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Form S-8

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 2006

Registration No. 333-            

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

TARGACEPT, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

DELAWARE   56-2020050

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

200 East First Street, Suite 300

Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

 

TARGACEPT, INC.

2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

(Full Title of the Plan)

 

J. Donald deBethizy

Chief Executive Officer

Targacept, Inc.

200 East First Street, Suite 300

Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101

(336) 480-2100

(Name, Address and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Securities To Be Registered   

Amount

To Be
Registered

   

Proposed
Maximum
Offering

Price

Per Share (1)

   

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering

Price (1)

   

Amount of

Registration

Fee (1)

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

    4,329,918 shares    $ 7.405    $ 32,063,043    $ 3,431

 

(1) Pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h)(1), based on the average ($7.405) of the high ($7.51) and low ($7.30) prices of the Registrant’s Common Stock on May 2, 2006, as reported on the NASDAQ National Market.

 

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents filed by Targacept, Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) are incorporated herein by reference:

(a) The Company’s prospectus dated April 11, 2006, containing audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the Commission on April 12, 2006;

(b) The description of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, contained in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on April 6, 2006, with respect to such Common Stock, including any subsequent amendment or report filed for the purposes of updating such description; and

(c) All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), since the end of the fiscal year referred to in (a) above.

All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as may be amended and in effect from time to time, the “Certificate”) provides that our directors shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, for payment of dividends or approval of stock purchases or redemptions that are prohibited by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the “DGCL”), or for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Under the DGCL, our directors have a fiduciary duty to us that is not eliminated by this provision of the Certificate and, in appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief will remain available. This provision also does not affect our directors’ responsibilities under any other laws, such as federal securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties by reason of the fact that they were or are directors or officers of the corporation, if they acted in good faith, in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful. The DGCL provides further that the indemnification permitted thereunder shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the directors and officers may be entitled under the corporation’s bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or otherwise. The Certificate provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, we shall indemnify any person who is or was a director or officer of us, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by Section 145 of the DGCL. Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify any person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of us or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. In addition, we have

 

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entered into agreements with our directors and officers under which, among other things, we have agreed to indemnify them against expenses incurred in any proceeding, including any action by us, in which any such person was, is or is threatened to be made a party or a participant by reason of such person’s status as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of us or, at our request, any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any director or officer as to which indemnification will be required or permitted under the Certificate and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for such indemnification.

Section 145 of the DGCL also empowers a corporation to purchase insurance for its officers and directors for such liabilities. We maintain liability insurance for our officers and directors.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed as a part of this Registration Statement:

 

Exhibit No.  

Description

4.1   Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
4.2   Bylaws of the Company, as amended and restated effective April 18, 2006.
4.3   Specimen Certificate of Common Stock, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-131050), filed with the Commission on March 16, 2006.
4.4(a)   Third Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated May 12, 2004, by and among the Company and certain stockholders of the Company, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(a) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-131050), filed with the Commission on January 17, 2006.
4.4(b)   Amendment No. 1, dated December 6, 2004, to Third Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated May 12, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(b) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-131050), filed with the Commission on January 17, 2006.
4.4(c)   Amendment No. 2, dated March 16, 2006, to Third Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated May 12, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(c) to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-131050), filed with the Commission on March 24, 2006.
5   Opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, counsel to the Company.
23.1   Consent of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, counsel to the Company (included in Exhibit 5).
23.2   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
24   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
99   Targacept, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

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Item 9. Undertakings.

 

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”);

 

  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement;

 

  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

 

  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(b) The Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Company’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

THE REGISTRANT

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Targacept, Inc. 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 Winston-Salem, State of North Carolina, on this 8th day of May, 2006.

 

TARGACEPT, INC.
By:  

/s/ J. Donald deBethizy

  J. Donald deBethizy
  Chief Executive Officer and President

Each person whose signature appears below hereby nominates, constitutes and appoints J. Donald deBethizy and Alan A. Musso, or either of them severally, as his or her lawful attorney-in-fact, each with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign this registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) and any and all amendments to the Registration Statement (including post-effective amendments) relating to the issuance of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, pursuant to the Targacept, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact or his or her substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 8, 2006.

 

/s/ J. Donald deBethizy

    

/s/ Alan A. Musso

Name:    J. Donald deBethizy     Name:   Alan A. Musso
Title:    Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (Principal Executive Officer)     Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Mark Skaletsky

    

/s/ M. James Barrett

Name:    Mark Skaletsky     Name:   M. James Barrett
Title:    Chairman of the Board of Directors     Title:   Director

/s/ Charles A. Blixt

    

/s/ Errol B. De Souza

Name:    Charles A. Blixt     Name:   Errol B. De Souza
Title:    Director     Title:   Director

/s/ Ann F. Hanham

    

/s/ Elaine V. Jones

Name:    Ann F. Hanham     Name:   Elaine V. Jones
Title:    Director     Title:   Director

/s/ John P. Richard

      
Name:    John P. Richard      
Title:    Director      

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

to

Registration Statement on Form S-8 of

Targacept, Inc.

 

Exhibit No.  

Description

4.1   Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
4.2   Bylaws of the Company, as amended and restated effective April 18, 2006.
4.3   Specimen Certificate of Common Stock, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-131050), filed with the Commission on March 16, 2006.
4.4(a)   Third Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated May 12, 2004, by and among the Company and certain stockholders of the Company, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(a) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-131050), filed with the Commission on January 17, 2006.
4.4(b)   Amendment No. 1, dated December 6, 2004, to Third Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated May 12, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(b) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-131050), filed with the Commission on January 17, 2006.
4.4(c)   Amendment No. 2, dated March 16, 2006, to Third Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated May 12, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(c) to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-131050), filed with the Commission on March 24, 2006.
5   Opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, counsel to the Company.
23.1   Consent of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, counsel to the Company (included in Exhibit 5).
23.2   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
24   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
99   Targacept, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.
Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

EXHIBIT 4.1

 

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

TARGACEPT, INC.

 

Pursuant to Section 242 and Section 245 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the undersigned corporation hereby submits the following for the purpose of amending and restating its Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and does hereby certify as follows.

 

1. The name of the corporation is Targacept, Inc. The corporation’s original Certificate of Incorporation was filed on March 7, 1997.

 

2. The corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as set forth in the text of the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

3. This Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 245(c), 242 and 228 of the DGCL and will be effective upon filing.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said Targacept, Inc. has caused this Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer, this 18 day of April 2006.

 

TARGACEPT, INC.

 

By:   /s/ J. Donald deBethizy                    

        J. Donald deBethizy

        President and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT A

 

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF TARGACEPT, INC.

 

FIRST: The name of the corporation (hereinafter called the “corporation”) is Targacept, Inc.

 

SECOND: The address, including street, number, city and county of the registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware, is 2711 Centreville Road, Suite 400, City of Wilmington 19808, County of New Castle; and the name of the registered agent of the corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporation Service Company.

 

THIRD: The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended.

 

FOURTH:

 

  1.   The total number of shares that the corporation is authorized to issue is One Hundred Five Million (105,000,000), of which: (1) One Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares shall be designated as Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Common Stock”); and (2) Five Million (5,000,000) shares shall be designated as Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”).

 

  2.   The board of directors of the corporation (the “Board”) is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series, but not below the number or shares of such series then outstanding, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences, relative, participating optional or other special rights, and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the shares of each such series. In case the number of shares of any series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

 

  3.  

Each outstanding share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the corporation for a vote; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) to this certificate of incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this certificate of

 

2

incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock).

 

FIFTH: The corporation is to have perpetual existence.

 

SIXTH: For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the corporation, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the corporation and of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, it is further provided:

 

  1.   The business and the conduct of the affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board.

 

  2.   Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation and may not be effected by any written consent by such stockholders.

 

  3.   Special meetings of stockholders of the corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders is specifically denied. Only such business as shall have been stated in the notice of a special meeting of stockholders shall be considered at such special meeting. For purposes of this certificate of incorporation, the “Whole Board” shall mean the total number of directors then fixed in accordance with this certificate of incorporation, whether or not there are any vacancies.

 

SEVENTH:

 

  1.  

Subject to any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board. The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock under specified circumstances, shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of the Board upon the effectiveness of this certificate of incorporation, with the term of office of the second class to expire at the corporation’s second annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of the Board upon the effectiveness of this certificate of incorporation and with the term of office of the third class to expire at the corporation’s third annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of the Board upon the effectiveness of this certificate of incorporation, and thereafter for each such term to expire at each third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after such election and with each director to hold office until

 

3

his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, with each director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her death, retirement, resignation or removal.

 

  2.   Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board resulting from death, retirement, resignation, removal from office or other cause may be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders. In the event of any increase or decrease in the authorized number of directors, (a) each director then serving as such shall nevertheless continue as a director of the class of which he or she is a member until the expiration of his or her current term or his or her prior death, retirement, resignation or removal and (b) the newly created or eliminated directorships resulting from such increase or decrease shall if reasonably possible be apportioned by the Board among the three classes of directors so as to ensure that no one class has more than one director more than any other class. To the extent reasonably possible, consistent with the foregoing rule, any newly created directorships shall be added to those classes whose terms of office are to expire at the latest dates following such allocation and newly eliminated directorships shall be subtracted from those classes whose terms of office are to expire at the earliest dates following such allocation, unless otherwise provided for from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum. In the event of a vacancy in the Board, the remaining directors, except as otherwise provided by law or this certificate of incorporation, may exercise the powers of the full Board until the vacancy is filled. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

  3.   No election of directors need be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the corporation so provide.

 

  4.   No stockholder will be permitted to cumulate votes at any election of directors.

 

  5.   Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the corporation.

 

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  6.   Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and except as otherwise provided in this certificate of incorporation or required by law, any director, or all of the directors, may be removed from the Board with or without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the aggregate voting power of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

EIGHTH: The power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation may be exercised by the Board. The stockholders shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or this certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the aggregate voting power of the then-outstanding voting shares of voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to adopt, amend or repeal all or any portion of Sections 13 or 14 of Article II, Section 2 of Article III, Article VIII and Section 6 of Article IX of the Bylaws.

 

NINTH: A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the General Corporation Law of Delaware is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware as so amended. Neither any amendment, repeal or modification of this article nor the adoption of any provision of this certificate of incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation inconsistent with this article shall adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption.

 

TENTH: The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities, or other matters referred to in or covered by said section, and the indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which such persons may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person. In addition, the corporation may, to the extent

 

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authorized from time to time by the Board, grant indemnification rights to other employees or agents of the corporation or other persons serving the corporation and such rights may be equivalent to, or greater or less than, those indemnification rights of directors and officers set forth in this article or the Bylaws. Neither any amendment, repeal or modification of this article nor the adoption of any provision of this certificate of incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation inconsistent with this article shall adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of the corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption.

 

ELEVENTH: From time to time any of the provisions of this certificate of incorporation may be amended, altered or repealed and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted in the manner and at the time prescribed by said laws; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of this certificate of incorporation, or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of the stock of this corporation required by law or by this certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend or repeal Article SIXTH, Article SEVENTH, Article EIGHTH, Article NINTH, Article TENTH or this Article ELEVENTH. All rights conferred upon stockholders of the corporation by this certificate of incorporation are granted subject to the provisions of this Article ELEVENTH.

 

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By-Laws of the Company

EXHIBIT 4.2

 

 

 

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

TARGACEPT, INC.

 

(as amended and restated March 15, 2006,

effective upon completion of Targacept’s initial public offering)

BYLAWS

OF

TARGACEPT, INC.

 

ARTICLE I

 

Offices

 

Section 1. Principal and Registered Offices. The principal office of the Corporation shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors (the “Board”) may specify from time to time. The registered office of the Corporation shall be located at such place as set forth in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as may be amended or restated and in effect from time to time (the “Charter”).

 

Section 2. Other Offices. The Corporation may have offices at such other places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Meetings of Stockholders

 

Section 1. Place of Meeting. Meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place or places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 2. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the date and at the time fixed, from time to time, by the Board.

