchange or consolidated stock
price reporting system on which prices for the Common Stock are quoted at any
given time.

            (y) "STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT" means the right to purchase Common Stock
pursuant to Section 11 below.

            (z) "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, or any successor
provision.

        3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 2,070,750 shares (post reverse split) of Common Stock. The
Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. If an Option
should expire or become unexercisable for any reason without having been
exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares that were subject thereto shall,
unless the Plan shall have been terminated, become available for future grant
under the Plan. In addition, any Shares of Common Stock which are retained by
the Company upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right in order to
satisfy the exercise or purchase price for such Option or Stock Purchase Right
or any withholding taxes due with respect to such exercise shall be treated as
not issued and shall continue to be available under the Plan. Shares repurchased
by the Company pursuant to any repurchase right which the Company may have shall
not be available for future grant under the Plan.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

        4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

            (a) INITIAL PLAN PROCEDURE. Prior to the date, if any, upon which
the Company becomes subject to the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered
by the Board or a committee appointed by the Board.

            (b) PLAN PROCEDURE AFTER THE DATE, IF ANY, UPON WHICH THE COMPANY
BECOMES SUBJECT TO THE EXCHANGE ACT.

                (i) MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES. If permitted by Rule 16b-3,
grants under the Plan may be made by different bodies with respect to directors,
non-director officers and Employees or Consultants who are not Reporting
Persons.

                (ii) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO REPORTING PERSONS. With
respect to grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to Employees who are
Reporting Persons, such grants shall be made by (A) the Board if the Board may
make grants to Reporting Persons under the Plan in compliance with Rule 16b-3 or
any successor thereto and Section 162(m) of the Code as it applies so as to
qualify grants of Options to Named Executives as performance-based compensation,
or (B) a committee designated by the Board to make such grants under the Plan,
which committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to permit grants under
the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3, to quality grants of Options to Named
Executive as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and
otherwise so as to satisfy the legal requirements relating to the administration
of incentive stock option plans, if any, of California corporate and securities
laws, of the Code and of any applicable Stock Exchange (the "Applicable Laws").
Once appointed, such committee shall continue to serve in its designated
capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may
increase the size of the committee and appoint additional members thereof,
remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution
therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove all members of the
committee and thereafter directly make grants to Reporting Persons under the
Plan, all to the extent permitted by Rule 16b-3 and to the extent required under
Section 162(m) of the Code to qualify grants of Options to Named Executives as
performance-based compensation.

                (iii) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO CONSULTANTS AND OTHER
EMPLOYEES. With respect to grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to
Employees or Consultants who are not Reporting Persons, the Plan shall be
administered by (A) the Board or (B) a committee designated by the Board, which
committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to satisfy the Applicable
Laws. Once appointed, such Committee shall continue to serve in its designated
capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may
increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members thereof,
remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution
therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove all members of the
Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent
permitted by the Applicable Laws.

            (c) POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan and in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board
to such Committee, and



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

subject to the approval of any relevant authorities, including the approval, if
required, of any Stock Exchange, the Administrator shall have the authority, in
its discretion:

                (i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, in
accordance with Section 2(k) of the Plan;

                (ii) to select the Consultants and Employees to whom Options and
Stock Purchase Rights may from time to time be granted hereunder;

                (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options and Stock
Purchase Rights or any combination thereof are granted hereunder;

                (iv) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each such award granted hereunder;

                (v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

                (vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder;

                (vii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then
current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered
by such Option shall have declined since the date the Option was granted;

                (viii) to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to
Stock Purchase Rights and the Restricted Stock purchased by exercising such
Stock Purchase Rights; and

                (ix) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan; and

                (x) in order to fulfill the purposes of the Plan and without
amending the Plan, to modify grants of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to
participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside of the United States
in order to recognize differences in local law, tax policies or customs.

            (d) EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION. All decisions,
determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.

        5. ELIGIBILITY.

            (a) RECIPIENTS OF GRANTS. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock
Purchase Rights may be granted to Employees and Consultants. Incentive Stock
Options may be granted only to Employees. An Employee or Consultant who has been
granted an Option or Stock Purchase Right may, if he or she is otherwise
eligible, be granted additional Options or Stock Purchase Rights.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6


            (b) TYPE OF OPTION. Each Option shall be designated in the written
option agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock
Option. However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the
aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares with respect to which Options designated
as Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee
during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5(b), Incentive Stock
Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and
the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall
be determined as of the date of the grant of such Option.

            (c) The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with
respect to continuation of employment or consulting relationship with the
Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with such Optionee's right or the
Company's right to terminate his or her employment or consulting relationship at
any time, with or without cause.

        6. TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
stockholders of the Company as described in Section 19 of the Plan. It shall
continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under
Section 15 of the Plan.

        7. TERM OF OPTION. The term of each Option shall be the term stated in
the Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten
(10) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be
provided in the Option Agreement and provided further that, in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is
granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall be five (5) years from the date of
grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the written option
agreement.

