EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of December 17, 2024 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) and Amy Quinlan (the “Executive”).
1
Exhibit 10.1
This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of December 17, 2024 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) and Amy Quinlan (the “Executive”).
- -
as an incentive for the Executive to remain employed with the Company. Both parties acknowledge and agree that any bonus is not intended and shall not be deemed a “wage” under any state or federal wage-hour law.
Each of the Option Award and the RSU Award will be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable equity award agreement between the Executive and the Company (collectively, the “Equity Documents”).
2
- -
withholdings (the “Signing Bonus”). The Signing Bonus shall be payable in the Company’s first regular payroll cycle following the Commencement Date. If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause (as defined below) or the Executive resigns without Good Reason (as defined below) prior to the second anniversary of the Commencement Date, the Executive will, within thirty (30) days following the Executive’s last day of employment, be obligated to repay the gross amount of the Signing Bonus paid to the Executive based on the following schedule: one hundred percent (100%) of the Signing Bonus if the Executive’s separation occurs within twelve (12) months following the Commencement Date, and fifty percent (50%) of the Signing Bonus if the Executive’s separation occurs between twelve (12) and twenty-four (24) months following the Commencement Date.
(ii) any conduct by the Executive that would reasonably be expected to result in material injury or reputational harm to the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates if the Executive were retained in the Executive’s position but, provided that if the Company reasonably determines that such conduct is capable of being cured, only after receipt of written notice by the Company reasonably describing such conduct and if the Executive fails to cease and cure such conduct within fifteen (15) days of receipt of said written notice; (iii) continued non-performance by the Executive of the Executive’s responsibilities hereunder (other than by reason of the Executive’s physical or mental illness, incapacity or disability) but, provided that if the Company reasonably determines that such conduct is capable of being cured, only after receipt of written notice by the Company reasonably describing such non-performance and the Executive’s failure to cure such non-performance within fifteen (15) days of receipt of said written notice; (iv) a breach by the Executive of any confidentiality or restrictive covenant obligations to the Company, including under the Confidentiality Agreement; (v) a material violation by the Executive of any of the Company’s written employment policies communicated to the Executive; (vi) a material misrepresentation made by the Executive in the scope of or concerning the Executive’s employment with the Company, including, without limitation, a misrepresentation with respect to the absence of any obligation to any former employer or any other person or entity that would or does prevent, limit, or impair in any way the performance of the Executive’s duties to the Company; (vii) a finding or a decision by regulatory or law enforcement authorities of a material violation of any law or regulation that would or does prevent, limit, or impair in any way the performance of the Executive’s duties to the Company or the scope of his employment with the Company; or (viii) failure to cooperate with a bona fide internal investigation or an investigation
3
- -
by regulatory or law enforcement authorities as provided under Section 13 of this Agreement, after being instructed by the Company to cooperate, or the willful destruction or failure to preserve documents or other materials known to be relevant to such investigation or the inducement of others to fail to cooperate or to produce documents or other materials in connection with such investigation.
§12101 et seq.
4
- -
(iv) any termination of this Agreement prior to the Commencement Date by either party for any reason.
5
- -
activity no greater than that described in the Confidentiality Agreement (the “Separation Agreement and Release”), and the Separation Agreement and Release becoming irrevocable (the date such Separation Agreement and Release becomes irrevocable, the “Release Effective Date”), all within sixty (60) days after the Date of Termination or by an earlier date as determined by the Company, the following shall occur:
(6) months following the Date of Termination, the Executive will so inform the Company in writing within five (5) business days of obtaining such coverage. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event that the Company’s payment of the amounts described in Section 6(c) would subject the Company to any tax or penalty under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (as amended from time to time, the “ACA”) or Section 105(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 105(h)”), or applicable regulations or guidance issued under the ACA or Section 105(h), the Executive and the Company agree to work together in good faith to restructure such benefit; and
For avoidance of doubt, the Separation Agreement and Release for purposes of this Agreement shall not require a waiver of any rights under the indemnification agreement between the Company and the Executive or any rights described in Section 5 above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive’s employment is terminated in connection with a Sale Event and the Executive immediately becomes reemployed by any direct or indirect successor to the business or assets of the Company, the termination of the Executive’s employment upon the Sale Event shall not be considered a termination without Cause for purposes of this Agreement.
6
- -
The amounts payable under Sections 6(a) and 6(b) shall be paid out in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice over six (6) months commencing within sixty (60) days after the Date of Termination (but no sooner than the Release Effective Date); provided, however, that if the sixty (60) day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, the severance shall be paid or shall begin to be paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such sixty (60) day period. Each payment pursuant to this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).
The amounts payable under Section 7(a) and 7(b) shall be paid out in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice over six (6) months commencing within sixty (60) days after the Date of Termination (but no sooner than the Release Effective Date); provided, however, that if the sixty (60) day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, the severance shall begin to be paid in the second calendar year by the last day of such sixty (60) day period. Each payment pursuant to this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).
7
- -
(ii) cash payments subject to Section 409A of the Code; (iii) equity-based payments and acceleration; and (iv) non-cash forms of benefits; provided that in the case of all the foregoing Aggregate Payments all amounts or payments that are not subject to calculation under Treas. Reg.
§1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c) shall be reduced before any amounts that are subject to calculation under Treas. Reg. §1.280G-1, Q&A-24(b) or (c).
8
- -
maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.
The determination as to whether a reduction in the Aggregate Payments shall be made pursuant to this Section shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company prior to the Sale Event (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the Date of Termination, if applicable, or at such earlier time as is reasonably requested by the Company or the Executive. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.
9
- -
determination of whether and when a separation from service has occurred shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).
10
- -
The Company shall reasonably compensate the Executive for the time dedicated to, and shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with, the Executive’s performance of the obligations set forth in this Section; provided, however, that the Company will not pay the Executive any fee or amount for time spent providing testimony in any arbitration, trial, administrative hearing or other proceeding.
11
- -
the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in connection with any Dispute or any claim related to any Dispute and agree that any claims or legal action shall be commenced and maintained solely in a state or federal court located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
12
transfer. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company’s assigns, successors, acquirers and transferees.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective on the Effective Date.
|
|
|
|
VOYAGER THERAPEUTICS, INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Alfred Sandrock, M.D., Ph.D |
|
|
Alfred Sandrock, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
|
President & Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
Date: |
December 17, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
EXECUTIVE: |
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Amy Quinlan |
|
|
|
|
Date: |
December 17, 2024 |