UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 22, 2021
AVITA Medical, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-39059 | 85-1021707 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
28159 Avenue Stanford, Suite 220, Valencia, CA 91355 |
661.367.9170 | |||
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code) | (Registrants telephone number, including area code) |
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share | RCEL | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
AVITA Medical, Inc. (the Company) entered into an Executive Employment Agreement (the Agreement) with Michael Holder, with an effective date of March 22, 2021 (the Effective Date) as described in Item 5.02 below, which description shall be incorporated into this Item 1.01.
The description of the terms of the Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Agreement, filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On March 22, 2021, the Company announced the appointment of Michael Holder as Chief Financial Officer, effective March 22, 2021. Mr. Holder will assume responsibility for overseeing the global finance, accounting, M&A, and investor relations functions and will be based in the Companys Valencia office in California. Mr. Holder is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience having served in senior financial, executive management, and board roles with leading private and public companies in the medtech, biotech, and pharma related industries. Most recently, Mr. Holder served as Chief Financial Officer with ImmuneCyte, Inc., a global clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with innovative cell and gene immune-oncology therapeutics. Prior to ImmuneCyte, Inc. Mr. Holder was Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager at Carolina Longevity Institute, LLC, a global investment company focused on investments in medtech, biotech and pharma companies that improve health span and longevity. Prior to Carolina Longevity Institute, LLC, Mr. Holder was initially Chief Financial Officer and later Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Organ Transport Systems, Inc., a medical device company, where he built the company from early stage through multiple financing rounds as well as research, regulatory, and commercial launch activities. Prior to Organ Transport Systems, Inc., Mr. Holder was the Chief Financial Officer of three public or private medtech and pharma related companies. Mr. Holder holds a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina., and previously obtained his CPA.
A copy of the Companys press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Executive Employment Agreement
The Company entered into the Agreement with Mr. Holder, effective as of March 22, 2021, related to Mr. Holders service as the Chief Financial Officer. The Agreement has no specified term and will be on an at-will basis.
Base Salary. Mr. Holder will be paid an annual base salary of $425,000.00 per year, subject to applicable tax deductions and withholdings, beginning on the Effective Date of the Agreement and payable in regular installments in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company. Mr. Holders salary will be subject to annual review by the Companys Board of Directors and may be increased in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.
Annual Performance Bonus. In addition to the base salary, Mr. Holder shall be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus based upon the Companys performance and Mr. Holders performance for the preceding year as measured against certain performance targets as mutually established. The annual performance bonus, if earned, shall be paid on or around the March timeframe of the following year. The amount of the annual performance bonus shall be 40% of Mr. Holders base salary. For 2021, Mr. Holder will be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus of up to 40% of the pro-rata share of the base salary (excluding any other bonus or compensation) Mr. Holder earned in 2021. At the sole discretion of the Companys Board of Directors, Mr. Holder may be entitled to an additional amount of up to 50% of annual performance bonus based upon performance. For the annual performance bonus to be deemed earned, and in order to be eligible and entitled to receive any annual performance bonus payment, Mr. Holder must be employed by and not have given notice of resignation to the Company or have been given notice of termination by the Company at the time the annual performance bonus is determined and paid to Mr. Holder.
Relocation Expense. Mr. Holder shall be given a lump sum of $30,000 grossed up as subject to applicable federal, state, local taxes, and withholdings. Mr. Holder will be required to move to the Valencia area upon the opening up of business by the Governor of California or when employees are required to return to the workplace, whichever is earlier. Mr. Holder will be required to reimburse the Company in full should he fail to relocate to the Valencia area within three (3) months of the Company returning to the workplace following the current pandemic.
Equity. Subject to approval of the Companys Board of Directors, Mr. Holder shall be eligible for 150,000 options which will vest as follows: 112,500 options will vest based on Mr. Holder achieving certain established metrics as agreed upon between Mr. Holder and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company; 37,500 options will vest based on Mr. Holders continued employment with the Company at a rate of 9,375 per year for four (4) years, commencing with the first 9,375 option installment, which will vest upon the completion of Mr. Holders first year of service. Any such equity grants shall be subject to the terms of a Share Purchase Agreement and the Companys 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which will be provided to Mr. Holder within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date.
