As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 15, 1998
Registration No. 333-
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
LYNX THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 94-3161073
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
--------------------
3832 Bay Center Place
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 670-9300
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OPTIONS GRANTED UNDER THE
1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
Sam Eletr, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Lynx Therapeutics, Inc.
3832 Bay Center Place
Hayward, California 94545
(510) 670-9300
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
--------------------
Copies to:
James C. Kitch, Esq.
COOLEY GODWARD LLP
Five Palo Alto Square
3000 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, California 94306
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<TABLE>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
Title of Securities Amount to be Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum Amount of
to be Registered Registered Offering Price Per Share Aggregate Offering Price Registration Fee
(1) (1)
====================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Stock Options and Common Stock 600,000 $8.8125 $5,287,500 $1,559.81
(par value $.01)
====================================================================================================================================
<FN>
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The offering price per share and aggregate offering price are based upon the
average of the high and low prices of Registrant's Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market System on
July 14, 1998.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed for the purpose
of registering an additional 600,000 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock to
be issued pursuant to the Registrant's 1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the
"Plan"). The Registration Statement on Form S-8 previously filed with the
Commission relating to the Plan (File No. 333-86634) is incorporated by
reference herein.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
5.1 Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
23.2 Consent of Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to
this Registration Statement
24.1 Power of Attorney is contained on the signature page.
99.1 1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended
2.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Hayward, State of California, on July 15, 1998.
LYNX THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By: /s/ Sam Eletr, Ph.D.
-------------------------------------------
Sam Eletr, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of Directors
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Sam Eletr and James C. Kitch, and each or
any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their
or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
<TABLE>
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ SAM ELETR Chief Executive Officer and July 15, 1998
- ----------------------------------- Chairman of the Board
Sam Eletr, Ph.D. (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ CRAIG C. TAYLOR Director July 15, 1998
- -----------------------------------
Craig C. Taylor
/s/ WILLIAM K. BOWES, JR. Director July 15, 1998
- -----------------------------------
William K. Bowes, Jr.
/s/ SYDNEY BRENNER Director July 15, 1998
- -----------------------------------
Sydney Brenner
3.
<PAGE>
/s/ JAMES C. KITCH Director July 15, 1998
- -----------------------------------
James C. Kitch
/s/ KATHLEEN D. LA PORTE Director July 15, 1998
- -----------------------------------
Kathleen D. La Porte
</TABLE>
4.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description
Number
5.1 Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP 6
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors 7
23.2 Consent of Cooley Godward LLP is contained in
Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement 6
24.1 Power of Attorney is contained on the signature page 3
99.1 1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended 8
5.
Exhibit 5.1
[Cooley Godward Letterhead]
July 15, 1998
Lynx Therapeutics, Inc.
3832 Bay Center Place
Hayward, California 94545
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection
with the filing by Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") of a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission covering the offering of an aggregate of 600,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Shares"), pursuant to the
Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").
In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement and
related Prospectus, your Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other
instruments as we deem necessary as a basis for this opinion. We have assumed
the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals,
the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof,
and the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and
delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof.
On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion
that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Plan, the
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully
paid, and nonassessable (except as to shares issued pursuant to certain deferred
payment arrangements, which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such
deferred payments are made in full).
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
Very truly yours,
Cooley Godward LLP
By: /s/ JAMES C. KITCH
---------------------
James C. Kitch
6.
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) pertaining to the 1992 Stock Option Plan of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. of our
report dated January 30, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
---------------------
Palo Alto, California
July 13, 1998
7.
Exhibit 99.1
1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
8.
<PAGE>
LYNX THERAPEUTICS, INC.
1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Adopted July 1, 1992
Amended February 26, 1998
Approved by the Stockholders May 18, 1998
1. PURPOSES.
(a) The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means by which selected
Employees of and Consultants to the Company, and its Affiliates, may be given an
opportunity to purchase stock of the Company.
(b) The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of
persons who are now Employees of or Consultants to the Company, to secure and
retain the services of new Employees and Consultants, and to provide incentives
for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company.
(c) The Company intends that the Options issued under the Plan shall,
in the discretion of the Board or any Committee to which responsibility for
administration of the Plan has been delegated pursuant to subsection 3(c), be
either Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options. All Options shall
be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options
at the time of grant, and in such form as issued pursuant to section 6, and a
separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares purchased on
exercise of each type of Option.
2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) "Affiliate" means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation,
whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e)
and (f) respectively, of the Code.
(b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d) "Committee" means a Committee appointed by the Board in accordance
with subsection 3(c) of the Plan.