 

Section 3. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise provided in the Charter, and subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or by the Board acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board. For purposes of these Bylaws, the “Whole Board” shall mean the total number of directors then fixed in accordance with the Charter, whether or not there are any vacancies. Only such business as shall have been stated in the notice of a special meeting of stockholders shall be considered at such special meeting.

 

Section 4. Cancellation of Meetings. Any previously scheduled meeting of stockholders may be postponed, and, unless the Charter provides otherwise, any special meeting of the stockholders may be cancelled by resolution duly adopted by a majority of the directors then in office upon public notice given prior to the date previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders.

 

Section 5. Notice of Meetings. Written or printed notice shall be given not less than ten (10) or more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, to each

 

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stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting by delivering a written notice thereof to such stockholder personally or by depositing such notice in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to such stockholder at his last address as it appears on the stock records of the Corporation. The notice shall state the time and place of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting (if authorized by the Board in its sole discretion pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, as may be amended from time to time the “DGCL”) and, in the case of a special meeting, briefly describing the purpose or purposes of the meeting. It shall be the primary responsibility of the Secretary to give the notice, but notice may be given by or at the direction of the President or other person or persons calling the meeting. Notice of any adjourned meeting of the stockholders shall not be required to be given, except where expressly required by law.

 

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the Charter or these Bylaws to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given.

 

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the Charter or these Bylaws to any stockholder to whom (a) notice of two (2) consecutive annual meetings or (b) all, and at least two (2) payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a twelve (12) month period, have been mailed addressed to such person at such person’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required. Any actions or meeting taken or held without notice to such person shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such person shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such person’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such person shall be reinstated. The exception to the requirement that notice be given set forth in clause (a) above shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.

 

Section 6. Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the Charter or these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice, or any waiver by electronic transmission, unless so required by the Charter.

 

Section 7. Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy may be granted in writing or otherwise as

 

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permitted under Section 212(c) or any other provision of the DGCL. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it so states and it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power.

 

Section 8. Quorum. Except as otherwise required by any provision of the DGCL or the Charter, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. In the absence of a quorum, any officer entitled to preside at, or act as Secretary of, such meeting, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be constituted. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, the stockholders present may continue to do business at the meeting or at any adjournment thereof notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

 

Section 9. Voting of Shares. Each outstanding share of capital stock of the Corporation shall, subject to Article II, Section 11, be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided in the Charter. In all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of stockholders and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders on that matter, unless the vote of a greater number is required by law, the Charter, or these Bylaws. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares of capital stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

 

Section 10. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders.

 

Section 11. Record Date. The Board may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any rights or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for the purpose of any other lawful action. Such date, in any case, shall be not more than sixty (60) days, and in case of a meeting of stockholders not less than ten (10) days, prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such determination of stockholders is to be taken. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting. If the Board does not so fix a record date, the record date for: (i) determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and (ii) any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

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Section 12. List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the Secretary or other officer of the Corporation who shall have charge of the stock records, either directly or through a transfer agent appointed by the Board, to prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every stockholders meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting; or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation. The list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and shall be subject to the inspection of any stockholder who may be present. The stock records of the Corporation shall be the only evidence of who are the stockholders entitled to examine such list or the books of the Corporation or to vote in person or by proxy at such meeting.

 

Section 13. Proposals by Stockholders at Annual Meeting. At an annual meeting of stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be: (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given in accordance with these Bylaws; (ii) properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board; or (iii) properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder that (A) is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of notice provided for in this Article II, Section 13 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (B) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 13. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely and unless waived by formal action of the Board, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not fewer than sixty (60) and not more than ninety (90) calendar days in advance of the date that is the one year anniversary of the notice date in the Corporation’s proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been advanced by more than thirty (30) days or delayed by more than sixty (60) days from the one year anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders, notice by a stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day notice of the date of the meeting was first mailed or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was first made (via press release reported by a national news service or via a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), whichever occurs first; provided that public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of such notice by a stockholder.

 

To be properly brought before an annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice must set forth (in addition to any information required by applicable law) : (1) a description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (2) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s

 

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books, of the stockholder proposing such business and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf such proposal is made; (3) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and the beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made; (4) any material interest, direct or indirect, of the stockholder and such beneficial owner in such business; and (5) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present the proposal.

 

Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 13. The officer presiding at such annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13 and that such business shall not be transacted.

 

In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Article II, Section 13, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and the DGCL with respect to matters set forth in this Article II, Section 13. Nothing in this Section 13 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

Section 14. Nominations by Stockholders at Annual Meeting. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 14 shall be eligible for election as directors, except as otherwise may be provided in the Charter with respect to the right of holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board (or any committee thereof) or by any stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 14. Any such nomination by a stockholder shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Article II, Section 13. For such nomination to be properly made, such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (C) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by such person, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder (or the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf such nomination is made) and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder, and (E) any other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for elections, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including without limitation such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (ii) as to the stockholder giving notice, the information required to be provided pursuant to Article II, Section 13. At the request of the Board, any person nominated by a stockholder for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary of the Corporation that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination that pertains to the nominee. No stockholder nominee shall be eligible for

 

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election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 14. The officer presiding at such annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws and that the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Article II, Section 14, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Article II, Section 14. Nothing in this Section 14 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

Section 15. Conduct of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence thereof, (i) such person as the Chairman of the Board shall appoint or, in the absence thereof or in the event that the Chairman of the Board shall fail to make such appointment, (ii) any officer of the Corporation appointed by the Board. In the absence of the Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be such person as the officer presiding at the meeting appoints.

 

The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one (1) or more inspector(s) to act at the meeting of stockholders and make a written report thereof. The Board may designate one (1) or more persons as alternate inspector(s) to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed or is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the officer presiding at the meeting shall appoint one (1) or more inspector(s) to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to faithfully execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspector(s) or alternate(s) shall have the duties prescribed pursuant to Section 231 of the DGCL or other applicable law.

 

The Board shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations, if any, the officer presiding at the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all acts as, in his or her judgment, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including without limitation establishing an agenda or order of business of the meeting, rules or regulations to maintain order and the safety of those present, limitations on the time allotted for questions or comments, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for commencement thereof and the fixing of the date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting (and shall announce such at the meeting). Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the officer presiding at any meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

Section 16. Notice by Electronic Transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Charter or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to which the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the

 

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stockholder by written notice to the Corporation and shall be deemed revoked if (i) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two (2) consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (ii) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, the transfer agent or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action. This Article II, Section 16 shall not apply to those situations in which notice by electronic transmission is not permitted in accordance with Section 232 of the DGCL.

 

Notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given if by (i) facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (ii) electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (iii) a posting on an electronic network together with a separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice and (iv) any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

 

For purposes of these Bylaws, “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Board of Directors

 

Section 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board, except as otherwise provided by law, the Charter or these Bylaws.

 

Section 2. Number, Term and Qualification. The Board shall consist of not less than three or more than thirteen members as fixed from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Charter. Each director shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal. No reduction in the number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before such director’s term of office expires. Directors need not be residents of the State of Delaware or stockholders of the Corporation.

 

Section 3. Removal. Except as otherwise provided in the Charter or required by law, directors may be removed from office with or without cause only by a vote of stockholders who hold at least 66 2/3% of the aggregate voting power of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on the election of directors. If any directors are so removed, new directors may be elected at the same meeting.

 

Section 4. Resignation. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman of the Board or the Secretary of the Corporation. The resignation of any director shall take effect upon receipt of notice thereof or at such later time as shall be specified therein. The acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

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Section 5. Vacancies. Except as may otherwise be provided in the Charter or required by law, any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancy in the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, removal or other cause shall, unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board, be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, whether or not less than a quorum, and each director so chosen shall hold office until expiration of the term for which elected and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal.

 

Section 6. Compensation. The Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors for service in such capacity and may provide for the payment or reimbursement of expenses incurred by the directors in connection with such service. Any director may serve the Corporation in any other capacity and receive compensation therefor.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Meetings of Directors

 

Section 1. Annual and Regular Meetings. The annual meeting of the Board for the purpose of electing officers and transacting such other business as may be brought before the meeting shall be held immediately following, and at the same location as, the annual meeting of the stockholders, and no notice of such annual meeting shall be required; provided that the Board may fix another time and place for such annual meeting in which case it shall provide notice in the manner provided herein for special meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

 

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by or at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the directors then in office. Such meetings may be held at the time and place designated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 3. Notice of Special Meetings. The Secretary or other person or persons calling a meeting for which notice is required shall give notice of each special meeting of the Board to each director personally, by telephone or by mail, electronic transmission, overnight mail, courier service or telegram, postage or charges prepaid, at his or her address as shown on the records of the Corporation. If the notice is: (i) given by telephone, electronic transmission, facsimile or hand delivery, it shall be deemed adequate if given at least twelve (12) hours prior to the time set for the meeting; (ii) mailed, it shall be deemed adequate if deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) calendar days before the date of the meeting; (iii) delivered by overnight mail, courier service or telegram, it shall be deemed adequate when delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company or telegraph company at least forty-eight (48) hours before such meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the director or to a person at the office of the director who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose or the place of the meeting, if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the Charter or

 

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these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the director entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the director entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice, or any waiver by electronic transmission, unless so required by the Charter or these Bylaws.

 

Section 4. Quorum. A majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board. Any regular or special meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not a quorum.

 

Section 5. Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.

 

Section 6. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing(s) or electronic transmission(s) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such unanimous written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting and may be stated as such in any articles, certificates or documents filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, or any other state wherein the Corporation may do business.

 

Section 7. Meeting by Use of Conference Telephone. Any one or more directors or members of a committee may participate in a meeting of the Board or any of its committees by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall be deemed presence in person at such meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Committees

 

Section 1. Designation of Committees. The Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the directors then in office, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee to replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee, to the extent provided in these Bylaws or in a resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the lawfully delegable powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board.

 

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Section 2. Executive Committee. There may be an Executive Committee of not more than three directors designated by resolution passed by a majority of the directors then in office. Such committee may meet at stated times, or on notice to all by any of their own number. During intervals between meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except that the Executive Committee shall not have authority to authorize or approve, or to recommend to the stockholders, the following matters:

 

(a) Any action or matter required by law to be submitted to the stockholders for their approval.

 

(b) The designation of an Executive Committee or any other committee having power to exercise any of the authority of the Board in the management of the Corporation or the filling of vacancies in the Board or in such committee.

 

(c) The fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the Board or on such committee.

 

(d) The amendment or repeal of any bylaw or the adoption of any new bylaw.

 

(e) The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board that by its terms shall not be so amendable or repealable.

 

Vacancies in the membership of the Executive Committee shall be filled by a majority of the directors then in office.

 

Section 3. Minutes. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings and shall report thereon to the Board when required by the Board.

 

Section 4. Meetings and Action of Committees. Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of Article IV applicable to meetings and actions of the Board, with such changes in the context of those Bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members; provided, however, that the time of regular and special meetings of committees may also be called by the Board and that the Board may adopt rules for any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Officers

 

Section 1. Titles. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board and shall consist of a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board may also elect a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a Controller, one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers, one or more Assistant Controllers and such

 

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other officers as may be elected in accordance with Section 3 of this Article VI. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, officers shall have the authority and perform the duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board or the officer electing such officer in accordance with Section 3 of this Article VI. Any two or more offices may be held by the same individual, but no officer may act in more than one capacity where action of two or more officers is required.

 

Section 2. Election and Term. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board at the regular meeting of the Board held each year immediately following the annual meeting of the stockholders. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal.

 

Section 3. Subordinate Officers. The Board may elect, or empower the Chief Executive Officer or the President to elect, such other officers as the business of the Corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or President may from time to time determine.

 

Section 4. Removal, Resignation and Vacancy. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board, but removal shall be without prejudice to any contract rights of the officer removed. Election of an officer shall not of itself create contract rights. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Corporation, effective as of the date of receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to any rights of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party. Any vacancy among the officers may be filled by the Board or otherwise in accordance with Section 3 of this Article VI.

 

Section 5. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if such officer is elected, shall preside at meetings of the Board and of stockholders and shall have such other authority and perform such other duties as the Board shall designate or as may be prescribed by these Bylaws. The Vice Chairman of the Board, if such officer is elected, shall fulfill the duties of the Chairman of the Board in his or her absence.

 

Section 6. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer, if such officer is elected, shall, subject to the control of the Board, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation, shall report directly to the Board and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as the Board shall designate or as may be provided by applicable law or prescribed by these Bylaws.

 

Section 7. President. In the absence or inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have all of the powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer. The President shall have such other powers and duties as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate or as may be provided by applicable law or prescribed by these Bylaws.

 

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Section 8. Vice Presidents. In the absence or inability or refusal to act of the President, the Vice President(s), if any are elected, in order of their rank as fixed by the Board or, if not ranked, a Vice President designated by the Board, shall have all of the powers and duties of the President. Each Vice President shall have such other powers and duties as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall designate or as may be provided by applicable law or prescribed by these Bylaws.

 

Section 9. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer, if such officer is elected, shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital and retained earnings. The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all money and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation with such depositaries as may be designated by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board, render to the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, upon request, an account of all of his or her transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation, and have such other powers and duties as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate or as may be provided by applicable law or prescribed by these Bylaws.

 

Section 10. Treasurer. In the absence or inability or refusal to act of the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer shall have all of the powers and duties of the Chief Financial Officer. The Treasurer shall have such other powers and duties as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer shall designate or as may be provided by applicable law or prescribed by these Bylaws.

 

Section 11. Assistant Treasurers. In the absence or inability or refusal to act of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer(s), if any are elected, in the order determined by the Board (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election), shall have the powers and duties of the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer(s) shall have such other powers and duties as the Board or the Treasurer shall designate or as prescribed by these Bylaws.

 

Section 12. Controller and Assistant Controllers. The Controller shall have charge of the accounting affairs of the Corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate. In the absence or inability or refusal to act of the Controller, the Assistant Controller(s), if any, in the order determined by the Board (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election), shall have the powers and perform the duties of the Controller. The Assistant Controllers shall have such other powers and duties as the Board or the Controller shall designate.

 

Section 13. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept accurate records of the acts and proceedings of all meetings of stockholders and of the Board and of all committees of the Board and shall give or cause to be given all notices required by law and by these Bylaws. The Secretary shall have general charge of the corporate books and records and of the corporate seal and shall affix the corporate seal to any lawfully executed instrument requiring it. The Secretary shall have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation and shall keep at the principal office of the Corporation (or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar) a record of stockholders,

 

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showing the name and address of each stockholder and the number and class of the shares held by each. The Secretary shall have such other powers and duties as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate or as may be provided by applicable law or prescribed by these Bylaws.

 

Section 14. Assistant Secretaries. In the absence or inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary(ies), if any, in the order determined by the Board (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election), shall have the powers and duties of the Secretary. The Assistant Secretaries shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as the Board or the Secretary shall designate or as prescribed by these Bylaws.

 

Section 15. Voting of Stock. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board, either the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend, act and vote at meetings of the stockholders of any Corporation in which this Corporation may hold stock and, at such meetings shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock and which, as the owner, the Corporation possesses. The Board may by resolution from time to time confer such power and authority upon any other person or persons.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Capital Stock

 

Section 1. Certificates. Certificates for shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be in such form not inconsistent with the Charter as shall be approved by the Board. The certificates shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name and address of the persons to whom they are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the stock transfer records of the Corporation. Each certificate shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President and by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer; provided, that where a certificate is signed by a transfer agent or assistant transfer agent of the Corporation, the signatures of such officers of the Corporation upon the certificate may be by facsimile, engraved or printed. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Each certificate shall be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof. The Board may provide by resolution that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares, provided that any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the Board, every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon request every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate signed as set forth above.

 

Section 2. Transfer of Shares. Transfer of shares shall be made on the stock transfer books of the Corporation only upon surrender of the certificate for the shares sought to be transferred by the record holder or by a duly authorized agent, transferee or legal

 

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representative to the Corporation or its transfer agent, duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer. All certificates surrendered for transfer shall be cancelled before new certificates for the transferred shares shall be issued.

 

Section 3. Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars of transfers and may require all stock certificates to be signed or countersigned by the transfer agent and registered by the registrar of transfers.

 

Section 4. Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

Section 5. Lost Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate in place of a certificate claimed to have been lost or destroyed, upon receipt of an affidavit from the person explaining the loss or destruction. The Corporation may require the claimant to give the Corporation a bond in a sum as it may direct to indemnify the Corporation against loss from any claim with respect to the certificate claimed to have been lost or destroyed or with respect to the issuance of such new certificate.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 1. Right to Indemnification in Proceedings other than those by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same exists or as may be amended (but, in the case of any amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation provided prior to such amendment). Such indemnification shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided that, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article VIII with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter, an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that if the DGCL so requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or

 

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officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation under this Section or otherwise (hereinafter an “undertaking”).

 

Section 2. Right to Indemnification in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same exists or as may be amended (but, in the case of any amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation provided prior to such amendment).

 

Section 3 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 1 or Section 2 of this Article VIII is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL in order to empower the Corporation to indemnify him or her. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including, without limitation, its independent legal counsel, its stockholders or the Board) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including, without limitation, its independent legal counsel, its stockholders or the Board) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified or to such advancement of expenses hereunder or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

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Section 4. Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the Charter, any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of the persons specified in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article VIII shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not specified in Section 1 or 2 of this Article VIII but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the DGCL or otherwise.

 

Section 5. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or the obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII.

 

Section 6. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to: (i) “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors or officers, so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued; (ii) “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and (iii) “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director or officer of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries.

 

Section 7. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, provide rights to indemnification and the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation, to any other person serving the Corporation or to any person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, and such rights may be equivalent to, or greater or less than, the rights conferred in this Article VIII to directors and officers of the Corporation.

 

Section 8. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the

 

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validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of any Section of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

General Provisions

 

Section 1. Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends out of its earned surplus on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law.

 

Section 2. Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and “Delaware” around the perimeter, and the words “Corporate Seal” in the center and may be adopted or altered by or at the direction of the Board. The Corporation may use the seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or reproduced.

 

Section 3. Depositories and Checks. All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited in the name of the Corporation in such bank, banks, or other financial institutions as the Board or officers designated by the Board may from time to time designate and shall be drawn out on checks, drafts or other orders signed on behalf of the Corporation by such person or persons as the Board may from time to time designate.

 

Section 4. Bond. The Board may by resolution require any or all officers, agents and employees of the Corporation to give bond to the Corporation, with sufficient sureties, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of their respective offices or positions, and to comply with such other conditions as may from time to time be required by the Board.

 

Section 5. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the period ending on December 31 of each year or such other period as the Board shall from time to time determine.

 

Section 6. Amendments. Except as otherwise provided herein, these Bylaws may be amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted at any annual meeting or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of considering such action by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation, voting together as a single class; provided that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the aggregate voting power of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation, voting together as a single class, shall be required to adopt, amend or repeal all or any portion of Section 13 or 14 of Article II, Section 2 of Article III, Article VIII and Section 6 of Article IX of these Bylaws.

 

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These Bylaws may also be amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Board acting pursuant to Article IV, but the stockholders of the Corporation may adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw whether adopted by the Board or otherwise.

 

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Opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC

EXHIBIT 5

Letterhead of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC

May 8, 2006

Targacept, Inc.

200 East First Street, Suite 300

Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8 Relating to the Targacept, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as counsel for Targacept, Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with its registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of 4,329,918 shares of its common stock, $0.001 par value (the “Shares”), which are proposed to be offered and sold pursuant to the Targacept, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Company is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) with respect to the Shares. This opinion is provided pursuant to the requirements of Item 8(a) of Form S-8 and Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K.

We have reviewed the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each as amended to date, and have examined the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of corporate records of the Company, including minute books of the Company as furnished to us by the Company, certificates of public officials and of representatives of the Company, statutes and other instruments and documents, as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In rendering this opinion, we have relied upon certificates of public officials and representatives of the Company with respect to the accuracy of the factual matters contained in such certificates.

In connection with such review, we have assumed with your permission (1) the genuineness of all signatures and the legal capacity of all signatories; (2) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies; and (3) the proper issuance and accuracy of certificates of public officials and representatives of the Company. In rendering opinions as to future events, we have assumed the facts and law existing on the date hereof.

Based on and subject to the foregoing and the qualifications and limitations set forth below, and having regard for such legal considerations as we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

This opinion letter is delivered solely for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and the transactions provided for therein and may not be quoted in whole or in part, referred to, filed with any governmental agency or otherwise used or relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose without our prior written consent.

This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction. This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any changes in applicable law or any other matters that may come to our attention after the date hereof.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement as attorneys who passed upon the validity of the Shares and to the filing of a copy of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act, or other rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

EXHIBIT 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan of Targacept, Inc. of our report dated February 10, 2006, with respect to the financial statements of Targacept, Inc. included in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-131050), for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Greensboro, North Carolina
May 8, 2006
Targacept, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan

Exhibit 99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TARGACEPT, INC.

 

2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

TARGACEPT, INC.

 

2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Definitions

 

In addition to other terms defined herein, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:

 

(a) Administrator means the Board, and, upon its delegation of all or part of its authority to administer the Plan to the Committee, the Committee.

 

(b) Affiliate means any Parent or Subsidiary of the Corporation, and also includes any other business entity which is controlled by, under common control with or controls the Corporation; provided, however, that the term “Affiliate” shall be construed in a manner in accordance with the registration provisions of applicable federal securities laws and as permitted under Code Section 409A.

 

(c) Annual Option means an Option granted on an annual basis to a Nonemployee Director of the Corporation as provided in Section 8.

 

(d) Award means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of an Option (including an Incentive Option, Nonqualified Option or a Director Option); a Stock Appreciation Right (including a Related SAR or a Freestanding SAR); a Restricted Award (including a Restricted Stock Award or a Restricted Unit Award); a Performance Award (including a Performance Share Award or a Performance Unit Award); a Phantom Stock Award; a Dividend Equivalent Award; or any other award granted under the Plan.

 

(e) Award Agreement means an agreement (which may be in written or electronic form, in the Administrator’s discretion, and which includes any amendment or supplement thereto) between the Corporation and a Participant specifying the terms, conditions and restrictions of an Award granted to the Participant. An Agreement may also state such other terms, conditions and restrictions, including but not limited to terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to shares or any other benefit underlying an Award, as may be established by the Administrator.

 

(f) Board or Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

(g) Cause shall mean, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, a Participant’s termination of employment or service resulting from the Participant’s (i) termination for “cause” as defined under the Participant’s employment, consulting or other agreement with the Corporation or an Affiliate, if any, or (ii) if the Participant has not entered into any such employment, consulting or other agreement (or if any such agreement does not address the effect of a “cause” termination), then the Participant’s termination shall be for “Cause” if termination results due to the Participant’s (A) dishonesty; (B) refusal to perform his duties for the Corporation; (C) engaging in fraudulent conduct; or (D) engaging in any conduct that could be materially damaging to the Corporation without a reasonable good faith belief that such conduct was in the best interest of the Corporation. The determination of “Cause” shall be made by the Administrator and its determination shall be final and conclusive.

(h) Change in Control:

 

(i) General: Except as may be otherwise provided in an individual Award Agreement or as may be otherwise required in order to comply with Code Section 409A, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the earliest of the following dates:

 

(A) The date any entity or person shall have become the beneficial owner of, or shall have obtained voting control over, thirty percent (30%) or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation;

 

(B) The date the stockholders of the Corporation approve a definitive agreement (X) to merge or consolidate the Corporation with or into another corporation or other business entity (each, a “corporation”), in which the Corporation is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which any shares of Common Stock of the Corporation would be converted into cash, securities or other property of another corporation, other than a merger or consolidation of the Corporation in which the holders of Common Stock immediately prior to the merger or consolidation continue to own at least 50% of Common Stock, or if the Corporation is not the surviving corporation, the common stock (or other voting securities) of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger as immediately before; provided, however, that if consummation of such merger or consolidation is subject to the approval of federal, state or other regulatory authorities, then, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to occur until the later of the date of stockholder approval of such merger or consolidation or the date of final regulatory approval of such merger or consolidation; or (Y) to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation; or

 

(C) The date there shall have been a change in a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation within a 12-month period unless the nomination for election by the Corporation’s stockholders of each new Director was approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board (or a committee of the Board, if nominations are approved by a Board committee rather than the Board) then still in office who were in office at the beginning of the 12-month period.