The description of the terms of the Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Agreement, filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Indemnification Agreement
In connection with Mr. Holders appointment as Chief Financial Officer described above, the Company has entered into an indemnification agreement with Mr. Holder in the form previously adopted by the Companys Board of Directors for entry into with the Companys directors and executive officers, which generally provides for the indemnification of such persons for all reasonable expenses and liabilities, including attorneys fees, judgments, penalties, fines and settlement amounts, incurred in connection with any action or proceeding brought against them by reason of the fact that they are or were serving in such capacity, to the extent indemnifiable under the law. The foregoing description of the Companys standard form of indemnification agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text thereof, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K12B filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit |
Description of Exhibit | |
10.1 | Executive Employment Agreement with Michael Holder. | |
99.1 | Press Release of AVITA Medical, Inc. dated March 22, 2021. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 22, 2021
AVITA MEDICAL, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Donna Shiroma | |
Name: | Donna Shiroma | |
Title: | General Counsel |
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the Agreement) is made and entered into by and between AVITA Medical, Inc. and AVITA Medical Americas, LLC. (collectively, the Company) and Michael Holder, an individual (the Executive) with reference to the following:
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to serve in the role of Chief Financial Officer of the Company and provide services to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates under the terms and conditions stated herein,
WHEREAS, the Executive would serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective as of March 22, 2021 (the Effective Date),
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein, and intending to be legally bound, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
1. | Employment and Duties |
1.1 Employment. The Company hereby employs the Executive as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Executive hereby accepts such employment as of the Effective Date pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Executive shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
1.2 Duties. The Executive shall perform, to the best of h is ability and in a manner satisfactory to the CEO, all such duties that are consistent with Executives title and position, and such other duties as may reasonably be assigned to him by the CEO. The Executives duties will be conducted principally from the Companys North America office, currently located in Valencia, California, or at such other location as determined by the CEO (but subject to the terms of this Agreement), with travel to such other locations from time to time as reasonably required.
1.3 Time and Efforts. The Executive shall devote his full business time and provide his best efforts, attention, and energies to the business of the Company, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and to the performance of Executives duties hereunder, and Executive shall not engage in any other business, profession or occupation for compensation or otherwise during the employment period without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors (the Board); provided that, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from serving in any capacity with any civic, educational, or charitable organization, and provided, further that, in each case, and in the aggregate, such services do not materially conflict or interfere with Executives obligations to the Company, and its subsidiaries and affiliates hereunder and such service is disclosed in advance by Executive to the Board. Notwithstanding the above, the Executive may serve as outside
director of up to two (2) corporate or advisory boards subject to CEO approval and provided that such service does not materially conflict or interfere with Executives obligations to the Company and there are no real or perceived conflicts of interest.
Executive further acknowledges that he owes the Company both a fiduciary duty and a duty of loyalty while employed during the employment period to act at all times in the best interests of the Company, and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
2. | Compensation |
As the total consideration for the Executives services rendered hereunder, Executive shall be entitled to the following:
2.1 Base Salary. The Executive shall be paid an annual base salary of Four Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($425,000.00) per year (Base Salary), subject to applicable tax deductions and withholdings, beginning on the Effective Date of the Agreement and payable in regular installments in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company. The Executives salary will be subject to annual review by the Board and may be increased in the sole discretion of the Board.