(e) "Company" means Lynx Therapeutics Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(f) "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the
Company or an Affiliate to render services and who is compensated for such
services, provided that the term "Consultant" shall not include Directors who
are paid only a director's fee by the Company or who are not compensated by the
Company for their services as Directors.
(g) "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant" means the
employment or relationship as a Consultant is not interrupted or terminated by
the Company or any Affiliate. The Board, in its sole discretion, may determine
whether Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall be considered
interrupted in the case of: (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board,
including sick leave, military leave, or any other personal leave; provided,
however, that for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any such leave may not
exceed ninety (90) days, unless re-employment upon the expiration of such leave
is guaranteed by contract (including certain Company policies) or statute; or
(ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company,
Affiliates or its successor.
(h) "Covered Employee" means the chief executive officer and the four
(4) other highest compensated officers of the Company for whom total
compensation is required to be reported to stockholders under the Exchange Act,
as determined for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(i) "Director" means a member of the Board.
<PAGE>
(j) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(k) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company. Neither service as a
Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to
constitute "employment" by the Company.
(l) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(m) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of the common
stock of the Company 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 System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotation ("Nasdaq") System, the Fair Market Value of a share of common stock
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 last market trading day prior
to the day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Board deems reliable;
(ii) If the common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq System (but
not on the National Market System thereof) or is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair
Market Value of a share of common stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and high asked prices for the common stock on the last market trading day prior
to the day of determination, as reported in the Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Board deems reliable;
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the common
stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
(n) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.
(o) "Non-Employee Director" means a Director of the Company who either
(i) is not a current Employee or Officer of the Company or its parent or a
subsidiary, does not receive compensation (directly or indirectly) from the
Company or its parent or a subsidiary for services rendered as a consultant or
in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which
disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated
pursuant to the Securities Act ("Regulation S-K")), does not possess an interest
in any other transaction as to which disclosure would be required under Item
404(a) of Regulation S-K and is not engaged in a business relationship as to
which disclosure would be required under Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii)
is otherwise considered a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(p) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option.
(q) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company within
the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(r) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(s) "Option Agreement" means a written agreement between the Company
and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option
grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(t) "Optioned Stock" means the common stock of the Company subject to
an Option.
(u) "Optionee" means an Employee or Consultant who holds an outstanding
Option.
(v) "Outside Director" means a Director of the Company who either (i)
is not a current employee of the Company or an "affiliated corporation" (within
the meaning of Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section
<PAGE>
162(m) of the Code), is not a former employee of the Company or an "affiliated
corporation" receiving compensation for prior services (other than benefits
under a tax qualified pension plan), was not an officer of the Company or an
"affiliated corporation" at any time and is not currently receiving direct or
indirect remuneration from the Company or an "affiliated corporation" for
services in any capacity other than as a Director or (ii) is otherwise
considered an "outside director" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(w) "Plan" means this 1992 Stock Option Plan.
(x) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor
to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to
the Plan.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Board unless and until the
Board delegates administration to a Committee, as provided in subsection 3(c).
(b) The Board shall have the power, subject to, and within the
limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine from time to time which of the persons
eligible under the Plan shall be granted Options; when and how the Option shall
be granted; whether the Option will be an Incentive Stock Option or a
Nonstatutory Stock Option; the provisions of each Option granted (which need not
be identical), including the time or times such Option may be exercised in whole
or in part; and the number of shares for which an Option shall be granted to
each such person.
(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Options granted
under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its
administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any
defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Option Agreement, in a
manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan
fully effective.
(iii) To amend the Plan as provided in Section 11.
(c) Delegation to Committee.
(i) General. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan
to a Committee or Committees of one or more members of the Board, and the term
"Committee" shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has been
delegated. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall
have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore
possessed by the Board, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of
the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and
references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or
subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The
Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the
administration of the Plan.
(ii) Committee Composition when Common Stock is Publicly
Traded. At such time as the common stock of the Company is publicly traded, in
the discretion of the Board, a Committee may consist solely of two or more
Outside Directors, in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, and/or solely
of two or more Non-Employee Directors, in accordance with Rule 16b-3. Within the
scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may (i) delegate to a
committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Outside Directors, the
authority to grant Options to eligible persons who are either (a) not then
Covered Employees and are not expected to be Covered Employees at the time of
recognition of income resulting from such Option or (b) not persons with respect
to whom the Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code and/or (ii)
delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not
Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Options to eligible persons who
are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
<PAGE>
4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 10 relating to adjustments
upon changes in stock, the stock that may be sold pursuant to Options shall not
exceed in the aggregate Four Million (4,000,000) shares of the Company's common
stock less any shares of the Company's common stock remaining outstanding which
were originally issued to employees, officers or directors of, or consultants
to, the Company pursuant to stock purchase agreements or similar compensatory
arrangements approved by the Company's Board of Directors. If any Option shall
for any reason expire or otherwise terminate without having been exercised in
full, the stock not purchased under such Option shall again become available for
the Plan.