        8. LIMITATION ON GRANTS TO EMPLOYEES. Subject to adjustment as provided
in this Plan, the maximum number of Shares which may be subject to options
granted to any one Employee under this Plan for any fiscal year of the Company
shall be 2,000,000 (on a post-split basis). This Section 8 shall not apply prior
to the date upon which the Company becomes subject to the Exchange Act and
following such date, shall not apply until the (i) earliest of: (A) the first
material modification of the Plan (including any increase to the number of
shares reserved for issuance under the Plan in accordance with Section 3); (B)
the issuance of all of the shares of common stock reserved for issuance under
the Plan; (C) the expiration of the Plan; or (D) the first meeting of
shareholders at which directors are to be elected that occurs after the close of
the third calendar year following the calendar year in which occurred the first
registration of any equity security under Section 12 of the Exchange Act; or
(ii) such other date required by Section 162(m) of the Code and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7


        9. OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.

            (a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued
pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the
Board and set forth in the applicable agreement, but shall be subject to the
following:

                (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is:

                    (A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of
such Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%)
of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of
the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                    (B) granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise
price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date
of grant.

                (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option that is:

                    (A) granted to a person who, at the time of the grant of
such Option is a Named Executive of the Company, the per Share exercise price
shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the
grant.

                    (B) granted to any person other than a Named Executive, the
per Share exercise price shall be such price as is determined by the
Administrator on the date of grant.

            (b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by
the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant) and may consist entirely of (1) cash, (2)
check, (3) promissory note (subject to the provisions of Section 153 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law), (4) other Shares that (x) in the case of
Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for
more than six months on the date of surrender or such other period as may be
required to avoid a charge to the Company's earnings, and (y) have a Fair Market
Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
Shares as to which such Option shall be exercised, (5) authorization for the
Company to retain from the total number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise equal to the exercise price for the total number of Shares as to which
the Option is exercised, (6) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice
together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if
applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to
the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price and
any applicable income or employment taxes, (7) delivery of an irrevocable
subscription agreement for the Shares that irrevocably obligates the option
holder to take and pay for the Shares not more than twelve months after the date
of delivery of the subscription agreement, (8) any combination of the foregoing
methods of payment, or (9) such other consideration and method of payment for


                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8


the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws. In making
its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator
shall consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to
benefit the Company.

        10. EXERCISE OF OPTION.

            (a) PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions
as determined by the Administrator, and reflected in the written option
agreement, which may include vesting requirements and/or performance criteria
with respect to the Company and/or the Optionee.

                An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

                An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of
such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and the Company has
received full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is
exercised. Full payment may, as authorized by the Board, consist of any
consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 9(b) of the Plan.
Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock
certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any
other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock,
not withstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause
to be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the Option. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 13 of the Plan.

                Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease
in the number of Shares that thereafter may be available, both for purposes of
the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the
Option is exercised.

            (b) TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP. Subject to
Section 10(c), in the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as
an Employee or Consultant with the Company, such Optionee may, but only within
three (3) months (or such other period of time not less than thirty (30) days as
is determined by the Administrator, with such determination in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option being made at the time of grant of the Option and not
exceeding three (3) months) after the date of such termination (but in no event
later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the
Option Agreement), exercise his or her Option to the extent that the Optionee
was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that
Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of such
termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so
entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate. No
termination shall be deemed to occur and this Section 10(b) shall not apply if
(i) the Optionee is a Consultant who becomes an Employee; or (ii) the Optionee
is an Employee who becomes a Consultant.

            (c) DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. Notwithstanding Section 10(b) above, in
the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant as a


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

result of his or her total and permanent disability (within the meaning of
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within twelve (12) months
from the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration
date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise
the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it at the date of such
termination. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option
at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the
extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

            (d) DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of an Optionee
during the period of Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant since the
date of grant of the Option, or within thirty (30) days following termination of
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, the Option may be
exercised, at any time within six (6) months following the date of death (but in
no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth
in the Option Agreement), by Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the
right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent
of the right to exercise that had accrued at the date of death or, if earlier,
the date of termination of Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option
at the date of death or termination, as the case may be, or if Optionee does not
exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein,
the Option shall terminate.

            (e) RULE 16b-3. Options granted to Reporting Persons shall comply
with Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such additional conditions or restrictions as
may be required thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption for Plan
transactions.

        11. STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS.

            (a) RIGHTS TO PURCHASE. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines
that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the
offeree in writing of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the
offer, including the number of Shares that such person shall be entitled to
purchase, the price to be paid which price shall be the price determined by the
Administrator on the date of offer (which shall not be less than 100% of the
Fair Market Value of the Shares in the case of an offer to a Named Executive),
and the time within which such person must accept such offer, which shall in no
event exceed thirty (30) days from the date upon which the Administrator made
the determination to grant the Stock Purchase Right. The offer shall be accepted
by execution of a Restricted Stock purchase agreement in the form determined by
the Administrator. Shares purchased pursuant to the grant of a Stock Purchase
Right shall be referred to herein as "Restricted Stock."

            (b) REPURCHASE OPTION. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall grant the Company a
repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of
the purchaser's employment with the Company for any reason (including death or
disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall be the original purchase price paid by


                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10


the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the
purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at such rate as the
Administrator may determine.