 

(For the purposes herein, the term “person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, group, association or other person, as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than the Corporation, a subsidiary of the Corporation or any employee benefit plan(s) sponsored or maintained by the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, and the term “beneficial owner” shall have the meaning given the term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.)

 

(D) The Administrator shall have full and final authority, in its discretion, to determine whether a Change in Control of the Corporation has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto.

 

(ii) Definition Applicable to Awards subject to Code Section 409A: Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of Section 1(h)(i), in the event that any Awards granted under the Plan are deemed to be deferred compensation subject to the provisions of Code Section 409A, then distributions related to such Awards may be permitted, in the Administrator’s discretion, upon the

 

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occurrence of one or more of the following events (as they are defined and interpreted under Code Section 409A): (A) a change in the ownership of the Corporation, (B) a change in effective control of the Corporation, or (C) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation.

 

(i) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference herein to a specific Code section shall be deemed to include all related regulations or other guidance with respect to such Code section.

 

(j) Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board appointed to administer the Plan.

 

(k) Common Stock means the common stock of Targacept, Inc., $0.001 par value.

 

(l) Corporation means Targacept, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with any successor thereto.

 

(m) Covered Employee shall have the meaning given the term in Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(n) Director means a member of the Board or of the board of directors of an Affiliate.

 

(o) Director Option means an Option granted to a Nonemployee Director of the Corporation as provided in Section 8. Director Options may be Initial Options or Annual Options as provided in Section 8.

 

(p) Disability shall, except as may be otherwise determined by the Administrator or required or permitted under Code Section 409A, have the meaning given in any employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement, if any, to which a Participant is a party, or, if there is no such agreement (or if any such agreement does not address the effect of termination due to disability), “Disability” shall mean the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The Administrator shall have discretion to determine if a termination due to Disability has occurred.

 

(q) Displacement shall, as applied to any Participant, be as defined in any employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement, if any, to which the Participant is a party, or, if there is no such agreement (or if any such agreement does not address the effect of a termination due to displacement), “Displacement” shall mean the termination of the Participant’s employment or service due to the elimination of the Participant’s job or position without fault on the part of the Participant (as determined by the Administrator).

 

(r) Dividend Equivalent Award means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 13 to receive the equivalent value (in cash or shares of Common Stock) of dividends paid on Common Stock.

 

(s) Effective Date means the effective date of the Plan, as provided in Section 4.

 

(t) Employee means any person who is an employee of the Corporation or any Affiliate (including entities which become Affiliates after the Effective Date of the Plan). For this purpose, an individual shall be considered to be an Employee only if there exists between the individual and the

 

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Corporation or an Affiliate the legal and bona fide relationship of employer and employee (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A); provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Options, “Employee” means any person who is considered an employee of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary for purposes of Treas. Reg. Section 1.421-1(h) (or any successor provision related thereto).

 

(u) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(v) Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock shall be established in good faith by the Administrator and, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions: (A) if the shares of Common Stock are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price per share of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market (as applicable) on the date immediately preceding the date an Option is granted or other determination is made (such date of determination being referred to herein as a “valuation date”), or, if there is no transaction on such date, then on the trading date nearest preceding the valuation date for which closing price information is available, and, provided further, if the shares are not listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the average between the highest bid and lowest asked prices for such stock on the date immediately or nearest preceding the valuation date as reported on the Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board Service or by the National Quotation Bureau, Incorporated or a comparable service; or (B) if the shares of Common Stock are not listed or reported in any of the foregoing, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator based on such valuation measures or other factors as it deems appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) with respect to the grant of Incentive Options, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 20.2031-2 of the Federal Estate Tax Regulations, or in any other manner consistent with the Code Section 422; and (ii) Fair Market Value shall be determined in accordance with Section 409A to the extent required.

 

(w) Freestanding SAR means an SAR that is granted without relation to an Option, as provided in Section 9.

 

(x) Incentive Option means an Option that is designated by the Administrator as an Incentive Option pursuant to Section 7 and intended to meet the requirements of incentive stock options under Code Section 422.

 

(y) Independent Contractor means an independent contractor, consultant or advisor providing services to the Corporation or an Affiliate.

 

(z) Initial Option means an Option granted to a Nonemployee Director of the Corporation upon initial election or appointment to the Board, as provided in Section 8.

 

(aa) Nonemployee Director means a Director of the Board who is not an Employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate and who is eligible to receive a Director Option pursuant to Section 8.

 

(bb) Nonqualified Option means an Option granted under Section 7 or Section 8 that is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Code Section 422.

 

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(cc) Option means a stock option granted under Section 7 or Section 8 that entitles the holder to purchase from the Corporation a stated number of shares of Common Stock at the price set forth in an Award Agreement.

 

(dd) Option Period means the term of an Option, as provided in Section 7(d) and Section 8(f).

 

(ee) Option Price means the price at which an Option may be exercised, as provided in Section 7(b) and Section 8(e).

 

(ff) Parent means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

(gg) Participant means an individual employed by, or providing services to, the Corporation or an Affiliate who satisfies the requirements of Section 6 and is selected by the Administrator to receive an Award under the Plan.

 

(hh) Performance Award means a Performance Share Award and/or a Performance Unit Award, as provided in Section 11.

 

(ii) Performance Measures mean one or more performance factors which may be established by the Administrator with respect to an Award. Performance factors may be based on such corporate, business unit or division and/or individual performance factors and criteria as the Administrator in its discretion may deem appropriate; provided, however, that, such performance factors shall be limited to one or more of the following (as determined by the Administrator in its discretion): (i) cash flow; (ii) return on equity; (iii) return on assets; (iv) earnings per share; (v) achievement of clinical development or regulatory milestones; (vi) operations expense efficiency milestones; (vii) consolidated earnings before or after taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); (viii) net income; (ix) operating income; (x) book value per share; (xi) return on investment; (xii) return on capital; (xiii) improvements in capital structure; (xiv) expense management; (xv) profitability of an identifiable business unit or product; (xvi) maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (xvii) stock price or total stockholder return; (xviii) market share; (xix) revenues or sales; (xx) costs; (xxi) working capital; (xxii) economic wealth created; (xxiii) strategic business criteria; (xxiv) efficiency ratio(s); (xxv) achievement of division, group, function or corporate financial, strategic or operational goals; and (xxvi) comparisons with stock market indices or performances of metrics of peer companies. To the extent that Section 162(m) of the Code is applicable, the Administrator shall, within the time and in the manner prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code, define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Measures it selects to use for Participants during any specific performance period. Such performance factors may be adjusted or modified due to extraordinary items, transactions, events or developments, or in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Corporation or the financial statements of the Corporation, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles or business conditions, in each case as determined by the Administrator.

 

(jj) Performance Share means an Award granted under Section 11, in an amount determined by the Administrator and specified in an Award Agreement, stated with reference to a specified number of shares of Common Stock, that entitles the holder to receive shares of Common Stock, a cash payment or a combination of Common Stock and cash (as determined by the Administrator), subject to the terms of the Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Administrator.

 

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(kk) Performance Unit means an Award granted under Section 11, in an amount determined by the Administrator and specified in an Award Agreement, that entitles the holder to receive Shares of Common Stock, a cash payment or a combination of Common Stock and cash (as determined by the Administrator), subject to the terms of the Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Administrator.

 

(ll) Phantom Stock Award means an Award granted under Section 12, entitling a Participant to a payment in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and Common Stock (as determined by the Administrator), following the completion of the applicable vesting period and compliance with the terms of the Plan and other terms and conditions established by the Administrator. The unit value of a Phantom Stock Award shall be based on the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock.

 

(mm) Plan means the Targacept, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as it may be hereafter amended and/or restated.

 

(nn) Prior Plan or Prior Plans means the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan of Targacept, Inc., as amended, and any other employee stock incentive plan maintained by the Corporation prior to the Effective Date of the Plan.

 

(oo) Public Offering Date means the date on which the Underwriting Agreement between the Corporation and the managing underwriters of the Corporation’s initial public offering of its Common Stock is executed and delivered.

 

(pp) Related SAR means an SAR granted under Section 9 that is granted in relation to a particular Option and that can be exercised only upon the surrender to the Corporation, unexercised, of that portion of the Option to which the SAR relates.

 

(qq) Restricted Award means a Restricted Stock Award and/or a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as provided in Section 10.

 

(rr) Restricted Stock Award means shares of Common Stock awarded to a Participant under Section 10. Shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall cease to be restricted when, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Administrator, the shares vest and become transferable and free of substantial risks of forfeiture.

 

(ss) Restricted Stock Unit means a Restricted Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 10 which is settled (i) by the delivery of one share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit, (ii) in cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit, or (iii) in a combination of cash and Shares equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit, as determined by the Administrator. A Restricted Stock Unit Award represents the promise of the Corporation to deliver shares, cash or a combination thereof, as applicable, at the end of the Restriction Period, subject to compliance with the terms of the Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Administrator.

 

(tt) Retirement shall, as applied to any Participant, be as defined in any employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement, if any, to which the Participant is a party, or, if there is no such agreement (or if any such agreement does address the effect of termination due to retirement), “Retirement” shall mean retirement in accordance with the retirement policies and

 

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procedures established by the Corporation, as determined by the Administrator and, where applicable, in accordance with Code Section 409A.

 

(uu) SAR means a stock appreciation right granted under Section 9 entitling the Participant to receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock encompassed by the exercise of such SAR, the excess of the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise over the SAR base price, subject to the terms of the Plan and any other terms and conditions established by the Administrator. References to “SARs” include both Related SARs and Freestanding SARs, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

(vv) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(ww) Subsidiary means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

(xx) Termination Date means the date of termination of a Participant’s employment or service for any reason, as determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

2. Purpose

 

The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable selected Employees, Directors and Independent Contractors of the Corporation and its Affiliates to acquire or to increase their holdings of Common Stock of the Corporation and other proprietary interests in the Corporation in order to promote a closer identification of their interests with those of the Corporation and its stockholders, thereby further stimulating their efforts to enhance the efficiency, soundness, profitability, growth and stockholder value of the Corporation. This purpose will be carried out through the granting of Awards to selected Employees, Independent Contractors and Directors, including the granting to selected Participants of Options in the form of Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Options; SARs in the form of Related SARs and Freestanding SARs; Restricted Awards in the form of Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units; Performance Awards in the form of Performance Shares and Performance Units; Phantom Stock Awards; Director Options in the form of Initial Options and Annual Options; and/or Dividend Equivalent Awards.

 

3. Administration of the Plan

 

(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or, upon its delegation, by the Committee. Unless the Board determines otherwise, the Committee shall be comprised solely of two or more “non-employee directors,” as such term is defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, or as may otherwise be permitted under Rule 16b-3. Further, to the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be administered by a committee comprised of two or more “outside directors” (as such term is defined in Section 162(m)) or as may otherwise be permitted under Section 162(m). For the purposes of the Plan, the term “Administrator” shall refer to the Board and, upon its delegation to the Committee of all or part of its authority to administer the Plan, to the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall have sole authority to grant discretionary Awards (that is, Awards other than Director Options) to Directors who are not employees of the Corporation or its Affiliates.

 

(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator shall have full and final authority in its discretion to take any action with respect to the Plan including, without limitation, the authority (i) to determine all matters relating to Awards, including selection of individuals to be granted Awards, the types of Awards, the number of shares of the Common Stock, if any, subject to an Award, and all terms,

 

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conditions, restrictions and limitations of an Award; (ii) to prescribe the form or forms of Award Agreements evidencing any Awards granted under the Plan; (iii) to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan; and (iv) to construe and interpret the Plan, Awards and Award Agreements made under the Plan, to interpret rules and regulations for administering the Plan and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. Except to the extent otherwise required under Code Section 409A, (i) the Administrator shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to accelerate the date that any Award which was not otherwise exercisable, vested or earned shall become exercisable, vested or earned in whole or in part without any obligation to accelerate such date with respect to any other Award granted to any recipient; and (ii) the Administrator also may in its sole discretion modify or extend the terms and conditions for exercise, vesting or earning of an Award. The Administrator may determine that a Participant’s rights, payments and/or benefits with respect to an Award (including but not limited to any shares issued or issuable and/or cash paid or payable with respect to an Award) shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, termination of employment for cause, violation of policies of the Corporation or an Affiliate, breach of non-solicitation, noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is determined by the Administrator to be detrimental to the business or reputation of the Corporation or any Affiliate. In addition, the Administrator shall have the authority and discretion to establish terms and conditions of Awards (including but not limited to the establishment of subplans) as the Administrator determines to be necessary or appropriate to conform to the applicable requirements or practices of jurisdictions outside of the United States. In addition to action by meeting in accordance with applicable laws, any action of the Administrator with respect to the Plan may be taken by a written instrument signed by all of the members of the Board or Committee, as appropriate, and any such action so taken by written consent shall be as fully effective as if it had been taken by a majority of the members at a meeting duly held and called. No member of the Board or Committee, as applicable, shall be liable while acting as Administrator for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, an Award or an Award Agreement. The members of the Board or Committee, as applicable, shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement in the manner provided in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and/or under applicable law.

 

(c) Notwithstanding the other provisions of Section 3, the Administrator may delegate to one or more officers of the Corporation the authority to grant Awards, and to make any or all of the determinations reserved for the Administrator in the Plan and summarized in Section 3(b) with respect to such Awards (subject to any restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations and such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator); provided, however, that, to the extent required by Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code, the Participant, at the time of said grant or other determination, (i) is not deemed to be an officer or director of the Corporation within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act; and (ii) is not deemed to be a Covered Employee as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code. To the extent that the Administrator has delegated authority to grant Awards pursuant to this Section 3(c) to one or more officers of the Corporation, references to the Administrator shall include references to such officer or officers, subject, however, to the requirements of the Plan, Rule 16b-3, Section 162(m) of the Code and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

4. Effective Date

 

The Effective Date of the Plan shall be the day prior to the Public Offering Date. Awards may be granted under the Plan on and after the Effective Date, but not after the date that is the tenth anniversary less one day after the Effective Date. Awards that are outstanding at the end of the Plan term

 

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(or such earlier termination date as may be established by the Board pursuant to Section 15(a)) shall continue in accordance with their terms, unless otherwise provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement.

 

5. Shares of Stock Subject to the Plan; Award Limitations

 

(a) Shares of Stock Subject to the Plan: Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 5(d), the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall not exceed the sum of (i) 2,700,000 shares, plus (ii) no more than 30,968 shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance as of the Effective Date of the Plan under any Prior Plan, plus (iii) no more than 1,631,110 shares of Common Stock if and to the extent that any of such shares are subject to an award granted under a Prior Plan, which award is forfeited, cancelled, terminated, expires or lapses for any reason without the issuance of shares pursuant to the award. Shares delivered under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase. The Corporation hereby reserves sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock to meet the grant of Awards hereunder.

 

(b) Award Limitations: Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the following limitations shall apply to Awards granted under the Plan, in each case subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 5(d):

 

(i) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to the grant of Incentive Options shall not exceed 4,362,078 shares, or such lesser number of shares as may be available under the Plan pursuant to Section 5(a) herein;

 

(ii) In any calendar year, no Participant may be granted Options and SARs that are not related to an Option for more than 500,000 shares of Common Stock;

 

(iii) No Participant may be granted Awards in any calendar year for more than 500,000 shares of Common Stock; and

 

(iv) No Participant may be paid more than $1,000,000 with respect to any cash-settled award or awards which were granted during any single calendar year.

 

(For purposes of Section 5(b)(ii) and (iii), an Option and Related SAR shall be treated as a single Award.)

 

(c) Shares Not Subject to Limitations: The following will not be applied to the share limitations of Section 5(a) above: (i) dividends, including dividends paid in shares, or dividend equivalents paid in cash in connection with outstanding Awards; (ii) Awards which by their terms are settled in cash rather than the issuance of shares; (iii) any shares subject to an Award under the Plan which Award is forfeited, cancelled, terminated, expires or lapses for any reason or any shares subject to an Award which shares are repurchased or reacquired by the Corporation; and (iv) any shares surrendered by a Participant or withheld by the Corporation to pay the Option Price or purchase price for an Award or shares or used to satisfy any tax withholding requirement in connection with the exercise, vesting or earning of an Award if, in accordance with the terms of the Plan, a Participant pays such Option Price or purchase price or satisfies such tax withholding by either tendering previously owned shares or having the Corporation withhold shares.

 

(d) Adjustments: If there is any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock because of a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Corporation or an Affiliate, or if the Board of

 

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Directors of the Corporation declares a stock dividend, stock split distributable in shares of Common Stock, reverse stock split, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or if there is a similar change in the capital stock structure of the Corporation or an Affiliate affecting the Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be correspondingly adjusted, and the Administrator shall make such adjustments to Awards and to any provisions of this Plan as the Administrator deems equitable to prevent dilution or enlargement of Awards or as may be otherwise advisable.

 

6. Eligibility

 

An Award may be granted only to an individual who satisfies all of the following eligibility requirements on the date the Award is granted:

 

(a) The individual is either (i) an Employee, (ii) a Director, or (iii) an Independent Contractor.

 

(b) With respect to the grant of Incentive Options, the individual is otherwise eligible to participate under Section 6, is an Employee of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary and does not own, immediately before the time that the Incentive Option is granted, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary may be granted an Incentive Option if the Option Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, and the Option Period does not exceed five years. For this purpose, an individual will be deemed to own stock which is attributable to him under Section 424(d) of the Code.

 

(c) With respect to the grant of substitute awards or assumption of awards in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Corporation or an Affiliate, the recipient is otherwise eligible to receive the Award and the terms of the award are consistent with the Plan and applicable laws, rules and regulations (including, to the extent necessary, the federal securities laws registration provisions and Section 424(a) of the Code).

 

(d) The individual, being otherwise eligible under this Section 6, is selected by the Administrator as an individual to whom an Award shall be granted (as defined above, a “Participant”).

 

7. Options

 

(a) Grant of Options: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may in its sole and absolute discretion grant Options to such eligible individuals in such numbers, subject to such terms and conditions, and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. Both Incentive Options and Nonqualified Options may be granted under the Plan, as determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that Incentive Options may only be granted to Employees of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary. To the extent that an Option is designated as an Incentive Option but does not qualify as such under Section 422 of the Code, the Option (or portion thereof) shall be treated as a Nonqualified Option. An Option may be granted with or without a Related SAR.

 

(b) Option Price: The Option Price shall be established by the Administrator and stated in the Award Agreement evidencing the grant of the Option; provided, that (i) the Option Price of an Incentive Option shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock as determined on the date the Option is granted (or 110% of the Fair Market Value with respect to Incentive

 

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Options granted to an Employee who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary, as provided in Section 6(b)); (ii) the Option Price of a Nonqualified Option shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date the Option is granted; and (iii) in no event shall the Option Price per share of any Option be less than the par value per share of the Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may in its discretion authorize the grant of substitute or assumed options of an acquired entity with an Option Price not equal to at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the stock on the date of grant, if the option price of any such assumed or substituted option was at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the original date of grant and if the terms of such assumed or substituted options otherwise comply with Code Section 409A.

 

(c) Date of Grant: An Incentive Option shall be considered to be granted on the date that the Administrator acts to grant the Option, or on any later date specified by the Administrator as the effective date of the Option. A Nonqualified Option shall be considered to be granted on the date the Administrator acts to grant the Option or any other date specified by the Administrator as the date of grant of the Option.

 

(d) Option Period and Limitations on the Right to Exercise Options:

 

(i) The Option Period shall be determined by the Administrator at the time the Option is granted and shall be stated in the Award Agreement. With respect to Incentive Options, the Option Period shall not extend more than 10 years from the date on which the Option is granted (or five years with respect to Incentive Options granted to an Employee who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary, as provided in Section 6(b)). Any Option or portion thereof not exercised before expiration of the Option Period shall terminate. The period or periods during which, and conditions pursuant to which, an Option may become exercisable shall be determined by the Administrator in its discretion, subject to the terms of the Plan.

 

(ii) An Option may be exercised by giving written notice to the Corporation in form acceptable to the Administrator at such place and subject to such conditions as may be established by the Administrator or its designee. Such notice shall specify the number of shares to be purchased pursuant to an Option and the aggregate purchase price to be paid therefor and shall be accompanied by payment of such purchase price. The total number of shares that may be acquired upon exercise of an Option shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share. Unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise, such payment shall be in the form of cash or cash equivalent; provided that, where permitted by the Administrator and applicable laws, rules and regulations (and subject to such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator), payment may also be made:

 

(A) By delivery (by either actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant for such time period, if any, as may be determined by the Administrator and otherwise acceptable to the Administrator;

 

(B) By shares of Common Stock withheld upon exercise;

 

(C) With respect only to purchases upon exercise of an Option after a public market for the Common Stock exists, by delivery of written notice of exercise to the Corporation and delivery to a broker of written notice of exercise and irrevocable

 

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instructions to promptly deliver to the Corporation the amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the Option Price;

 

(D) By such other payment methods as may be approved by the Administrator and which are acceptable under applicable law; or

 

(E) By any combination of the foregoing methods.

 

Shares tendered or withheld in payment on the exercise of an Option shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. For the purposes of the Plan, a “public market” for the Common Stock shall be deemed to exist (i) upon consummation of a firm commitment underwritten public offering of the Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (ii) if the Administrator otherwise determines that there is an established public market for the Common Stock.

 

(iii) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, no Option granted to a Participant who was an Employee at the time of grant shall be exercised unless the Participant is, at the time of exercise, an Employee as described in Section 6(a), and has been an Employee continuously since the date the Option was granted, subject to the following:

 

(A) The employment relationship of a Participant shall be treated as continuing intact for any period that the Participant is on military or sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence, provided that the period of such leave does not exceed 90 days, or, if longer, as long as the Participant’s right to reemployment is guaranteed either by statute or by contract. The employment relationship of a Participant shall also be treated as continuing intact while the Participant is not in active service because of Disability. The Administrator shall have sole authority to determine whether a Participant is disabled and, if applicable, the Participant’s Termination Date.

 

(B) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), if the employment of a Participant is terminated because of Disability or death, the Option may be exercised only to the extent exercisable on the Participant’s Termination Date, except that the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A) accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of the Option which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date. The Option must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the following, whichever shall be applicable: (X) the close of the one-year period following the Termination Date (or such other period stated in the Award Agreement); or (Y) the close of the Option Period. In the event of the Participant’s death, such Option shall be exercisable by such person or persons as shall have acquired the right to exercise the Option by will or by the laws of intestate succession.

 

(C) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A, if the employment of the Participant is terminated for any reason other than Disability, death or for “Cause,” his Option may be exercised to the extent exercisable on his Termination Date, except that the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of the Option which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date. The Option must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the following, whichever shall be applicable:

 

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(X) the close of the period of three months next succeeding the Termination Date (or such other period stated in the Award Agreement); or (Y) the close of the Option Period. If the Participant dies following such termination of employment and prior to the earlier of the dates specified in (X) or (Y) of this subparagraph (C), the Participant shall be treated as having died while employed under subparagraph (B) (treating for this purpose the Participant’s date of termination of employment as the Termination Date). In the event of the Participant’s death, such Option shall be exercisable by such person or persons as shall have acquired the right to exercise the Option by will or by the laws of intestate succession.

 

(D) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), if the employment of the Participant is terminated for “Cause,” his Option shall lapse and no longer be exercisable as of his Termination Date, as determined by the Administrator.

 

(E) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of an Option which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date, extend the period during which an Option may be exercised, modify the terms and conditions to exercise, or any combination of the foregoing.