(b) The stock subject to the Plan may be unissued shares or reacquired
shares, bought on the market or otherwise.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.
Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted only to Employees or Consultants.
(b) No person shall be eligible for the grant of an Option if, at the
time of grant, such person owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d)
of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates
unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one hundred ten percent
(110%) of the Fair Market Value of such stock at the date of grant and the
Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date
of grant.
(c) Section 162(m) Limitation. Subject to the provisions of Section 10
relating to adjustments upon changes in stock, no employee shall be eligible to
be granted Options covering more than Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of
the common stock of the Company during any calendar year.
6. OPTION PROVISIONS.
Each Option shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and
conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. The provisions of separate
Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through
incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the
substance of each of the following provisions:
(a) Term. No Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten
(10) years from the date it was granted.
(b) Price. The exercise price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be
not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of the stock
subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted. The exercise price of
each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not less than eighty-five percent (85%)
of the fair market value of the stock subject to the Option on the date the
Option is granted.
(c) Consideration. The purchase price of stock acquired pursuant to an
Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and
regulations, either (i) in cash at the time the option is exercised, or (ii) at
the discretion of the Board or the Committee, either at the time of the grant or
exercise of the Option, (A) by delivery to the Company of other common stock of
the Company, (B) according to a deferred payment or other arrangement (which may
include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of other
common stock of the Company) with the person to whom the Option is granted or to
whom the Option is transferred pursuant to subsection 6(d), or (c) in any other
form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board.
In the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be
payable at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of interest
necessary to avoid the treatment as interest, under any applicable provisions of
the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest under the
deferred payment arrangement.
(d) Transferability. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be
transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall
be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee.
<PAGE>
A Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be transferable to the extent provided in the
Option Agreement. If the Nonstatutory Stock Option does not provide for
transferability, then the Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable
except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be
exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee.
(e) Vesting. The total number of shares of stock subject to an Option
may, but need not, be allotted in periodic installments (which may, but need
not, be equal). The Option Agreement may provide that from time to time during
each of such installment periods, the Option may become exercisable ("vest")
with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to that period, and may be
exercised with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to such period
and/or any prior period as to which the Option became vested but was not fully
exercised. During the remainder of the term of the Option (if its term extends
beyond the end of the installment periods), the option may be exercised from
time to time with respect to any shares then remaining subject to the Option.
The provisions of this subsection 6(e) are subject to any Option provisions
governing the minimum number of shares as to which an Option may be exercised.
(f) Securities Law Compliance. The Company may require any Optionee, or
any person to whom an Option is transferred under subsection 6(d), as a
condition of exercising any such Option, (1) to give written assurances
satisfactory to the Company as to the Optionee's knowledge and experience in
financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative
reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in
financial and business matters, and that he or she is capable of evaluating,
alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of
exercising the Option; and (2) to give written assurances satisfactory to the
Company stating that such person is acquiring the stock subject to the Option
for such person's own account and not with any present intention of selling or
otherwise distributing the stock. These requirements, and any assurances given
pursuant to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (i) the issuance of the
shares upon the exercise of the Option has been registered under a then
currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), or (ii) as to any particular requirement, a
determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not
be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws.
(g) Termination of Employment or Relationship as a Consultant. In the
event an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates
(other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability), the Optionee may exercise
his or her Option, but only within such period of time as is determined by the
Board, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it at
the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term
of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the case of an
Incentive Stock Option, the Board shall determine such period of time (in no
event to exceed three (3) months from the date of termination) when the Option
is granted. If, at the date of termination, the Optionee is not entitled to
exercise his or her entire Option, the shares covered by the unexercisable
portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the
Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the
Option Agreement, the Option shall terminate, and the shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.
(h) Disability of Optionee. In the event an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates as a result of the Optionee's
Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option, but only within twelve
(12) months from the date of such termination (or such shorter period specified
in the Option Agreement), and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled
to exercise it at the date of such termination (but in no event later than the
expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). If,
at the date of termination, the Optionee is not entitled to exercise his or her
entire Option, the shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option
shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise
his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate,
and the shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(i) Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee, the
Option may be exercised, at any time within twelve (12) months following the
date of death (or such shorter period specified in the Option Agreement) (but in
no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in
the Option Agreement), by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the
right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent
the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of death. If, at
the time of death, the Optionee was not entitled to exercise his or her entire
Option, the shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall
revert to the Plan. If, after death, the Optionee's estate or a person who
<PAGE>
acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance does not
exercise the Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(j) Early Exercise. The Option may, but need not, include a provision
whereby the Optionee may elect at any time while an Employee or Consultant to
exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares subject to the Option
prior to the full vesting of the Option. Any unvested shares so purchased may be
subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or to any other
restriction the Board determines to be appropriate.