2.2 Bonus and Relocation Expenses.
(a) Annual Performance Bonus. In addition to Base Salary, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual performance bonus (Annual Bonus) based upon the Companys performance and Executives performance for the preceding year as measured against certain performance targets as mutually established by the parties to this Agreement as determined by the Board and CEO. The Annual Bonus, if earned, shall be paid on or around the March timeframe of the following year. The amount of the Annual Bonus shall be forty percent (40%) of Executives Base Salary (Target Bonus). For 2021, Executive will be eligible to receive an Annual Bonus of up to forty percent (40%) of the pro-rata share of the Base Salary (excluding any other bonus or compensation) Executive earned in 2021. At the sole discretion of the Board, Executive may be entitled to an additional amount of up to fifty percent (50%) of the Target Bonus based upon performance. For the Annual Bonus to be deemed earned, and in order to be eligible and entitled to receive any Annual Bonus payment, the Executive must be employed by, and not have given notice of resignation to the Company, or have been given notice of termination by the Company at the time the Annual Bonus is determined and paid to Executive.
(b) Relocation Expenses. Executive shall be given a lump sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) grossed up as subject to applicable federal, state, local taxes, and withholdings. Executive will be required to move to the Valencia area upon the opening up of businesses by the Governor of California or when employees are required to return to the workplace, whichever is earlier. Executive will be required to reimburse the Company in full should he fail to relocate to the Valencia area within three (3) months of the Company returning to the workplace following the current pandemic.
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2.3 Equity. Subject to approval of the Companys Board, Executive shall be eligible for 150,000 options which will vest as follows:
| 112,500 options will vest based upon Executive achieving certain established metrics as agreed upon between Executive and the CEO; |
| 37,500 options will vest based on Executives continued employment with the Company at a rate of 9,375 per year for four (4) years, commencing with the first 9,375 option installment, which will vest upon the completion of Executives first year of service. |
Any such equity grants shall be subject to the terms of a Share Option Agreement and the governing equity plan which will be provided to the Executive within thirty (30) days of his Effective Date. In addition, Executive shall be eligible for the annual equity grants under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan once the plan has been implemented.
2.4 Business Expenses. During employment, the Executive is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in connection with the performance of Executives duties, subject to proper documentation and approval as required pursuant to the applicable Company expense reimbursement policies.
2.5 Fringe Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the plans, practices, programs and policies applicable to other peer executives of the Company.
2.6 Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled each year to a vacation, during which time his compensation shall be paid in full. The time allotted for such vacation shall be four (4) weeks per year. Executive can accrue up to six (6) weeks of vacation time, at which point no additional vacation may accrue beyond the six (6) weeks until a portion thereof is used. Any accrued vacation will roll over into the following calendar year and will not be forfeited. The Executive agrees to schedule planned vacation to be taken at a time mutually convenient to the Executive, CEO, and the Company.
2.7 Health Insurance and Benefits. The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Companys health, dental and vision plans, as well as the Companys 401k program, pursuant to the terms of these plans and programs.
3. | Term and Termination of Employment |
3.1 At-Will Employment. The Company and the Executive hereby agree that the Executives employment by the Company shall be at-will and for an indefinite period of time. Subject to the provisions of this Section, both the Executive and the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without Cause, with or without Good Reason, and with or without advance notice.
3.2 Definitions.
(a) Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following: (i) conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) participation in an act of fraud
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or theft against the Company; (iii) willful and material breach of any contractual, statutory, fiduciary, or common law duty owed to the Company including without limitation Section 4.1 of this Agreement; (iv) intentional and repeated failure of Executive to perform Executives job duties after receiving notice of the stated deficiencies and Executive willfully failing to address the deficiencies and deliberately continuing to not perform stated job duties; or (v) any willful, deliberate, premeditated act by Executive that materially and demonstrably injures the reputation, business, or a business relationship of the Company.
(b) Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall mean: (i) a material diminution in Executives authority, duties, or responsibilities in effect at the time of this Agreement; (ii) any reduction in the Executives then-current base salary; (iii) relocation of Executives principal place of work by a distance of fifty (50) miles or more from the Executives then-current principal place of work without the Executives consent; (iv) material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement; or (v) the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company as defined in Section 3.2(c) below, provided, however, that the conduct described in the foregoing subsections (i) through (iv) will only constitute Good Reason if such conduct is not cured within thirty (30) days after the Companys receipt of written notice from the Executive specifying the particulars of the conduct the Executive believes constitutes Good Reason and such notice shall be given within thirty (30) days of the occurrence of such event or conduct.
(c) Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control shall mean any of the following events occurring after the date of this Agreement: (i) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (ii) any merger, consolidation or acquisition of the Company with, by or into another corporation, entity or person; (iii) any change in ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting capital stock of Company in one or more related transactions such as a buy out or exit of the Company (but excluding any change in stock listing).
3.3 Termination.
(a) Termination for Cause or Resignation without Good Reason. In the event that the Company terminates the Executives employment for Cause or the Executive resigns his employment without Good Reason, this Agreement will terminate without further obligations to Executive other than the following: Executive shall be entitled to receive his unpaid base salary earned through his last day of employment, accrued but unused vacation pay, and vested benefits through and including Executives last day of employment.
(b) Involuntary Termination Without Cause or Resignation With Good Reason. In the event of either an involuntary termination of the Executives employment Without Cause or a voluntary resignation by the Executive for Good Reason, in exchange for the Executive signing a separation and release of all claims agreement in a form acceptable to the Company, the Company shall provide the Executive with the following severance benefits in accordance with the timing set forth in Section 3.3(b)(v) below:
(i) | Base Salary: The Company shall pay the Executive the equivalent of nine (9) months of the Executives annual base salary in effect at the time of the termination Without Cause or resignation with Good Reason in one lump sum payment, less standard deductions and withholdings. |
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(ii) | Three Months Notice: The Company shall provide the Executive three (3) months prior written notice in the event of an involuntary termination of the Executives employment Without Cause or a voluntary resignation by the Executive for Good Reason. |
(iii) | Benefits Coverage. The Company shall continue to provide group health, vision, and dental plan benefits to the Executive for a period of nine (9) months from and after the date of termination, with the cost of all regular premiums for such benefits paid by the Company (or its successor). |
(iv) | Equity. Executives stock options shall immediately accelerate so that 100% of any then unvested stock options shall immediately vest and become exercisable upon the date of Executives termination Without Cause or resignation with Good Reason and shall continue to be exercisable for three (3) months |
(v) | Timing of Payments. The severance benefits in the above subsection 3.3(b)(i) shall be paid to Executive no later than fifteen (15) days from the date the Executive signs the severance and release agreement and the revocation period, if any, has expired. |
(c) Termination or Resignation In Connection With Change In Control. In the event Executive is terminated or resigns in connection with or within one (1) year following a Change in Control or for Good Reason as defined in 3.2(b) and 3.2(c), respectively, the Executive shall be entitled to all of the severance benefits set forth in Section 3.3(b) above.
4. | Proprietary Information |
The Executive acknowledges that: (i) the Executive has a major responsibility for the operation, development and growth of the Companys business, and its subsidiaries and affiliates; (ii) the Executives work for the Company, and its subsidiaries, and affiliates has brought the Executive and will continue to bring the Executive into close contact with Confidential Information (as defined below); and (iii) the agreements and covenants contained in this Section 4 are essential to protect the business interests of the Company, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and that the Company will not enter into this Agreement but for such agreements and covenants. Accordingly, the Executive covenants and agrees to the following:
4.1 Confidential Information. Both during the term of the Executives employment under this Agreement and indefinitely after the Executive is no longer employed as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) knowingly use for an improper personal benefit any Confidential Information that was acquired by,
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learned by or disclosed to Executive by reason of the Executives employment as Chief Financial Officer of the Company (before or after the date of this Agreement), or (ii) disclose any such Confidential Information to any person, business or entity, except in the proper course of the Executives duties as Chief Financial Officer, of the Company. As used in this Agreement, Confidential Information means any and all confidential or proprietary information of the Company, and its subsidiaries and affiliates that is not generally known to the public, including, without limitation, business, financial, marketing, technical, developmental, operating, performance, know-how, and process information, drawings and designs, customer information (including contact information, pricing and buying trends and needs), employee information (including the skills, abilities and compensation of other employees), and other trade secret information, now existing or hereafter discovered or developed. Confidential Information shall include information in any form whatsoever, including, without limitation, any digital or electronic record-bearing media containing or disclosing such information. The provisions of this Section 4 shall not apply to information that has become generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the Executive. In the event that the Executive is requested or required (by oral question or request for information or documents in any legal proceeding, interrogatory, subpoena, civil investigative demand, or similar process) to disclose any Confidential Information, then the Executive will notify the Company within two (2) business days of receiving the request or requirement so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order. If, in the absence of a protective order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, the Executive is, on the advice of counsel, compelled to disclose any Confidential Information to any tribunal or else stand liable for contempt, the Executive may disclose such Confidential Information to the tribunal; provided, however, that the Executive shall use the Executives reasonable best efforts to obtain, at the expense and reasonable request of the Company, an order or other assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such portion of the Confidential Information required to be disclosed as the Company shall designate. The Executive acknowledges that all Confidential Information is the exclusive property of the Company. The Executive further acknowledges that the Executives entire work product, including working drafts and work sheets, shall be the sole property of the Company, and that the Executive will have no rights, title or interest in any such material whether prepared by the Executive alone, by others or by the Executive in conjunction with others. Executive agrees as a condition of continued employment to execute the Companys Proprietary Information Agreement protecting the trade secrets and other intellectual property of the Company. Defend Trade Secrets Act Notice. Executive is hereby notified in accordance with the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 that he will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (i) is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding. Executive is further notified that if Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law, Executive may disclose the employers trade secrets to Executives attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if Executive: (i) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (ii) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
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4.2 Duty of Loyalty and Non-Competition. While employed by the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, participate, directly or indirectly, as an individual proprietor, partner, stockholder, officer, employee, director, manager, joint venture participant, investor, lender, consultant or in any capacity whatsoever (within the United States of America, or in any country where the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates do business or have reasonable plans to do business) in a business engaged in competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or in a business that the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates has taken reasonable steps to engage in (including, but not limited to, meeting with management teams or entering into preliminary or definitive term sheets, letters of intent, purchase agreements, or other similar arrangements or agreements) of which the Executive has knowledge at the time of Executives employment; provided, however, that such participation shall not include the mere ownership of not more than one percent (1%) of the total outstanding stock of a publicly held company. At all times following the termination of Executives employment as Chief Financial Officer of the Company for any reason, Executive shall not, either directly or indirectly, engage in any unlawful competitive activities or use confidential trade secret information for any purpose.
4.3 Non-Solicitation. For a period beginning on the Effective Date and ending two (2) years after the date on which the Executive is no longer employed as Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the Non-Solicitation Period), the Executive shall not in any capacity, either separately or in association with others: (i) unlawfully solicit for employment or endeavor in any way to unlawfully entice away from employment with the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates any employee of the Company, its subsidiaries or its affiliates, or any person or entity that had been an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates within the six (6) month period preceding the commencement of such activity; nor (ii) use confidential trade secret information to solicit or use any other unlawful means to induce or influence any supplier, customer, agent, consultant or other person or entity that has a business relationship with the Company, or its subsidiaries or affiliates to discontinue, reduce or modify such relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates.
4.4 Non-disparagement. The Executive agrees (whether during or after Executives employment as Chief Financial Officer of the Company) not to issue, circulate, publish or utter any comments or statements to the press or other media, or to any third parties, or to any employees of the Company, and its subsidiaries and affiliates, or any consultants or any individual or entity with whom the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates has a business relationship, which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any manner: (i) the conduct of the business of the Company, or its subsidiaries or affiliates (including, without limitation, any products, services, or business plans or prospects); or (ii) the business reputation of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates (including its financial condition or the direction of the business), or any of their respective products or services, or their past or present officers, directors, executives or employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Agreement will be deemed to restrict Executive from providing truthful information to any governmental or regulatory agency (or in any way limit the content of any such information) to the extent requested or required to provide such information pursuant to applicable law or regulation. Nothing in this section is intended to limit Executives rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.
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4.5 Return of Property. Upon termination of his employment as Chief Financial Officer of the Company or at any time as the Company requests, the Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all documents (whether prepared by the Company, a subsidiary, an affiliate, the Executive or a third party) relating to the Company, any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any of their businesses or property that the Executive may possess or have under the Executives direction or control other than documents provided to the Executive in the Executives capacity as a participant in any employee benefit plan, policy or program of the Company.
4.6 Remedies. The Executive acknowledges that (i) the Executive has had an opportunity to seek the advice of counsel in connection with this Agreement; (ii) the provisions of this Section 4 are reasonable in scope and in all other respects; (iii) any violation of these provisions will result in irreparable injury to the Company; (iv) money damages may not be an adequate remedy for the Company in the event of a breach of any of these provisions by the Executive; and (v) specific performance in the form of injunctive relief would be an appropriate remedy for the Company. If the Executive breaches or threatens to breach any of these provisions, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies, to seek an injunction restraining any such breach, without any bond or other security being required and without the necessity of showing actual damages.
5. | Assignment |
This Agreement is personal in nature, and neither this Agreement nor any part of any obligation herein shall be assignable by Executive. The Company shall be entitled to assign this Agreement to any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or any entity that assumes the ownership and control of the business of the Company.
6. | Severability |
Should any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement be held to be void or invalid, the same shall not affect any other term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement, but such remainder shall continue in full force and effect as though each such voided term, provision, covenant or condition is not contained herein.
7. | Binding Arbitration |
Any and all disputes which involve or relate in any way to this Agreement and/or to Executives employment or termination of employment as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, whether initiated by Executive or by the Company and whether based on contract, tort, statute, or common law, shall be submitted to and resolved by final, binding and confidential arbitration as the exclusive method for resolving all such disputes. The arbitration shall be private and confidential and conducted in Los Angeles, California pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act and applicable California law, and pursuant to the applicable rules of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) relating to employment disputes, unless the parties otherwise mutually agree to modify the JAMS Rules. A copy of the AAA Employment Rules are available for review at https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration and are incorporated herein by reference.
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The party demanding arbitration shall submit a written claim to the other party, setting out the basis of the claim or claims, within the time period of any applicable statute of limitations relating to such claim(s). If the parties cannot mutually agree upon an arbitrator, then the parties shall select a neutral arbitrator through the procedures established by the AAA. The arbitrator shall have the powers provided under the Federal Arbitration Act relating to the arbitration of disputes, except as expressly limited or otherwise provided in this Agreement. The parties shall have the right to reasonable discovery. The parties agree that the Company shall pay the administration costs of the AAA arbitration, including payment of the fees for the Arbitrator, and any other costs directly related to the administration of the arbitration. The parties shall otherwise be responsible for their own respective costs and attorneys fees relating to the dispute, such as deposition costs, expert witnesses and similar expenses, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement to the prevailing party.
The arbitrator may award, if properly proven, any damages or remedy that a party could recover in a civil litigation and shall award costs and reasonable attorneys fees to the prevailing party as provided by law. The award of the arbitrator shall be issued in writing, setting forth the basis for the decision, and shall be binding on the parties to the fullest extent permitted by law, subject to any limited statutory right to appeal as provided by law. Judgment upon the award of the arbitrator may be entered in any state or federal court sitting in Los Angeles, California.
Nothing in this Section shall prevent Executive from filing or maintaining a claim for workers compensation, state disability insurance, or unemployment insurance benefits, and nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent or excuse Executive or the Company from using existing internal procedures for the resolution of complaints. Employee may bring claims before administrative agencies when the law permits the agency to adjudicate those claims, even when there is an agreement to arbitrate; examples include claims or charges with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (or comparable state agency), the National Labor Relations Board, the U.S. Department of Labor, or the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Nothing in this Section shall require arbitration of disputes that are excluded from coverage by this section or by law.
The Company and Executive agree that any dispute in arbitration will be brought on an individual basis only, and not on a class, collective, or representative basis on behalf of others (this agreement to be referred to hereafter as the Class Action Waiver). The Class Action Waiver does not apply to any claim that Executive brings on behalf of both herself and others under the California Private Attorney General Act of 2004. Executive will not be subject to any retaliation or discrimination if Executive seeks to challenge this arbitration provision or participate in a class, collective, or representative action in any forum, but Company may lawfully seek enforcement of this Agreement under the Federal Arbitration Act and seek dismissal of any class, collective, or representative actions or claims to the fullest extent allowed by law.
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8. | Governing Law |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to contracts made and to be carried out in California. Each of the parties agrees to submit to the personal jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in Los Angeles, California in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
9. | Notice |
All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and mailed, telegraphed, telecopied, or delivered by hand (by a party or a recognized courier service) to the other party at the following address (or to such other address as such party may have specified by notice given to the other party pursuant to this provision):
If to the Company:
AVITA Medical Americas, LLC
28159 Avenue Stanford
Suite 220
Valencia, CA 91355
If to Executive:
Michael Holder
At current home address on file with the Company
10. | Miscellaneous |
10.1 Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company, its successors and assigns.
10.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and the parties hereto have made no agreements, representations or warranties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement that are not set forth otherwise herein. In this regard, each of the parties represents and warrants to the other party that such party is not relying on any promises or representations that do not appear in writing herein. This Agreement supersedes any prior verbal or written agreements with the Company regarding Executives employment or offer of employment, except as specifically referenced herein. Each of the parties further agrees and understands that this Agreement can be amended or modified only by a written agreement signed by all parties.
10.3 Representations and Warranties. Executive and the Company hereby represent and warrant to the other that: (a) he or it has full power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to perform his or its obligations hereunder; (b) such execution, delivery and performance will not (and with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would not) result in the breach of any agreements or other obligations to which he or it is a party or he or it is otherwise bound; (c) this Agreement is a valid and binding obligation in accordance with its terms for both parties; (d) Executive represents and warrants that he is under no other obligations, contractual or otherwise, that could impair his
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ability to perform fully and satisfactorily all of his obligations under this Agreement; (e) Executive has had full opportunity to review this Agreement, to obtain all legal advice he has deemed necessary or appropriate and has either done so, or voluntarily and knowingly declined to do so; and (f) neither party has been induced to enter into this Agreement through any promises, threats, coercion, or benefits not set forth expressly in writing in this Agreement.
10.4 Attorneys Fees. In the event that any party shall bring an action or proceeding in connection with the performance, breach or interpretation of this Agreement, then the prevailing party in any such action or proceeding, as determined by the court , arbitrator or other body having jurisdiction, shall be entitled to recover from the losing party all reasonable costs and expenses of such action or proceeding, including reasonable attorneys fees and court costs.
10.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed on separate copies, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
[Signatures to follow on next page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed as of March 11, 2021.
COMPANY | ||||
AVITA Medical, Inc. and AVITA Medical Americas, LLC | ||||
By: | /s/ Dr. Michael S. Perry | |||
Name: | Dr. Michael S. Perry | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |||
Date: | March 12, 2021 | |||
and | ||||
EXECUTIVE | ||||
Michael Holder | ||||
By: | /s/ Michael Holder | |||
Date: | March 11, 2021 |
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Exhibit 99.1
AVITA Medical, Inc. Names Michael Holder as Chief Financial Officer
March 22, 2021
VALENCIA, Calif. and MELBOURNE, Australia, March 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) AVITA Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCEL; ASX: AVH) (AVITA Medical), a regenerative medicine company that is developing and commercializing a technology platform that enables point-of-care autologous skin restoration for multiple unmet needs, announced today the appointment of Michael Holder as Chief Financial Officer effective March 22, 2021. Mr. Holder will assume responsibility for overseeing the global finance, accounting, M&A, and investor relations functions and will be based in AVITAs Valencia office in California.
Michaels extensive background in finance, M&A, business development, strategy, and operations, along with his demonstrated track record of creating and realizing shareholder value for private and public companies in the cell and gene therapy and other industries, will certainly strengthen our leadership team, said Dr. Mike Perry, AVITA Medicals Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Holder commented, I am excited to join the AVITA Medical team. I believe the opportunity for growth at Avita Medical is tremendous given its initial FDA approved burn indication, promising clinical portfolio, development pipeline, M&A related opportunities, and its smart and dedicated team operating with Dr. Perrys leadership.
A seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience, Mr. Holder has served in senior financial, executive management, and board roles with leading private and public companies in the medtech, biotech, and pharma related industries. Most recently, he served as Chief Financial Officer with ImmuneCyte, Inc., a global clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with innovative cell and gene immune-oncology therapeutics. At ImmuneCyte, Inc., Mr. Holder led preparations for a major IPO or SPAC transaction and was responsible for the development of financial team and infrastructure capital raises, M&A, and external audits.
Prior to ImmuneCyte, Inc., Mr. Holder was CEO and Portfolio Manager at Carolina Longevity Institute, LLC, a global investment company focused on investments in medtech, biotech and pharma companies that improve healthspan and longevity. At Carolina Longevity Institute, LLC, Mr. Holder managed all investment, financial, administrative, corporate development, and operational activities. Prior to Carolina Longevity Institute, LLC, Mr. Holder was initially CFO and later Chairman and CEO at Organ Transport Systems, Inc., a medical device company, where he built the company from early stage through multiple financing rounds as well as research, regulatory, and commercial launch activities. Prior to Organ Transport Systems, Inc., Mr. Holder was the CFO of three public or private medtech and pharma related companies.
Mr. Holder holds a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina., and previously obtained his CPA.
About AVITA Medical, Inc.:
AVITA Medical is a regenerative medicine company with a technology platform positioned to address unmet medical needs in burns, chronic wounds, and aesthetics indications. AVITA Medicals proprietary collection and application technology provides innovative treatment solutions derived from the regenerative properties of a patients own skin. The medical devices work by preparing a RES ® REGENERATIVE EPIDERMAL SUSPENSION, an autologous suspension comprised of the patients skin cells necessary to regenerate natural healthy epidermis. This autologous suspension is then sprayed onto the areas of the patient requiring treatment.
AVITA Medicals first U.S. product, the RECELL ® System, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2018. The RECELL System is indicated for use in the treatment of acute thermal burns in patients 18 years and older. The RECELL System is used to prepare Spray-On Skin Cells using a small amount of a patients own skin, providing a new way to treat severe burns, while significantly reducing the amount of donor skin required. The RECELL System is designed to be used at the point of care alone or in combination with autografts depending on the depth of the burn injury. Compelling data from randomized, controlled clinical trials conducted at major U.S. burn centers and real-world use in more than 10,000 patients globally, reinforce that the RECELL System is a significant advancement over the current standard of care for burn patients and offers benefits in clinical outcomes and cost savings. Healthcare professionals should read the INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE - RECELL® Autologous Cell Harvesting Device for a full description of indications for use and important safety information including contraindications, warnings and precautions.
In international markets, our products are marketed under the RECELL System brand to promote skin healing in a wide range of applications including burns, chronic wounds and aesthetics. The RECELL System is TGA-registered in Australia and received CE-mark approval in Europe.
For Further Information:
U.S. Media Sam Brown, Inc. Christy Curran Phone +1-615-414-8668 christycurran@sambrown.com
O.U.S. Media Rudi Michelson Phone +61 (0)3 9620 3333 Mobile +61 (0)411 402 737 rudim@monsoon.com.au |
Investors Westwicke Partners Caroline Corner Phone +1-415-202-5678 caroline.corner@westwicke.com |