 

(iv) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), an Option granted to a Participant who was a Director but who was not an Employee at the time of grant may be exercised only to the extent exercisable on the Participant’s Termination Date (unless the termination was for Cause), and must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the following, as applicable: (X) the close of the period of six months next succeeding the Termination Date (or such other period stated in the Award Agreement); or (Y) the close of the Option Period. If the services of a Participant are terminated for Cause, his Option shall lapse and no longer be exercisable as of his Termination Date, as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of an Option which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date, extend the period during which an Option may be exercised, modify the other terms and conditions to exercise, or any combination of the foregoing.

 

(v) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), an Option granted to a Participant who was an Independent Contractor at the time of grant (and who does not thereafter become an Employee, in which case he shall be subject to the provisions of Section 7(d)(iii)) may be exercised only to the extent exercisable on the Participant’s Termination Date (unless the termination was for Cause), and must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the following, as applicable: (X) the close of the period of three months next succeeding the Termination Date (or such other period stated in the Award Agreement); or (Y) the close of the Option Period. If the services of a Participant are terminated for Cause, his Option shall lapse and no longer be exercisable as of his Termination Date, as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), accelerate the date for exercising all or any part of an Option which was not otherwise exercisable on the Termination Date, extend the period during which an Option may be exercised, modify the other terms and conditions to exercise, or any combination of the foregoing.

 

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(e) Notice of Disposition: If shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Option are disposed of within two years following the date of grant or one year following the transfer of such shares to a Participant upon exercise, the Participant shall, promptly following such disposition, notify the Corporation in writing of the date and terms of such disposition and provide such other information regarding the disposition as the Administrator may reasonably require.

 

(f) Limitation on Incentive Options: In no event shall there first become exercisable by an Employee in any one calendar year Incentive Options granted by the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary with respect to shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time an Incentive Option is granted) greater than $100,000. To the extent that any Incentive Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such limitation, the excess shall be considered a Nonqualified Option.

 

(g) Nontransferability: Incentive Options shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession or, in the Administrator’s discretion, as may otherwise be permitted in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.421-1(b)(2) or any successor provision thereto. Nonqualified Options shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, except as may be permitted by the Administrator in a manner consistent with the registration provisions of the Securities Act. An Option shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by him, by his guardian or legal representative or by a transferee in a transfer permitted by this Section 7(g). The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with Section 19(g) does not constitute a transfer.

 

8. Director Options

 

(a) General: Each Nonemployee Director who is otherwise eligible under this Section 8 shall be granted a Director Option or Director Options as provided in Section 8. Director Options shall be designated as Nonqualified Options. Director Options shall be subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan except as otherwise provided in Section 8.

 

(b) Eligibility: A Director Option may be granted only to an individual who is a Nonemployee Director of the Corporation on the date the Director Option is granted. A Nonemployee Director may also be eligible for other Awards (including but not limited to Options granted pursuant to Section 7), subject to the terms of the Plan and the Administrator’s discretion.

 

(c) Grant of Initial Options Upon Initial Election or Appointment to the Board: Each Nonemployee Director who is first elected or appointed to the Board after the Public Offering Date shall receive an Initial Option to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock. The date of grant of such an Initial Option shall be the fifth business day after the date of the annual meeting of stockholders as to those Nonemployee Directors who are first elected at an annual meeting of stockholders and the fifth business day after the date of election or appointment to the Board as to those Nonemployee Directors who are first elected or appointed to the Board other than at an annual meeting of stockholders. In addition, a Nonemployee Director who serves as chairman of the Board shall also receive an Initial Option for 10,000 shares when first elected or appointed as chairman. The date of grant of such Initial Option shall be the fifth business day after the date on which the Director is first elected or appointed as chairman of the Board.

 

(d) Grant of Annual Options: Each Nonemployee Director also shall be granted, on an annual basis commencing with the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, a Director Option to purchase 7,500 shares of Common Stock (or, a Director Option for 12,500 shares, in the case of the chairman of

 

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the Board), provided that the Nonemployee Director continues to serve as a member of the Board as of the date of grant. The date of grant of such an Annual Option shall be the fifth business day after the date of the annual or other stockholders meeting at which directors are elected. For the avoidance of doubt, a Nonemployee Director elected for the first time to the Board at an annual meeting of stockholders shall only receive an Initial Option in connection with such election, and shall not receive an Annual Option on the fifth business day following such meeting as well.

 

(e) Option Price: The price per share of Common Stock at which a Director Option may be exercised shall be 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date the Option is granted.

 

(f) Option Period and Limitations on the Right to Exercise Options:

 

(i) The Option Period of a Director Option shall be 10 years from the date of grant. Initial Options shall become exercisable as provided in Section 8(f)(i)(A), and Annual Options shall become exercisable as provided in Section 8(f)(i)(B). To the extent that all or part of an Option becomes exercisable but is not exercised, such Option shall accumulate and be exercisable by the Director in whole or in part at any time before the expiration of the Option Period. The total number of shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of an Initial Option or Annual Option shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share. Any Director Option or portion thereof not exercised before expiration of the Option Period shall terminate.

 

(A) Initial Options. An Initial Option shall vest and become exercisable with respect to one-third of the shares subject to the Option on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided that the Nonemployee Director remains in service on such anniversary date. An Initial Option shall vest and become exercisable with respect to the remaining two-thirds of the shares subject to the Option in pro rata quarterly installments over the second and third years following the date of grant so that an Initial Option will be vested and exercisable in full on the third anniversary of the date of grant, provided that the Nonemployee Director remains in service as a Director during such periods.

 

(B) Annual Options. An Annual Option granted shall vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided that the Nonemployee Director remains in service as a Director on such anniversary date.

 

(ii) Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), a Director Option granted to a Nonemployee Director at the time of grant may be exercised only to the extent exercisable on the Nonemployee Director’s Termination Date (unless the termination was for Cause), and must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the following, as applicable: (X) the close of the period of six months next succeeding the Termination Date (or such other period stated in the Award Agreement); or (Y) the close of the Option Period. If the services of a Nonemployee Director are terminated for Cause, his Director Option shall lapse and no longer be exercisable as of his Termination Date, as determined by the Administrator.

 

(iii) A Director Option shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Administrator or its designee at such time and place as the Administrator shall direct. Such notice shall specify the number of shares to be purchased pursuant to the Director Option and the aggregate purchase price to be paid therefor, and shall be accompanied by the payment of such purchase price. Payment shall be made in accordance with Section 7(d)(ii).

 

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(g) Nontransferability: A Director Option shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, except as may be permitted by the Administrator in a manner consistent with the registration provisions of the Securities Act. Except as may be permitted by the preceding sentence, a Director Option shall be exercisable during the Nonemployee Director’s lifetime only by him or by his guardian or legal representative. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with Section 19(g) does not constitute a transfer.

 

9. Stock Appreciation Rights

 

(a) Grant of SARs: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may in its sole and absolute discretion grant SARs to such eligible individuals, in such numbers, upon such terms and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. SARs may be granted to the holder of an Option (a “Related Option”) with respect to all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Related Option (a “Related SAR”) or may be granted separately to an eligible individual (a “Freestanding SAR”). The base price per share of an SAR shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date the SAR is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may in its discretion authorize the grant of substitute or assumed SARs of an acquired entity with a base price per share not equal to at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of the stock on the date of grant, if the base price of any such assumed or substituted SAR was at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the original date of grant and if the terms of such assumed or substituted SAR otherwise comply with Code Section 409A.

 

(b) Related SARs: A Related SAR may be granted either concurrently with the grant of the Related Option or (if the Related Option is a Nonqualified Option) at any time thereafter prior to the complete exercise, termination, expiration or cancellation of such Related Option; provided, however, that Related SARs must be granted in accordance with Code Section 409A. The base price of a Related SAR shall be equal to the Option Price of the Related Option. Related SARs shall be exercisable only at the time and to the extent that the Related Option is exercisable (and may be subject to such additional limitations on exercisability as the Administrator may provide in the agreement), and in no event after the complete termination or full exercise of the Related Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Related SAR that is related to an Incentive Option may be exercised only to the extent that the Related Option is exercisable and only when the Fair Market Value exceeds the Option Price of the Related Option. Upon the exercise of a Related SAR granted in connection with a Related Option, the Option shall be canceled to the extent of the number of shares as to which the SAR is exercised, and upon the exercise of a Related Option, the Related SAR shall be canceled to the extent of the number of shares as to which the Related Option is exercised or surrendered.

 

(c) Freestanding SARs: An SAR may be granted without relationship to an Option (as defined above, a “Freestanding SAR”) and, in such case, will be exercisable upon such terms and subject to such conditions as may be determined by the Administrator, subject to the terms of the Plan.

 

(d) Exercise of SARs:

 

(i) Subject to the terms of the Plan, SARs shall be exercisable in whole or in part upon such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator and stated in the applicable Award Agreement. The period during which an SAR may be exercisable shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant or, in the case of Related SARs, such shorter Option Period as may apply to the Related Option. Any SAR or portion thereof not exercised before expiration of the period established by the Administrator shall terminate.

 

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(ii) SARs may be exercised by giving written notice to the Corporation in form acceptable to the Administrator at such place and subject to such terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator or its designee. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the date of exercise of an SAR shall mean the date on which the Corporation shall have received proper notice from the Participant of the exercise of such SAR.

 

(iii) Each Participant’s Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise an SAR following termination of the Participant’s employment or service with the Corporation. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, need not be uniform among all SARs issued pursuant to this Section 9, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, no SAR may be exercised unless the Participant is, at the time of exercise, an eligible Participant, as described in Section 6, and has been a Participant continuously since the date the SAR was granted, subject to the provisions of Sections 7(d)(iii), (iv) and (v).

 

(e) Payment Upon Exercise: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, upon the exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Corporation in an amount determined by multiplying (i) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR over the base price of the SAR by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the SAR is being exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator in its discretion may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to an SAR. The consideration payable upon exercise of an SAR shall be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock (valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the SAR) or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an SAR shall be structured in a manner designed to be exempt from, or to comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

(f) Nontransferability: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, (i) SARs shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, and (ii) SARs may be exercised during the Participant’s lifetime only by him or by his guardian or legal representative. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with Section 19(g) does not constitute a transfer.

 

10. Restricted Awards

 

(a) Grant of Restricted Awards: Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may in its sole and absolute discretion grant Restricted Awards to such individuals in such numbers, upon such terms and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. Such Restricted Awards may be in the form of Restricted Stock Awards and/or Restricted Stock Units that are subject to certain conditions, which conditions must be met in order for the Restricted Award to vest and be earned (in whole or in part) and no longer subject to forfeiture. Restricted Stock Awards shall be payable in shares of Common Stock. Restricted Stock Units shall be payable in cash or shares of Common Stock, or partly in cash and partly in shares of Common Stock, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the discretion of the Administrator. The Administrator shall determine the nature, length and starting date of the period, if any, during which a Restricted Award may be earned (the “Restriction Period”), and shall determine the conditions which must be met in order for a Restricted Award to be granted or to vest or be earned (in whole or in part), which conditions may include, but are not limited to, payment of a stipulated purchase price, attainment of performance objectives, continued service or employment for a certain period of time (or a combination of attainment of performance objectives and continued service), Retirement, Displacement, Disability, death, or any combination of such conditions. Notwithstanding the

 

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foregoing, Restricted Awards that vest based solely on continued service or the passage of time shall be subject to a minimum Restriction Period of one year (except in the case of (i) Restricted Awards assumed or substituted in connection with mergers, acquisitions or other business transactions, (ii) Restricted Awards granted in connection with the recruitment or hiring of a Participant, and/or (iii) Restricted Awards granted pursuant to any incentive compensation or bonus program established by the Corporation). In the case of Restricted Awards based upon performance criteria, or a combination of performance criteria and continued service, the Administrator shall determine the Performance Measures applicable to such Restricted Awards (subject to Section 1(ii)).

 

(b) Vesting of Restricted Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan and Code Section 409A, the Administrator shall have sole authority to determine whether and to what degree Restricted Awards have vested and been earned and are payable and to establish and interpret the terms and conditions of Restricted Awards. The Administrator may (subject to any restrictions imposed under Code Section 409A) accelerate the date that any Restricted Award granted to a Participant shall be deemed to be vested or earned in whole or in part, without any obligation to accelerate such date with respect to other Restricted Awards granted to any Participant.

 

(c) Forfeiture of Restricted Awards: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, if the employment or service of a Participant shall be terminated for any reason and all or any part of a Restricted Award has not vested or been earned pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the individual Award, such Award, to the extent not then vested or earned, shall be forfeited immediately upon such termination and the Participant shall have no further rights with respect thereto.

 

(d) Dividend and Voting Rights; Share Certificates: The Administrator shall have sole discretion to determine whether a Participant shall have dividend rights, voting rights or other rights as a stockholder with respect to shares subject to a Restricted Award which has not yet vested or been earned. If the Administrator so determines, a certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Award may be issued in the name of the Participant as soon as practicable after the Award has been granted; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall have the right to retain custody of certificates evidencing the shares subject to a Restricted Award and to require the Participant to deliver to the Corporation a stock power, endorsed in blank, with respect to such Award, until such time as the Restricted Award vests (or is forfeited) and is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

 

(e) Nontransferability: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Restricted Awards that have not vested shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, and the recipient of a Restricted Award shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber shares subject to the Award until the Restriction Period has expired and until all conditions to vesting have been met. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with Section 19(g) does not constitute a transfer.

 

11. Performance Awards

 

(a) Grant of Performance Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator may in its discretion grant Performance Awards to such eligible individuals upon such terms and conditions and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. Performance Awards may be in the form of Performance Shares and/or Performance Units. An Award of a Performance Share is a grant of a right to receive shares of Common Stock, the cash value thereof, or a combination thereof (in the Administrator’s discretion), which is contingent upon the achievement of performance or other objectives during a specified period and which has a value on the date of grant equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of

 

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Common Stock. An Award of a Performance Unit is a grant of a right to receive shares of Common Stock or a designated dollar value amount of Common Stock which is contingent upon the achievement of performance or other objectives during a specified period, and which has an initial value determined in a dollar amount established by the Administrator at the time of grant. Subject to Section 5(b), the Administrator shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and/or Performance Shares granted to any Participant. The Administrator shall determine the nature, length and starting date of the period during which a Performance Award may be earned (the “Performance Period”), and shall determine the conditions which must be met in order for a Performance Award to be granted or to vest or be earned (in whole or in part), which conditions may include but are not limited to specified performance objectives, continued service or employment for a certain period of time, or a combination of such conditions. Subject to Section 1(ii), the Administrator shall determine the Performance Measures to be used in valuing Performance Awards.

 

(b) Earning of Performance Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan and the requirements of Code Section 409A, the Administrator shall have sole authority to determine whether and to what degree Performance Awards have been earned and are payable and to interpret the terms and conditions of Performance Awards and the provisions of Section 11. The Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may (subject to any restrictions imposed under Code Section 409A) accelerate the date that any Performance Award granted to a Participant shall be deemed to be earned in whole or in part, without any obligation to accelerate such date with respect to other Awards granted to any Participant.

 

(c) Form of Payment: Payment of the amount to which a Participant shall be entitled upon earning a Performance Award shall be made in cash, shares of Common Stock, or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. Payment may be made in a lump sum or in installments upon such terms as may be established by the Administrator.

 

(d) Forfeiture of Performance Awards: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any restrictions imposed under Code Section 409A), if the employment or service of a Participant shall terminate for any reason and the Participant has not earned all or part of a Performance Award pursuant to the terms of the Plan and individual Award, such Award, to the extent not then earned, shall be forfeited immediately upon such termination and the Participant shall have no further rights with respect thereto.

 

(e) Nontransferability: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Performance Awards that have not been earned shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, and the recipient of a Performance Award shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber any shares subject to the Award until the Performance Period has expired and until the conditions to earning the Award have been met. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with Section 19(g) does not constitute a transfer.

 

12. Phantom Stock Awards

 

(a) Grant of Phantom Stock Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator may in its discretion grant Phantom Stock Awards to such eligible individuals, in such numbers, upon such terms and at such times as the Administrator shall determine. A Phantom Stock Award is an Award to a Participant of a number of hypothetical share units with respect to shares of Common Stock, with a value per unit based on the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock.

 

(b) Vesting of Phantom Stock Awards: Subject to the terms of the Plan and the requirements of Code Section 409A, the Administrator shall have sole authority to determine whether and to what

 

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degree Phantom Stock Awards have vested and are payable and to interpret the terms and conditions of Phantom Stock Awards.

 

(c) Forfeiture of Phantom Stock Awards: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A), if the employment or service of a Participant shall be terminated for any reason and all or any part of a Phantom Stock Award has not vested and become payable pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the individual Award, such Award, to the extent not then vested or earned, shall be forfeited immediately upon such termination and the Participant shall have no further rights with respect thereto.

 

(d) Payment of Phantom Stock Awards: Upon vesting of all or a part of a Phantom Stock Award and satisfaction of such other terms and conditions as may be established by the Administrator, the Participant shall be entitled to a payment of an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock with respect to each such Phantom Stock unit which has vested and is payable. Payment may be made, in the discretion of the Administrator, in cash or in shares of Common Stock valued at their Fair Market Value on the applicable vesting date or dates (or other date or dates determined by the Administrator), or in a combination thereof. The Administrator may, however, establish a limitation on the amount payable in respect of each share of Phantom Stock. Payment may be made in a lump sum or upon such terms as may be established by the Administrator.

 

(e) Nontransferability: Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, (i) Phantom Stock Awards that have not vested shall not be transferable (including by sale, assignment, pledge or hypothecation) other than by will or the laws of intestate succession, (ii) Phantom Stock Awards may be exercised during the Participant’s lifetime only by him or by his guardian or legal representative, and (iii) shares of Common Stock (if any) subject to a Phantom Stock Award may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered until the Phantom Stock Award has vested and all other conditions established by the Administrator have been met. The designation of a beneficiary in accordance with Section 19(g) does not constitute a transfer.

 

13. Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

 

The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide that Awards granted under the Plan earn dividends or dividend equivalents. Such dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid currently or may be credited to a Participant’s account. Any crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents may be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may establish, including reinvestment in additional shares of Common Stock or share equivalents. Notwithstanding the other provisions herein, any dividends or dividend equivalent rights related to an Award shall be structured in a manner so as to avoid causing the Award to be subject to Code Section 409A or shall otherwise be structured so that the Award and dividends or dividend equivalents are in compliance with Code Section 409A.

 

14. No Right or Obligation of Continued Employment or Service

 

Neither the Plan, the grant of an Award nor any other action related to the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the service of the Corporation or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Independent Contractor or to interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation or an Affiliate to terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time.

 

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15. Amendment and Termination of the Plan

 

(a) Amendment and Termination of Plan: The Plan may be amended, altered and/or terminated at any time by the Board; provided, that (i) approval of an amendment to the Plan by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be required to the extent, if any, that stockholder approval of such amendment is required by applicable law, rule or regulation; and (ii) except for adjustments made pursuant to Section 5(d), the Option Price for any outstanding Option or base price of any outstanding SAR may not be decreased after the date of grant, nor may any outstanding Option or SAR be surrendered to the Corporation as consideration for the grant of a new Option or SAR with a lower Option Price or base price than the original Option or SAR, as the case may be, without stockholder approval of any such action.

 

(b) Amendment of Awards: The Administrator may amend, alter or terminate any Award granted under the Plan, prospectively or retroactively, but such amendment, alteration or termination of an Award shall not, without the consent of the recipient of an outstanding Award, materially adversely affect the rights of the recipient with respect to the Award.

 

(c) Unilateral Authority of Administrator to Modify Plan and Awards: Notwithstanding Section 15(a) and Section 15(b) herein, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(i) The Administrator shall have unilateral authority to amend the Plan and any Award (without Participant consent and without stockholder approval, unless such stockholder approval is required by applicable laws, rules or regulations) to the extent necessary to comply with applicable laws, rules or regulations or changes to applicable laws, rules or regulations (including but not limited to Code Section 409A, Code Section 422 and federal securities laws).

 

(ii) The Administrator shall have unilateral authority to make adjustments to the terms and conditions of Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Corporation or any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Corporation or any Affiliate, or of changes in accounting principles, if the Administrator determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable accounting principles.

 

(d) Cash Settlement: Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, an Award or an Award Agreement to the contrary, the Administrator may (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A) cause any Award (or portion thereof) granted under the Plan to be canceled in consideration of an alternative award or cash payment of an equivalent cash value, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, made to the holder of such canceled Award.

 

16. Restrictions on Awards and Shares

 

The Corporation may impose such restrictions on Awards, shares and any other benefits underlying Awards hereunder as it may deem advisable, including without limitation restrictions under the federal securities laws, the requirements of any stock exchange or similar organization and any blue sky, state or foreign securities laws applicable to such securities. Notwithstanding any other Plan provision to the contrary, the Corporation shall not be obligated to issue, deliver or transfer shares of Common Stock under the Plan, make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan, or take any other action, unless such delivery, distribution or action is in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to the requirements of the Securities Act). The Corporation may

 

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cause a restrictive legend to be placed on any certificate issued pursuant to an Award hereunder in such form as may be prescribed from time to time by applicable laws and regulations or as may be advised by legal counsel.

 

17. Change in Control

 

The Administrator shall (subject to any requirements imposed under Code Section 409A) have sole discretion to determine the effect, if any, on an Award, including but not limited to the vesting, earning and/or exercisability of an Award, in the event of a Change in Control. Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator’s discretion shall include, but shall not be limited to, the discretion to determine that an Award shall vest, be earned or become exercisable in whole or in part, shall be assumed or substituted for another award, shall be cancelled without the payment of consideration, shall be cancelled in exchange for a cash payment or other consideration, and/or that other actions (or no action) shall be taken with respect to the Award. The Administrator also has discretion to determine that acceleration or any other effect of a Change in Control on an Award shall be subject to both the occurrence of a Change in Control event and termination of employment or service of the Participant. Any such determination of the Administrator may be, but shall not be required to be, stated in an individual Award Agreement.

 

18. Compliance with Code Section 409A

 

(a) General: Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or an Award to the contrary, if and to the extent that Section 409A of the Code is deemed to apply to the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, it is the general intention of the Corporation that the Plan and all such Awards shall, to the extent practicable, comply with Code Section 409A, and the Plan and any such Award shall, to the extent practicable, be construed in accordance therewith. Deferrals pursuant to an Option, an SAR, a Restricted Award or any other Award otherwise exempt from Code Section 409A in a manner that would cause Code Section 409A to apply shall not be permitted unless such deferrals are in compliance with Code Section 409A. Without in any way limiting the effect of the foregoing, in the event that Code Section 409A requires that any special terms, provisions or conditions be included in the Plan or any Award, then such terms, provisions and conditions shall, to the extent practicable, be deemed to be made a part of the Plan or Award, as applicable. Further, in the event that the Plan or any Award shall be deemed not to comply with Code Section 409A, then neither the Corporation, the Administrator nor its or their designees or agents shall be liable to any Participant or other person for actions, decisions or determinations made in good faith.

 

(b) Specific Terms Applicable to Awards Subject to Code Section 409A: Without limiting the effect of Section 18(a), above, and notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary, the following provisions shall, to the extent required under Code Section 409A, apply with respect to Awards deemed to involve the deferral of compensation under Code Section 409A:

 

(i) Distributions: Distributions may be made with respect to Awards subject to Code Section 409A not earlier than upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (A) separation from service; (B) disability; (C) death; (D) a specified time or pursuant to a fixed schedule; (E) a change in the ownership or effective control of the Corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation; or (F) the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency. Each of the preceding distribution events shall be defined and interpreted in accordance with Code Section 409A.

 

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(ii) Specified Employees: With respect to Participants who are “specified employees” (as defined in Code Section 409A), a distribution due to separation from service may not be made before the date that is six months after the date of separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Participant), except as may be otherwise permitted pursuant to Code Section 409A. To the extent that a Participant is subject to this section and a distribution is to be paid in installments, through an annuity, or in some other manner where payment will be periodic, the Participant shall be paid, during the seventh month following separation from service, the aggregate amount of payments he would have received but for the application of this section; all remaining payments shall be made in their ordinary course.

 

(iii) No Acceleration: Unless permissible under Code Section 409A, acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment under the Plan is prohibited, except that, to the extent permitted by the Administrator and to the extent such exceptions do not violate Code Section 409A, the following accelerations may be permitted in an Award:

 

(A) As necessary to fulfill a domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B));

 

(B) As necessary to comply with a certificate of divestiture (as defined in Code Section 1043(b)(2));

 

(C) To pay the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax imposed under Code Sections 3101 and 3121(v)(2) on amounts deferred under the Plan (the “FICA Amount”), including the income tax at source on wages imposed under Code Section 3401 on the FICA Amount, and to pay the additional income tax at source of wages attributable to additional Code Section 3401 wages and taxes;

 

(D) To pay any portion of an Award that is required to be included in income as a result of a violation of Code Section 409A; and

 

(E) To pay an Award not greater than $10,000, provided that (X) such payment occurs on or before the later of December 31 of the calendar year in which occurs the Participant’s termination of employment or the 15th day of the third month following the Participant’s termination of employment and (Y) all Awards granted the Participant are (or have previously been) terminated on or before the date of payment.

 

(iv) Short-Term Deferrals: Except to the extent otherwise required or permitted under Code Section 409A (and unless an individual Award Agreement or other instrument provides otherwise), distributions pursuant to Awards otherwise subject to Code Section 409A must be made no later than the later of (A) the date that is 2-1/2 months from the end of the Participant’s first taxable year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (B) the date that is 2-1/2 months from the end of the Corporation’s first taxable year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

 

(v) Deferral Elections:

 

(A) In the sole discretion of the Administrator, a Participant may be permitted to make an election as to the time or form of any distribution from an Award, provided that, except as specified in (B) and (C) below, such election is made and becomes irrevocable not later than the close of the taxable year preceding the taxable

 

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year in which the services for which the Award is granted are to be performed, or at such other time or times as may be permitted under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may cancel a deferral election upon (X) a hardship distribution pursuant to Code Section 401(k), or (Y) upon application for a distribution under section 18(b)(i)(F) (unforeseeable emergency).

 

(B) In the case of the first year in which the Participant becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, the election described in (A) may be made with respect to services to be performed subsequent to the election within 30 days after the date the Participant becomes eligible to participate in the Plan.

 

(C) In the case of any performance-based compensation (as that term is defined in Code Section 409A), where such compensation is based on services performed over a period of at least 12 months, the election described in (A) may be made no later than six months before the end of the period.

 

(D) In the case of any Award subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (as defined in Code Section 409A), the election described in (A) may be made within 30 days of the date the Participant first obtains a legally binding right to the Award, provided that the Award requires the Participant to perform at least 12 months of service after such election is made.

 

(vi) Changes to Elections: To the extent that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, permits a subsequent election to delay a payment or change the form of payment that has been specified under (A), (B) or (C) above, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(A) Such election may not take effect until 12 months after the date on which the election is made;

 

(B) Where the payment is to be made for reasons other than death, disability or unforeseeable emergency, as those terms are defined in Section 18(b)(i), above, the first payment with respect to which such election is made must be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made; and

 

(C) Any election related to a payment based upon a specified term or pursuant to a fixed schedule, as such terms are defined in Section 18(b)(i), above, may not be made less than 12 months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment hereunder.

 

Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 18(b)(vi) to the contrary and consistent with Code Section 409A, the Administrator may elect, or may allow the Participant to elect, on or before December 31, 2006, the time or form of payment of amounts subject to Code Section 409A, provided that any such election occurring in 2006 shall apply only to amounts that are not otherwise payable in 2006 and does not cause an amount to be paid in 2006 that would not otherwise be payable in that year.

 

(vii) Delay of Time of Payment. Notwithstanding section 18(b)(i), above, the payment of any Award shall be delayed for the following reasons:

 

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(A) Where the Corporation reasonably anticipates that any deduction provided to it by payment of the Award to the Participant will be limited or eliminated by Code Section 162(m); in such a case, payment will be made as of the earlier of when the Administrator reasonably anticipates that the Corporation’s deduction under Code Section 162(m) will not be so limited or the calendar year in which the Participant separates from service;

 

(B) Where the Corporation reasonably anticipates the payment of the Award will violate a term of a loan arrangement or any other similar contractual provision and the violation will cause material harm to the Corporation; in such a case, payment will be made at the earliest date at which the Administrator reasonably anticipates that payment will not cause such a violation; and

 

(C) Where the Corporation reasonably anticipates that payment of the Award will violate federal securities laws or other applicable laws; in such a case, payment will be made at the earliest date when the Administrator reasonably anticipates that payment will not cause such a violation.

 

(viii) Termination of Awards Subject to Code Section 409A. As permitted by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and in accordance with Code Section 409A, the Corporation may terminate an Award that is subject to Code Section 409A and distribute benefits to Participants.

 

19. General Provisions

 

(a) Stockholder Rights: Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator (and subject to the provisions of Section 10(d) regarding Restricted Awards), a Participant and his legal representative, legatees or distributees shall not be deemed to be the holder of any shares subject to an Award and shall not have any rights of a stockholder unless and until certificates for such shares have been issued and delivered to him or them under the Plan. A certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Option or SAR shall be promptly issued in the name of the Participant (or his beneficiary) and distributed to the Participant (or his beneficiary) as soon as practicable following receipt of notice of exercise and, with respect to Options, payment of the Option Price (except as may otherwise be determined by the Corporation in the event of payment of the Option Price pursuant to Section 7(d)(ii)(C)). Except as otherwise provided in Section 10(d) regarding Restricted Awards, a certificate for any shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to a Restricted Award, Performance Award or Phantom Stock Award shall be promptly issued in the name of the Participant (or his beneficiary) and distributed to the Participant (or his beneficiary) after the Award (or portion thereof) has vested or been earned. In no event will the issuance of certificates pursuant to the exercise of Options, settlement of SARs in shares of Common Stock, vesting of Restricted Awards or vesting of other Awards otherwise exempt from Code Section 409A be delayed in a manner that would cause the Award to be construed to involve the deferral of compensation under Code Section 409A unless such deferral is in compliance with Code Section 409A.

 

(b) Withholding: The Corporation shall withhold all required local, state, federal, foreign and other taxes and any other amount required to be withheld by any governmental authority or law from any amount payable in cash with respect to an Award. Prior to the delivery or transfer of any certificate for shares or any other benefit conferred under the Plan, the Corporation shall require any recipient of an Award to pay to the Corporation in cash the amount of any tax or other amount required by any governmental authority to be withheld and paid over by the Corporation to such authority for the account

 

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of such recipient. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may establish procedures to permit a recipient to satisfy such obligation in whole or in part, and any local, state, federal, foreign or other income tax obligations relating to such an Award, by electing (the “election”) to have the Corporation withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares to which the recipient is entitled. The number of shares to be withheld shall have a Fair Market Value as of the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined as nearly equal as possible to (but not exceeding) the amount of such obligations being satisfied. Each election must be made in writing to the Administrator in accordance with election procedures established by the Administrator.

 

(c) Section 16(b) Compliance: To the extent that any Participants in the Plan are subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, it is the general intention of the Corporation that transactions under the Plan shall comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and that the Plan shall be construed in favor of such Plan transactions meeting the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or any successor rules thereto. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may bifurcate the Plan so as to restrict, limit or condition the use of any provision of the Plan to Participants who are officers or directors subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act without so restricting, limiting or conditioning the Plan with respect to other Participants.

 

(d) Code Section 162(m) Performance-Based Compensation. To the extent to which Section 162(m) of the Code is applicable, the Corporation intends that compensation paid under the Plan to Covered Employees will, to the extent practicable, constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m), unless otherwise determined by the Administrator. Accordingly, Awards granted to Covered Employees which are intended to qualify for the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) shall be deemed to include any such additional terms, conditions, limitations and provisions as are necessary to comply with the performance-based compensation exemption of Section 162(m), unless the Administrator, in its discretion, determines otherwise.

 

(e) Unfunded Plan; No Effect on Other Plans:

 

(i) The Plan shall be unfunded, and the Corporation shall not be required to create a trust or segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Awards under the Plan. The Plan shall not establish any fiduciary relationship between the Corporation and any Participant or other person. Neither a Participant nor any other person shall, by reason of the Plan, acquire any right in or title to any assets, funds or property of the Corporation or any Affiliate, including, without limitation, any specific funds, assets or other property which the Corporation or any Affiliate, in their discretion, may set aside in anticipation of a liability under the Plan. A Participant shall have only a contractual right to the Common Stock or other amounts, if any, payable under the Plan, unsecured by any assets of the Corporation or any Affiliate. Nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a guarantee that the assets of such entities shall be sufficient to pay any benefits to any person.

 

(ii) The amount of any compensation deemed to be received by a Participant pursuant to an Award shall not constitute compensation with respect to which any other employee benefits of such Participant are determined, including, without limitation, benefits under any bonus, pension, profit sharing, life insurance or salary continuation plan, except as otherwise specifically provided by the terms of such plan or as may be determined by the Administrator.

 

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(iii) The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other stock incentive or other compensation plans in effect for the Corporation or any Affiliate, nor shall the Plan preclude the Corporation from establishing any other forms of stock incentive or other compensation for employees or service providers of the Corporation or any Affiliate.

 

(f) Applicable Law: The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions of any state, and in accordance with applicable federal laws of the United States.

 

(g) Beneficiary Designation: The Administrator may permit a Participant to designate in writing a person or persons as beneficiary, which beneficiary shall be entitled to receive settlement of Awards (if any) to which the Participant is otherwise entitled in the event of death. In the absence of such designation by a Participant, and in the event of the Participant’s death, the estate of the Participant shall be treated as beneficiary for purposes of the Plan, unless the Administrator determines otherwise. The Administrator shall have sole discretion to approve and interpret the form or forms of such beneficiary designation. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent that the Plan and/or Award Agreement provide otherwise, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator.

 

(h) Gender and Number: Except where otherwise indicated by the context, words in any gender shall include any other gender, words in the singular shall include the plural and words in the plural shall include the singular.

 

(i) Severability: If any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

 

(j) Rules of Construction: Headings are given to the sections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. The reference to any statute, regulation or other provision of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law.

 

(k) Successors and Assigns: The Plan shall be binding upon the Corporation, its successors and assigns, and Participants, their executors, administrators and permitted transferees and beneficiaries.

 

(l) Right of Offset: Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement, the Corporation may reduce the amount of any payment or benefit otherwise payable to or on behalf of a Participant by the amount of any obligation of the Participant to the Corporation that is or becomes due and payable.

 

(m) Effect of Changes in Status: Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, determined by the Administrator or required by Code Section 409A, an Award shall not be affected by any change in the terms, conditions or status of the Participant’s employment or service, provided that the Participant continues to be in the employ of, or in service to, the Corporation or an Affiliate. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator has sole discretion to determine, subject to Code Section 409A, at the time of grant of an Award or at any time thereafter, the effect, if any, on Awards granted to a Participant if the Participant’s status as an Employee, Director or Independent Contractor changes, including but not limited to a change from full-time to part-time, or vice versa, or if other similar changes in the nature or scope of the Participant’s employment or service occur.

 

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(n) Fractional Shares: Except as otherwise provided by the Plan or the Administrator, (i) the total number of shares issuable pursuant to the exercise, vesting or earning of an Award shall be rounded under general rounding principles to the nearest whole share (except where rounding down is required in order to preserve intended tax treatment or otherwise required by applicable law, rule or regulation), (ii) no fractional shares shall be issued, and (iii) no consideration shall be paid for any such fractional shares.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Targacept, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, is, by the authority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, executed in behalf of the Corporation, effective the 10th day of April, 2006.

 

TARGACEPT, INC.
By:  

/s/ J. Donald deBethizy

Name:   J. Donald deBethizy
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

ATTEST:

 

 

/s/ Alan A. Musso                            

Secretary

 

[Corporate Seal]

 

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