(k) Withholding. To the extent provided by the terms of an Option
Agreement, the Optionee may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding
obligation relating to the exercise of such Option by any of the following means
or by a combination of such means: (1) tendering a cash payment; (2) authorizing
the Company to withhold shares from the shares of the common stock otherwise
issuable to the participant as a result of the exercise of the Option; or (3)
delivering to the Company owned and unencumbered shares of the common stock of
the Company.
7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
(a) During the terms of the Options, the Company shall keep available
at all times the number of shares of stock required to satisfy such Options.
(b) The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or
agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to
issue and sell shares of stock upon exercise of the Options; provided, however,
that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the
Securities Act either the Plan, any Option or any stock issued or issuable
pursuant to any such Option. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable
to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which
counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of
stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for
failure to issue and sell stock upon exercise of such Options unless and until
such authority is obtained.
8. USE OF PROCEEDS FROM STOCK.
Proceeds from the sale of stock pursuant to Options shall constitute
general funds of the Company.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Neither an Optionee nor any person to whom an Option is transferred
under subsection 6(d) shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the
rights of a holder with respect to, any shares subject to such Option unless and
until such person has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Option
pursuant to its terms.
(b) Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Option granted
pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Employee, Consultant or Optionee any
right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate (or to continue
acting as a Consultant) or shall affect the right of the Company or any
Affiliate to terminate the employment or relationship as a Consultant of any
Employee, Consultant or Optionee with or without cause.
(c) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at
the time of grant) of stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options
granted after 1986 are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any
calendar year under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates exceeds one
hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Options or portions thereof which
exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be
treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.
10. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK.
(a) If any change is made in the stock subject to the Plan or subject
to any Option without the receipt of consideration by the Company (through
merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock
dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock split, liquidating
dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate
structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of consideration by the
Company), the Plan will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and maximum
number of securities subject to
<PAGE>
the Plan pursuant to subsection 4(a) and the maximum number of securities
subject to award to any person pursuant to subsection 5(c), and outstanding
Options will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and number of securities
and price per share of stock subject to such outstanding Options. Such
adjustments shall be made by the Board, the determination of which shall be
final, binding and conclusive. (The conversion of any convertible securities of
the Company shall not be treated as a transaction "without receipt of
consideration" by the Company.)
(b) In the event of: (1) a merger or consolidation in which the Company
is not the surviving corporation or (2) a reverse merger in which the Company is
the surviving corporation but the shares of the Company's common stock
outstanding immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the
merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise
then to the extent permitted by applicable law: (i) any surviving corporation
shall assume any Options outstanding under the Plan or shall substitute similar
Options for those outstanding under the Plan, or (ii) such Options shall
continue in full force and effect. In the event any surviving corporation
refuses to assume or continue such Options, or to substitute similar options for
those outstanding under the Plan, then such Options shall be terminated if not
exercised prior to such event. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of
the Company, any Options outstanding under the Plan shall terminate if not
exercised prior to such event.
11. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN.
(a) The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend the Plan.
However, except as provided in Section 10 relating to adjustments upon changes
in stock, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the stockholders of
the Company within twelve (12) months before or after the adoption of the
amendment, to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to satisfy the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code, Rule 16b-3 or any Nasdaq or securities
exchange listing requirements.
(b) The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any other amendment
to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments
to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code
and the regulations thereunder regarding the exclusion of performance-based
compensation from the limit on corporate deductibility of compensation paid to
certain executive officers.
(c) It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in
any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide Optionees with the
maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options
and/or to bring the Plan and/or Incentive Stock Options granted under it into
compliance therewith.
(d) Rights and obligations under any Option granted before amendment of
the Plan shall not be altered or impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless
(i) the Company requests the consent of the person to whom the Option was
granted and (ii) such person consents in writing.
12. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
(a) The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless
sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on March 11, 2006. No Options may be
granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
(b) Rights and obligations under any Option granted while the Plan is
in effect shall not be altered or impaired by suspension or termination of the
Plan, except with the consent of the person to whom the Option was granted.
13. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
The Plan shall become effective as determined by the Board, but no
Options granted under the Plan shall be exercised unless and until the Plan has
been approved by the stockholders of the Company, and, if required, an
appropriate permit has been issued by the Commissioner of Corporations of the
State of California.