            (c) OTHER PROVISIONS. The Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. In
addition, the provisions of Restricted Stock purchase agreements need not be the
same with respect to each purchaser.

            (d) RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a
stockholder, and shall be a stockholder when his or her purchase is entered upon
the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to
the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 13
of the Plan.

        12. STOCK WITHHOLDING TO SATISFY WITHHOLDING TAX OBLIGATIONS. At the
discretion of the Administrator, Optionees may satisfy withholding obligations
as provided in this paragraph. When an Optionee incurs tax liability in
connection with an Option or Stock Purchase Right, which tax liability is
subject to tax withholding under applicable tax laws, and the Optionee is
obligated to pay the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable
tax laws, the Optionee may satisfy the withholding tax obligation by one or some
combination of the following methods: (a) by cash payment, or (b) out of
Optionee's current compensation, (c) if permitted by the Administrator, in its
discretion, by surrendering to the Company Shares that (i) in the case of Shares
previously acquired from the Company, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a fair market value on
the date of surrender equal to or less than the applicable withholding taxes, or
(d) by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of the Option, or the Shares to be issued in connection with the Stock
Purchase Right, if any, that number of Shares having a fair market value equal
to the amount required to be withheld. For this purpose, the fair market value
of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of
tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax Date").

            Any surrender by a Reporting Person of previously owned Shares to
satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon exercise of this Option must
comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3.

            All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy tax
withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the
Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions:

            (a) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax
Date;

            (b) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the
particular Shares of the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to which the election
is made; and


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

            (c) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of
the Administrator.

            In the event the election to have Shares withheld is made by an
Optionee and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no
election is filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the Optionee shall receive
the full number of Shares with respect to which the Option or Stock Purchase
Right is exercised but such Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to
tender back to the Company the proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.

        13. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, MERGER OR CERTAIN OTHER
TRANSACTIONS.

            (a) CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION. Subject to any required action by the
stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, the number of shares of Common
Stock that have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no
Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or that have been
returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which Option
may be granted to any employee under Section 8 of the Plan, as well as the price
per share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option or Stock
Purchase Right, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease
in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split,
reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or
reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock
Purchase Right.

            (b) DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify the Optionee
at least fifteen (15) days prior to such proposed action. To the extent it has
not been previously exercised, the Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

            (c) MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS. In the event of a proposed sale of all
or substantially all of the Company's assets or a merger of the Company with or
into another corporation where the successor corporation issues its securities
to the Company's stockholders, each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right
shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right shall be substituted by such
successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation,
unless the successor corporation does not agree to assume the Option or Stock
Purchase Right or to substitute an equivalent option or right, in which case
such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon the consummation of the
merger or sale of assets.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

            (d) CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS. In the event of any distribution to the
Company's stockholders of securities of any other entity or other assets (other
than dividends payable in cash or stock of the Company) without receipt of
consideration by the Company, the Administrator may, in its discretion,
appropriately adjust the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right to reflect the effect of such
distribution.

        14. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS. Options
and Stock Purchase Rights may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated,
transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised or purchased during the lifetime of
the Optionee or Stock Purchase Rights Holder only by the Optionee or Stock
Purchase Rights Holder.

        15. TIME OF GRANTING OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS. The date of
grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall, for all purposes, be the date
on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock
Purchase Right, or such other date as is determined by the Board; provided
however that in the case of any Incentive Stock Option, the grant date shall be
the later of the date on which the Administrator makes the determination
granting such Incentive Stock Option or the date of commencement of the
Optionee's employment relationship with the Company. Notice of the determination
shall be given to each Employee or Consultant to whom an Option or Stock
Purchase Right is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant.

        16. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

            (a) AUTHORITY TO AMEND OR TERMINATE. The Board may at any time
amend, alter, suspend or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration,
suspension or discontinuation shall be made that would impair the rights of any
Optionee under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. In
addition, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 or
with Section 422 of the Code (or any other applicable law or regulation,
including the requirements of any Stock Exchange), the Company shall obtain
stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree
as required.

            (b) EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. No amendment or termination
of the Plan shall adversely affect Options already granted, unless mutually
agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Board, which agreement must be in
writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.

        17. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the
exercise of such Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of
such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law,
including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the
requirements of any Stock Exchange. As a condition to the exercise of an Option,
the Company may require the person exercising such Option to represent and
warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased
only for investment and without any present intention to sell or dis-


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

tribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such
representation is required by law.

        18. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. The inability of the Company
to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which
authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any
liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

        19. AGREEMENTS. Options and Stock Purchase Rights shall be evidenced by
written agreements in such form as the Administrator shall approve from time to
time.

        20. STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is adopted. Such stockholder approval shall be obtained
in the degree and manner required under applicable state and federal law and the
rules of any Stock Exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed. All Options
and Stock Purchase Rights issued under the Plan shall become void in the event
such approval is not obtained.

        21. INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS TO OPTIONEES AND PURCHASERS. The time of
issuance of any securities under the Plan, the Company shall provide to the
Optionee or the Purchaser a copy of the Plan and any agreement(s) pursuant to
which securities under the Plan are issued.


                                      -13-


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission