0000320017false00003200172025-06-102025-06-10
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
June 10, 2025
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)
LISATA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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001-33650 |
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22-2343568 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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110 Allen Road, Second Floor, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(ZipCode)
(908) 842-0100
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ 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:
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Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share |
LSTA |
The Nasdaq Capital Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
☐ Emerging growth company
o 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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
(e) Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
David Mazzo
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement
On June 10, 2025, Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with David J. Mazzo, Ph.D., the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “Mazzo Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement”). The Mazzo Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement supplements and amends the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated and effective as of March 19, 2021, between Dr. Mazzo and the Company.
The Mazzo Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement:
i.amends Dr. Mazzo’s base salary to $717,229 from $633,032 and removed the non-accountable expense allowance of $12,000 per year;
ii.clarifies that a material reduction in Dr. Mazzo’s base salary is included in the definition of “Good Reason”;
iii.amends that in the event of Dr. Mazzo’s termination from the Company within two years following a Change in Control (as defined therein), any determination on (a) whether Dr. Mazzo’s termination constitutes a termination with or without Cause (as defined therein) or with or without Good Reason (as defined therein) and (b) Dr. Mazzo’s entitlement to the separation benefits and payments described therein, will be determined by the board of directors of the Company as constituted immediately prior to such Change in Control, which board may delegate its authority to a qualified independent third party;
iv.amends Dr. Mazzo’s COBRA benefit coverage after the date of termination to monthly reimbursement payments for the cost of Dr. Mazzo’s group health plan coverage, except in the event that such payment would incur tax penalties to the Company, violate applicable nondiscrimination requirements or in the event that the Company terminates the group health plan, in which case the Company will pay Dr. Mazzo a lump-sum cash payment equal to the aggregate cost of the remaining reimbursement payments less required withholdings;
v.amends the form of payment of Dr. Mazzo’s bonus payments in the event of a termination not in connection to a Change in Control to a lump-sum payment;
vi.amends the definition of “Change in Control” therein to include the approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan of complete liquidation of the Company, provided that the Change in Control meets all of the requirements of a “change in control” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5);
vii.clarifies that the base salary severance payments, to the extent that the payments are in the aggregate less than or equal to twice the compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), comply with the involuntary separation pay plan exception to Section 409A of the Code, and further clarifies that Dr. Mazzo may receive such severance payments as a lump sum payment on the next payroll period following the date of his termination from employment; and
viii.clarifies other technical terms for compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
The foregoing summary of the Mazzo Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety, by the full text of the Mazzo Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, a copy of which is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 10.1.
Kristen Buck
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement
On June 10, 2025, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Kristen K. Buck, M.D., the Company’s Vice President, R&D and Chief Medical Officer (the “Buck Amended and Restated Employment Agreement”). The Buck Amended and Restated Employment Agreement supplements and amends the Employment Agreement, dated and effective as of July 26, 2021, between Dr. Buck and the Company.
The Buck Amended and Restated Employment Agreement:
i.amends Dr. Buck’s base salary to $599,342 from $550,000;
ii.clarifies that a material reduction in Dr. Buck’s base salary is included in the definition of “Good Reason”;
iii.amends that in the event of Dr. Buck’s termination from the Company within two years following a Change in Control (as defined therein), any determination on (a) whether Dr. Buck’s termination constitutes a termination with or without Cause (as defined therein) or with or without Good Reason (as defined therein) and (b) Dr. Buck’s entitlement to the separation benefits and payments described therein, will be determined by the board of directors of the Company as constituted immediately prior to such Change in Control, which board may delegate its authority to a qualified independent third party;
iv.amends Dr. Buck’s COBRA benefit coverage after the date of termination to monthly reimbursement payments for the cost of Dr. Buck group health plan coverage, except in the event that such payment would incur tax penalties to the Company, violate applicable nondiscrimination requirements or in the event that the Company terminates the group health plan, in which case the Company will pay Dr. Buck a lump-sum cash payment equal to the aggregate cost of the remaining reimbursement payments less required withholdings;
v.amends Dr. Buck’s bonus payments in the event of a termination not in connection to a Change in Control such that the amount will not be pro-rated for the number of days Dr. Buck was employed in the year of termination of employment;
vi.amends the definition of “Change in Control” therein to include the approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan of complete liquidation of the Company, provided that the Change in Control meets all of the requirements of a “change in control” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5);
vii.clarifies that the base salary severance payments, to the extent that the payments are in the aggregate less than or equal to twice the compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code comply with the involuntary separation pay plan exception to Section 409A of the Code, and further clarifies that Dr. Buck may receive such severance payments as a lump sum payment on the next payroll period following the date of her termination from employment; and
viii.clarifies other technical terms for compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
The foregoing summary of the Buck Amended and Restated Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Buck Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, a copy of which is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 10.2.
James Nisco
Amended and Restated Separation Benefits Agreement
On June 10, 2025, the Company entered into an amended and restated separation benefits agreement with James Nisco, Senior Vice President Finance and Treasury and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company (the “Nisco Amendment”). The Nisco Amendment supplements and amends the separation benefits provided in the Non-Change in Control Separation Pay Agreement between the Company and Mr. Nisco, dated as of December 24, 2024, and the severance agreement between Mr. Nisco and the Company, dated and effective as of September 12, 2016, and further amended on March 25, 2022.
The Nisco Amendment:
i.amends the definition of “Change in Control” therein to include the approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan of complete liquidation of the Company, provided that the Change in Control meets all of the requirements of a “change in control” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5);
ii.includes a condition that Mr. Nisco’s right to the severance payments and benefits described therein are subject to Mr. Nisco’s timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within sixty days following Mr. Nisco’s termination or such shorter time period set forth therein;
iii.amends Mr. Nisco’s COBRA benefit coverage after the date of termination to monthly reimbursement payments for the cost of Mr. Nisco’s group health plan coverage, except in the event that such payment would incur tax penalties to the Company, violate applicable nondiscrimination requirements or in the event that the Company terminates the group health plan, in which case the Company will pay Mr. Nisco a lump-sum cash payment equal to the aggregate cost of the remaining reimbursement payments less required withholdings; iv.amends that in the event of Mr. Nisco’s termination from the Company within two years following a Change in Control (as defined therein), any determination on (a) whether Mr. Nisco’s termination constitutes a termination with or without Cause (as defined therein) or with or without Good Reason (as defined therein) and (b) Mr. Nisco’s entitlement to the separation benefits and payments described therein, will be determined by the board of directors of the Company as constituted immediately prior to such Change in Control, which board may delegate its authority to a qualified independent third party;
v.clarifies that the base salary severance payments, to the extent that the payments are in the aggregate less than or equal to twice the compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code, comply with the involuntary separation pay plan exception to Section 409A of the Code, and further clarifies that Mr. Nisco may receive such severance payments as a lump sum payment on the next payroll period following the date of his termination from employment; and
vi.clarifies other technical terms for compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
The foregoing summary of the Nisco Amendment does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Nisco Amendment, a copy of which is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 10.3. Descriptions of the separation benefits and payment terms under the Non-Change in Control Separation Pay Agreement between the Company and Mr. Nisco, dated as of December 24, 2024, and the severance agreement between Mr. Nisco and the Company, dated and effective as of September 12, 2016, and further amended on March 25, 2022, can be found in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, filed on April 25, 2025.
Tariq Imam
Amended and Restated Separation Benefits Agreement
On June 10, 2025, the Company entered into an amended and restated separation benefits agreement (the “Imam Amendment”) with Tariq Imam, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Operations and General Counsel of the Company. The Imam Amendment supplements and amends the separation benefits provided in the Non-Change in Control Separation Pay Agreement between the Company and Mr. Imam, dated as of December 24, 2024, effective as of February 1, 2025 (the “Imam Non-Change in Control Separation Pay Agreement”) and the severance agreement between Mr. Imam and the Company, dated as of March 25, 2022 (the “Imam Severance Agreement”).
Imam Severance Agreement
Pursuant to the Imam Severance Agreement, Mr. Imam is entitled to receive certain payments following his termination from the Company in specific circumstances. If Mr. Imam terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined in the Imam Severance Agreement) during the period commencing on the effective date of a Change in Control (as defined in the Imam Severance Agreement) and ending on the second anniversary of the effective date of a Change in Control (as defined in the Imam Severance Agreement), or the Company terminates Mr. Imam’s employment without Cause (as defined in the Imam Severance Agreement) (other than by reason of his death or disability), the Company will (a) continue to pay Mr. Imam’s current base salary of $356,000 (the “Imam Salary Payment”) for 12 months following the date the termination becomes effective (the "Imam Severance Period"), commencing on the next payroll period following the date the termination becomes effective and (b) pay Mr. Imam a lump-sum equal to 100% of Mr. Imam’s then annual target bonus on the next payroll period following the date the termination becomes effective (the “Imam Cash Severance”) and (c) pay monthly the monthly premium amount for continued COBRA coverage. If the Company may not pay Mr. Imam’s COBRA premiums without incurring tax penalties or violating any requirement of law, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to provide Mr. Imam with substantially similar assistance in an alternative manner (the “Imam COBRA Payments”), provided that the cost of doing so does not exceed the cost that the Company would have incurred had the Company been able to pay the COBRA premiums on Mr. Imam’s behalf. In addition to the Imam Salary Payment, Imam Cash Severance and the Imam COBRA Payments, the Company shall (i) fully vest as of the date the termination becomes effective, all outstanding unvested equity awards, including options granted to Mr. Imam; and (ii) extend the exercise date of the options to the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the date the termination becomes effective and the original expiration date of the options.
Imam Non-Change in Control Separation Pay Agreement
Pursuant to the Imam Non-Change in Control Separation Pay Agreement, Mr. Imam is entitled to a salary continuation of his current base salary of $356,000 for 12 months from the date of his termination, as well as a lump-sum cash payment of 100% of his then annual target bonus on the next payroll period following the date the termination becomes effective. Mr. Imam is also entitled to payment of accrued but unpaid paid time off and wages up to the date of termination and monthly COBRA coverage reimbursements for 12 months from the date of termination. The Imam Non-Change in Control Separation Pay Agreement also provides an extension of the time period for exercising any fully vested option awards to the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the date the termination becomes effective and the original expiration date of the options.
The Imam Amendment:
i.amends the definition of “Change in Control” therein to include the approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan of complete liquidation of the Company, provided that the Change in Control meets all of the requirements of a “change in control” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5);
ii.includes a condition that Mr. Imam’s right to the severance payments and benefits described therein are subject to Mr. Imam’s timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within sixty days following Mr. Imam’s termination or such shorter time period set forth therein;
iii.amends Mr. Imam’s COBRA benefit coverage after the date of termination to monthly reimbursement payments for the cost of Mr. Imam’s group health plan coverage, except in the event that such payment would incur tax penalties to the Company, violate applicable nondiscrimination requirements or in the event that the Company terminates the group health plan, in which case the Company will pay Mr. Imam a lump-sum cash payment equal to the aggregate cost of the remaining reimbursement payments less required withholdings;
iv.clarifies that in the event of Mr. Imam’s termination from the Company within two years following a Change in Control (as defined therein), any determination on (a) whether Mr. Imam’s termination constitutes a termination with or without Cause (as defined therein) or with or without Good Reason (as defined therein) and (b) Mr. Imam’s entitlement to the separation benefits and payments described therein, will be determined by the board of directors of the Company as constituted immediately prior to such Change in Control, which board may delegate its authority to a qualified independent third party;
v.clarifies that the base salary severance payments, to the extent that the payments are in the aggregate less than or equal to twice the compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17) of Code, comply with the involuntary separation pay plan exception to Section 409A of the Code, and further clarifies that Mr. Imam may receive such severance payments as a lump sum payment on the next payroll period following the date of his termination from employment; and
vi.clarifies other technical terms for compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
The foregoing summary of the Imam Amendment does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Imam Amendment, a copy of which is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 10.4.
Item 9.01. Financial Statement and Exhibits.
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| Exhibit No. |
Description |
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Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, by and between the Company and David J. Mazzo, Ph.D., dated as of June 10, 2025 |
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Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, by and between the Company and Kristen K. Buck, M.D., dated as of June 10, 2025 |
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Amended and Restated Separation Benefits Agreement, by and between the Company and James Nisco, dated as of June 10, 2025 |
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Amended and Restated Separation Benefits Agreement, by and between the Company and Tariq Imam, dated as of June 10, 2025 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
LISATA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
By: /s/ David J. Mazzo
Name: David J. Mazzo, PhD
Title: President & Chief Executive Officer
Dated: June 13, 2025
EX-10.1
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ex101amendedandrestatede.htm
EX-10.1
ex101amendedandrestatede
Exhibit 10.1 SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 10, 2025, and effective on June 10, 2025, (the “Effective Date”) is by and between Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) and David J. Mazzo, Ph.D. (the “Executive”). WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Executive as its Chief Executive Officer and the Executive desires to be so employed by the Company; and WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive each believe it is in their respective best interests to enter into this Agreement setting forth the mutual understandings and agreements reached between the Company and the Executive with respect to the Executive’s employment with the Company and certain restrictions on the Executive’s conduct benefitting the Company during such time and thereafter, all as set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: Section 1. Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to be employed by the Company on a full-time basis, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 6 below, continuing until December 31, 2025 (the “Initial Term”). Unless Executive is given written notice by the Company (acting through the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”)) no later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term, Executive’s employment hereunder shall be deemed extended for an additional period of one (1) year, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 6 below (each, a “Renewal Term”), in each such case, commencing upon the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term, as the case may be. As used in this Agreement, the “Term” shall refer to the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the effective date of the termination of this Agreement and the Executive’s employment hereunder (the “Termination Date”) in accordance with this Section 1 or Section 6 below. The Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that he has the legal capacity to execute and perform this Agreement, and that its execution and performance by him will not violate the terms of any existing agreement or understanding to which the Executive is a party; and the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Executive that the person executing this Agreement on its behalf has the authority to do so and to bind the Company. Section 2. Position and Duties. During the Term, the Executive shall be employed as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and shall perform duties consistent with such position, including but not limited to direct responsibility for all day-to-day operations of the Company, and such other related duties as the Board shall reasonably request. The Executive will
2 report to the Chairman of the Board, and be subject to the lawful direction of, the Board. During the Term, and except for PTO in accordance with Section 5(a) below, the Executive shall devote his full business time, attention, skill and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and other affiliates and shall comply with the Company’s codes of conduct, policies and procedures as applicable at any given time; provided however; the foregoing shall not prevent the Executive from (a) engaging in not-for-profit activities (e.g., board membership with charitable, educational, or religious organizations), (b) serving on the board of directors (or similar governing body), subject to the prior written approval of the Board, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, of not more than two (2) other public corporations (or other business entities) that are not competitors of the Company (as determined in good faith by the Board, it being understood that a failure to approve if service would be inconsistent with ISS standards is reasonable), and (c) managing the Executive’s personal and immediate family member’s passive investments, as long as, in each case, such activities individually or in the aggregate do not materially interfere or conflict with the Executive’s duties hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict (in each case, as determined in good faith by the Board). During the Term, the Executive also shall serve as a member of the Board and in such other executive-level positions or capacities as may, from time to time, be reasonably requested by the Chairman and/or the Board, including, without limitation (subject to election, appointment, re-election or re-appointment, as applicable) as (i) a member of the board of directors or similar governing body of any of the Company’s subsidiaries or other affiliates, (ii) an officer of any of the Company’s subsidiaries or other affiliates, and/or (iii) a member of any committee of the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries or other affiliates, in each case, for no additional compensation. The Executive’s position as a member of the Board shall be subject to election and/or re-election by the Company’s shareholders, and the failure of the Company’s shareholders to elect or re-elect the Executive shall not be deemed either (A) a breach by the Company of its obligation to the Executive or (B) a material reduction in the Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities or authority. The Executive’s principal place of employment for the performance of his services hereunder shall be at the Company’s corporate headquarters in Basking Ridge, NJ; provided; however, it is understood that the Executive shall be required to travel (both within the US and abroad) as reasonably necessary to perform his duties hereunder. Section 3. Compensation. For all services rendered by the Executive in any capacity required hereunder during the Term, the Executive shall be compensated as follows: (a) The Company shall pay the Executive a base salary (the “Base Salary”) at the annualized rate of $717,229.00, which shall be subject to customary withholdings and authorized deductions and be payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices in place from time to time. The Executive’s Base Salary shall be subject to review by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) at least annually and may be increased, but not decreased, from time to time by the Board. As used in this Agreement, the term “Base Salary” shall refer to base salary as may be adjusted from time to time. (b) The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all compensation and employee benefit plans or programs and to receive all other benefits and perquisites that are approved by the Board and are generally made available by the Company to other senior executives of the Company and to the extent permissible under the general terms and provisions of such plans
3 or programs and in accordance with the provisions thereof. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall require the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof to establish, maintain or continue any particular plan or program nor preclude the amendment, rescission or termination of any such plan or program that may be established from time to time. (c) The Executive is eligible to receive an annual equity award, the size and value of which would be determined by the Board (or the Compensation Committee of the Board) in its discretion. Any equity award will be granted in accordance with the terms of the applicable equity plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time. (d) The Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus for each calendar year ending during the Term (“Annual Bonus”). The Executive’s target Annual Bonus will equal 55% of his Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”) and the Executive’s maximum Annual Bonus will equal 100% of his Base Salary. Annual Bonus will be determined by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee based upon the level of achievement of the Company’s corporate goals and objectives for the calendar year with respect to which the Annual Bonus relates and the Executive’s individual performance (in each case, as reasonably determined by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee). The Board agrees to take into account the Executive’s input with respect to the establishment of the Executive’s individual goals and objectives. The Board may, in its discretion, award the Executive an Annual Bonus of less than or greater than the Target Bonus depending on the Executive’s level of achievement of the performance targets. Each Annual Bonus for a calendar year, to the extent earned, will be paid in a lump sum in the following calendar year, but no later than March 15 of the calendar year immediately following the applicable calendar year for which the Annual Bonus is being measured. In order for the Executive to receive an Annual Bonus, the Executive must be actively employed by the Company on December 31 of the calendar year for which the Annual Bonus is being measured. Section 4. Business Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties and obligations under this Agreement, subject to the Executive’s presentation of appropriate vouchers or receipts in accordance with such policies and approval procedures as the Company may from time to time establish for employees (including but not limited to prior approval of extraordinary expenses) and to preserve any deductions for Federal income taxation purposes to which the Company may be entitled. Section 5. Benefits; Perquisites; Expense Reimbursement. In addition to those payments and benefits set forth above or elsewhere herein, the Executive shall be entitled to the following other benefits and payments: (a) Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to twenty-nine (29) days of paid time off (“PTO”) per calendar year (prorated in the event of a service year which is shorter than a calendar year) under the Company’s current PTO Policy, in addition to Company-observed holidays. Any PTO time not used during a calendar year shall be treated in accordance with the Company’s policies relating to unused PTO time.
4 (b) Supplemental Term Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance. The Company will pay up to $10,000 annually (in the aggregate) for supplemental term life insurance coverage and supplemental long-term disability coverage. (c) D&O Insurance. The Executive shall be covered by the Directors and Officers Liability Insurance policy that generally covers the directors and officers of the Company, provided by the Company at its expense. (d) Indemnification. The Executive shall be entitled to the benefit of the indemnification provisions contained in the Company’s By-Laws or Certificate of Incorporation as they may be amended from time to time, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at the time of the assertion of any liability against the Executive. Section 6. Termination of Employment. (a) Events of Termination. The Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) Termination for Cause. The Company (acting through the Board) may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause at any time. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean that, as determined by the Board, the Executive has: (A) committed gross negligence in connection with his duties as set forth herein or otherwise with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (B) committed fraud in connection with his duties as set forth herein or otherwise with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (C) engaged in personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, willful violation of any law, or breach of fiduciary duty, in each instance, with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (D) been indicted for, or has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have committed or plead guilty to, (1) a felony (or state law equivalent) or (2) any other serious crime involving moral turpitude or that has (or is reasonably likely to have) a material adverse effect either on (x) the Executive’s ability to perform his duties under the Agreement or (y) the reputation and goodwill of the Company, regardless of whether or not such other crime is related or unrelated to the business of the Company, its subsidiaries or other affiliates; (E) shown chronic use of alcohol, drugs or other similar substances that materially affects the Executive’s work performance; (F) breached his obligations under (1) this Agreement, (2) the Confidentiality, Non- Compete and Inventions Assignment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Covenants Agreement”) or (3) any other agreement executed by the Executive for the benefit of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or other affiliates, provided, that, if such breach described in this clause (F) is susceptible to cure (as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board), the Executive shall have thirty (30) days after notice from the Board to cure such breach; (G) failed to materially perform the Executive’s duties or to follow the lawful directives of the Board; provided, that, if such failure described in this clause (G) is susceptible to cure (as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board), the Executive shall have thirty (30) days after notice from the Board to cure such failure; or (H) materially violated the Company’s written code of conduct or other written or established policies and/or procedures in place from time to time; provided, that, if such violation described in this clause (H) is susceptible to cure (as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board), the Executive shall have thirty (30) days after notice from the Board to
5 cure such violation. Any notice to the Executive under this Section 6(a)(i) shall be in writing and shall specify in reasonable detail the Executive’s acts or omissions that the Company alleges constitute “Cause.” (ii) Termination without Cause. The Company (acting through the Board) may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability) at any time upon notice to Executive. (iii) Resignation for Good Reason. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment hereunder for Good Reason (as defined below) upon written notice to the Company in accordance with the definition thereof. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (A) material breach by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement; (B) the Executive’s base salary, position, duties, responsibilities, or authority have been materially reduced or the Executive has repeatedly been assigned duties that are materially inconsistent with his duties set forth herein, in each case, without the Executive’s consent or (C) the relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment, without the Executive’s consent, in a manner that lengthens his one-way commute distance by fifty (50) or more miles. “Good Reason” shall not be deemed to exist, however, unless (1) the Executive shall have given written notice to the Company specifying in reasonable detail the Company’s acts or omissions that the Executive alleges constitute “Good Reason” within sixty (60) days after the first occurrence of such circumstances and the Company shall have failed to cure any such act or omission within sixty (60) days of receipt of such written notice, and (2) the Executive actually terminates employment within one hundred eighty (180) days following the initial occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions that he considers to be “Good Reason.” If the Executive fails to provide this notice and cure period prior to his resignation or resigns more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the initial existence of the condition, his resignation will not be deemed to be for “Good Reason.” (iv) Resignation without Good Reason. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment hereunder for any reason at any time, for any reason that does not constitute Good Reason, upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Company, provided, however, the Company reserves the right, upon written notice to the Executive, to accept the Executive’s notice of resignation and to accelerate such notice and make the Executive’s resignation effective immediately, or on such other date prior to the Executive’s intended last day of work as the Company deems appropriate. It is understood and agreed that the Company’s election to accelerate Executive’s notice of resignation shall not be deemed a termination by the Company without Cause for purposes of Section 6(a)(ii) of this Agreement, Section 7(a) of this Agreement or otherwise, or constitute Good Reason for purposes of Section 6(a)(iii) of this Agreement, Section 7(a) of this Agreement or otherwise. (v) Disability. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon his Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean that the Executive has been unable to perform his duties to the Company on account of physical or mental illness or incapacity for a period of ninety (90) consecutive calendar days or one hundred twenty (120) calendar days (whether or not consecutive) during any 365-day period, as a result of a condition that is treated as a total or permanent disability under the long-term disability insurance policy of the Company that covers the Executive.
6 (vi) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall automatically terminate upon his death. (b) Resignation from Directorships, Officerships and Committees. The termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason shall constitute the Executive’s resignation from (i) any director, officer, employee or committee position the Executive has with the Company or any of its affiliates and (ii) all fiduciary positions the Executive holds with respect to any employee benefit plans or trusts established by the Company. The Executive agrees that this Agreement shall serve as written notice of resignation in this circumstance; provided, however, the Executive agrees to take any additional actions that are deemed reasonably necessary by the Company to effectuate or evidence such resignations. (c) Interpretation. For purposes of this Section 6, the Board will determine in its reasonable discretion whether a termination of Executive’s employment constitutes a termination with Cause under Section 6(a)(i), a termination without Cause under Section 6(a)(ii), a resignation with Good Reason under Section 6(a)(iii), or a resignation without Good Reason under Section 6(a)(iv). If the Company consummates a Change in Control, the members of the Board as constituted immediately prior to the closing of a Change in Control (the “Incumbent Board”) shall retain authority to make the forgoing determinations concerning the termination of Executive’s employment until the second (2nd) anniversary of the closing date of the Change in Control regardless of whether the Company’s Board is reconstituted in connection with the Change in Control. Following a Change in Control, the Incumbent Board may delegate its authority under this Section 6(c) to a qualified independent third party, such as a retired judge selected by the head of the American Arbitration Association in Manhattan, an independent compensation consultant or a law firm. Section 7. Compensation upon Termination of Employment. All defined terms used in this Section 7 but not defined in this Section 7 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Covenants Agreement: (a) Termination without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason. In the event that, during the Term, the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability) or the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment for Good Reason, the Company shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive hereunder or otherwise, provide the Executive with the following payments and benefits: (i) Accrued Rights. The Company shall pay the Executive a lump-sum amount, within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date (or earlier if required by law), equal to the sum of (A) his earned but unpaid Base Salary through the last day of the Executive’s employment (“Termination Date”), (B) any bonus amount earned and vested but not paid for periods ending on or prior to the Termination Date, (C) any accrued and unused PTO per the PTO Policy , (D) any unreimbursed business expenses or other amounts due to the Executive from the Company as of the Termination Date, and (E) all other payments and benefits to which the Executive then may be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or perquisite plan or program or grant or this Agreement, including but not limited to any applicable insurance benefits (the “Accrued Rights”).
7 (ii) Additional Payments. Subject to Sections 7(d), 7(f) and 7(g) below, the Company shall make additional payments to Executive in the form of continuation of the Executive’s then-current Base Salary (the “Additional Payments”) for a period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the fifteenth (15) month anniversary of the Termination Date (the “Severance Period”), payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, commencing on the Company’s first regular payroll date that occurs on or immediately after the 60th day following the Termination Date; provided, however, the first installment payment of the Additional Payments shall include the cumulative amount of payments that would have been paid to the Executive during the period of time between the Termination Date and the date the Additional Payments commence had such payments commenced immediately following the Termination Date. (iii) COBRA Assistance. If Executive then participates in the Company’s medical and/or dental plans and Executive timely elects to continue and maintain group health plan coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), then, subject to Sections 7(f) and 7(g) below, the Company will reimburse Executive monthly for the duration of the Severance Period the cost of such coverage for the Severance Period, which payments will be equal to the amount of the monthly premium for such coverage (the “COBRA Assistance”); provided, however, if the Company is unable to provide the COBRA Assistance without incurring tax penalties or violating applicable nondiscrimination requirements, or the Company terminates the health plans in which Executive is participating and no other health plan is required to provide the COBRA Assistance to Executive, then in lieu of the forgoing benefit, the Company will pay Participant a lump sum cash payment equal to the aggregate cost of the remaining Severance Period for which benefits were to be reimbursed, less any required withholdings within ten (10) business days after Participant’s participation in the health plan terminates. (iv) Bonus Payment. Subject to Sections 7(f) and 7(g) below, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to 125% of 55% of Executive’s Base Salary (at the rate in effect on the Termination Date) payable in equal installments on the Company’s regular payroll dates, commencing on the later of (1) the Company’s first regular payroll date that occurs on or immediately after the 60th day following the Termination Date, and (2) the date that Executive’s Annual Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs would have been paid under Section 3(d) above if Executive had remained employed until the end of such calendar year, and ending on the last payroll date in the Severance Period. (v) Options. The Company shall provide that twenty-five percent (25%) of all outstanding unvested equity awards granted to the Executive shall become fully vested and provide that the time period that the Executive may have to exercise such equity awards shall be extended for a period equal to the shorter of (i) one (1) year following the Termination Date, or (ii) the remaining term of the award. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7(a)(v), all stock options shall be treated in accordance with the terms of the stock option award and the Company’s Equity Incentive Compensation plan pursuant to which the stock options were granted to the Executive. (vi) Change in Control Benefits. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability) or the Executive
8 voluntarily terminates his employment for Good Reason during the period commencing on the effective date of a Change in Control and ending on the second anniversary of the effective date of a Change in Control, and subject to Executive complying with his obligations to execute and deliver a Release pursuant to Section 7(e), in addition to the payments and benefits provided under Sections 7(a)(i) and (ii), the Company will (A) extend the Severance Period during which the Additional Payments are made pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) through the eighteen (18) month anniversary of the Termination Date and (B) the Company shall provide that all outstanding unvested equity awards granted to the Executive shall become fully vested as of the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable under section 8(e) and provide that the time period that the Executive may have to exercise such equity awards shall be extended for a period equal to the shorter of (i) one (1) year following the Termination Date, and (ii) the remaining term of the award. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7(a)(v), all stock options shall be treated in accordance with the terms of the stock option award and the Company’s equity incentive plan pursuant to which the stock options were granted to the Executive.; (C) pay Executive a lump sum amount equal to 150% of Executive’s then annual target bonus on the date the Company pays the first installment of the Additional Payments under Section 7(a)(ii) and (D) increase the COBRA Assistance payable under Section 7(a)(iii) to equal the entire amount of the monthly premium for such coverage, and extend the period of COBRA Assistance through the eighteen (18) month anniversary of the Termination Date. For purposes of this Section, a Change in Control means (v) a transaction or a series of related transactions in which all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are transferred to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or group who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of such sale; (w) any person or group becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of the Company’s outstanding equity representing more than thirty percent (30%) of the total voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding equity; (x) the Company undergoes a merger, reorganization or other consolidation in which the holders of the outstanding equity of the Company immediately prior to such merger, reorganization or consolidation own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity’s voting power immediately after the transaction; (y) the date a majority of the members of the Company’s incumbent Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by members whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority to the Company’s incumbent Board before the date of the appointment or election, or (z) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan of complete liquidation of the Company, provided further that the Change in Control meets all of the requirements of a “change in the ownership of a corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(v), a “change in the effective ownership of a corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi), or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the corporation’s assets” within in the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii). (b) Resignation without Good Reason, Termination for Cause or upon Death or Disability. (i) In the event that during the Term the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause or the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment other than for Good Reason, the Company shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to
9 the Executive hereunder or otherwise, pay and/or provide the Executive with any Accrued Rights under Section 7(a)(i) hereof. All stock options shall be treated in accordance with the terms of the stock option award and the Company’s equity incentive plan pursuant to which the stock options were granted to the Executive. (ii) In the event that during the Term the Executive’s employment is terminated due to the Executive’s death or Disability, the Company shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive (or his estate, if applicable) hereunder or otherwise, (A) pay and/or provide the Executive (or his estate with) with any Accrued Rights under Section 7(a)(i) hereof and (B) subject to Sections 7(f) and 7(g) below, provide the COBRA Assistance under Section 7(a)(iii). All stock options shall be treated in accordance with the terms of the stock option award and the Company’s equity incentive plan pursuant to which the stock options were granted to the Executive. (c) No Further Rights, Continued Obligations under the Covenants Agreement. The Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement or otherwise to receive any other compensation or benefits after such termination or resignation of employment under the Company’s severance arrangements or otherwise, except with respect to the payments and benefits specifically provided for under this Section 7. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, on the expiration of the Term or the earlier termination of his employment for any reason or no reason (whether initiated by the Executive or the Company), the Executive shall continue to be bound by his obligations pursuant to the Covenants Agreement. (d) Payment. Notwithstanding anything in Section 7(a) to the contrary, and subject to Section 19 below, prior to the date the first payment is made under Section 7(a)(ii), Executive may elect to receive a portion of the aggregate amount to which Executive is eligible to receive under Section 7(a)(ii) equal to (i) the product of the compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17), and (ii) two (2), in a lump sum payment on the next payroll period following the Termination Date. For the avoidance of doubt, any payment made pursuant to this Section 7(d) shall be considered a right to receive a series of separate payments (the “First Separation Benefit Plan”), and Executive shall continue to be eligible to receive any amounts pursuant to Section 7(a) in accordance with the terms of Section 7(a)(ii), less any amounts paid under the First Separation Benefit Plan. (e) Release of Claims. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company’s provision of the payments and benefits under Sections 7(a)(ii), 7(a)(iii), 7(a)(iv), 7(a)(v) and 7(a)(vi) hereof shall be contingent in all respects on the Executive (or, if applicable, his estate) executing (and not revoking) a general release of claims against the Company, its affiliates and related parties, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the “Release”) and the Release becoming effective (and no longer subject to revocation) within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date. (f) Breach of Release or Covenants Agreement. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of a breach by the Executive of his obligations under the Covenants Agreement or the Release Agreement and in addition to any other remedies under the Covenants Agreement, the Release Agreement or at law or in equity, the Company shall have no further obligations under Sections 7(a)(ii), 7(a)(iii), 7(a)(iv), or 7(c)(ii) (if and as
10 applicable) and the Executive shall be required, upon demand, to return to the Company any payments previously made by the Company pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii), 7(a)(iii), 7(a)(iv), or 7(c)(ii). (g) Mitigation of Damages. In no event shall the Executive be obliged to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the severance benefits payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any severance benefit hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer, except as set forth in this Agreement. Section 8. Covenants Agreement; Corporate Policies. (a) Covenants Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that Executive has executed and remains bound by the Covenants Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and that the terms of the Covenants Agreement remain in full force and effect and shall survive the expiration of this Agreement or the earlier termination of Executive’s employment hereunder. (b) Corporate Policies. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that during the Term, he will be bound by, and comply with, the Company’s various written corporate policies applicable to other senior executives of the Company, including but not limited to its expense reimbursement policies. Section 9. Withholding Taxes. The Company may directly or indirectly withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all Federal, state, city or other taxes and all other deductions as shall be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling or pursuant to any contributory benefit plan maintained by the Company in which the Executive may participate. Section 10. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, by certified or registered mail or by use of an independent third party commercial delivery service for same day or next day delivery and providing a signed receipt as follows: To the Company: Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. 110 Allen Road, 2nd Floor Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 Attention: General Counsel To the Executive: David J. Mazzo, Ph.D. 191 Roundtop Road Bernardsville, NJ 07924-2106
11 or to such other address as either party shall have previously specified in writing to the other. Notice by mail shall be deemed effective on the second business day after its deposit with the United States Postal Service, notice by same day courier service shall be deemed effective on the day of deposit with the delivery service and notice by next day delivery service shall be deemed effective on the day following the deposit with the delivery service. Section 11. No Attachment. Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any such action shall be null, void and of no effect; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 11 shall preclude the assumption of such rights by executors, administrators or other legal representatives of the Executive or his estate and their conveying any rights hereunder to the person or persons entitled thereto. Section 12. Source of Payment. All payments provided for under this Agreement shall be paid in cash from the general funds of the Company. The Company shall not be required to establish a special or separate fund or other segregation of assets to assure such payments, and, if the Company shall make any investments to aid it in meeting its obligations hereunder, the Executive shall have no right, title or interest whatever in or to any such investments except as may otherwise be expressly provided in a separate written instrument relating to such investments. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship, between the Company and the Executive or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company hereunder, such right, without prejudice to rights which Executives may have, shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured creditor of the Company. Section 13. Binding Agreement; No Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Executive and the Company and their respective permitted successors, assigns, heirs, beneficiaries and representatives. This Agreement is personal to the Executive and may not be assigned by him. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Company except in connection with a sale of all or substantially all of its assets or a merger or consolidation of the Company, and the acquiring Company or entity expressly assumes this Agreement. Any attempted assignment in violation of this Section 13 shall be null and void. Section 14. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. The validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey. In addition, the Executive and the Company irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court sitting in New Jersey for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on the Executive or the Company anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of notices under this Agreement. The Executive and the Company irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding and to the laying of venue in such court. In any such action or proceeding, the court shall have the authority to award reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees to the party that substantially prevails.
12 Section 15. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement (including Exhibit A) embodies the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and may only be amended or otherwise modified by a writing executed by all of the parties hereto. Section 16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. Section 17. Severability; Blue-Penciling. The provisions, sections and paragraphs, and the specific terms set forth therein, of this Agreement (including Exhibit A) are severable, except as specifically provided to the contrary herein. If any provision, section or paragraph, or specific term contained therein, of this Agreement or the application thereof is determined by a court to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, that provision, section, paragraph or term shall not be a part of this Agreement, and the legality, validity and enforceability of remaining provisions, sections and paragraphs, and all other terms therein, of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that as to himself, the restrictive covenants contained in the Covenants Agreement (the “Restrictive Covenants”) are reasonable and valid in geographical and temporal scope and in all other respects. If any court determines that any of such Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect, without regard to the invalid portions. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the Restrictive Covenants will be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any Restrictive Covenant shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such Restrictive Covenant shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary in order that such provision be valid and enforceable, such amendment to apply only with respect to the operation of such Restrictive Covenant in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. Section 18. Prior Agreements. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (including verbal agreements) between Executive and the Company regarding the terms and conditions of Executive’s employment with the Company. Section 19. 409A Compliance. (a) It is intended that each installment of the payments and benefits provided under Section 7 of this Agreement shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). (b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of Section 6 and 7 of this Agreement unless he would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii). (c) The severance payments set forth in Section 7(a)(i) of this Agreement are intended to comply with the involuntary separation pay plan exception to Section 409A set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) to the extent that the payments due under Section 7(a) are in
13 the aggregate less than the lesser of two times the lesser of (i) the sum of the Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay for services provided to the Company for the taxable year of the Company preceding the taxable year in which the Termination Date occurs (adjusted for any increase during that year that was expected to continue indefinitely if Executive had not separated from service) and (ii) the applicable compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which the Termination Date occurs shall be in accordance with as an involuntary separation plan. (d) The payment set forth in Section 7(a)(iv) of this Agreement is intended to comply with the short-term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Code set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(4). (e) All references in this Agreement to Executive’s termination of employment shall mean Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h). (f) Executive acknowledges and agrees that notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the Company and its affiliates are not providing Executive with any tax advice with respect to Section 409A of the Code or otherwise and are not making any guarantees or other assurances of any kind to Executive with respect to the tax consequences or treatment of any amounts paid or payable to Executive under this Agreement. (g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if necessary to comply with the restriction in Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code concerning payments to “specified Executives,” any payment on account of the Executive’s separation from service that would otherwise be due hereunder within six (6) months after such separation shall nonetheless be delayed until the first business day of the seventh month following the Executive’s date of termination and the first such payment shall include the cumulative amount of any payments that would have been paid prior to such date if not for such restriction, together with interest on such cumulative amount during the period of such restriction at a rate, per annum, equal to the applicable federal short-term rate (compounded monthly) in effect under Section 1274(d) of the Code on the date of termination. If the Executive dies during the six-month postponement period prior to the payment, the amount of the payment deferred on account of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the personal representative of the Executive’s estate within thirty (30) days after the date of the Executive’s death. For purposes of Section 7 hereof, the Executive shall be a “specified Executive” for the 12-month period beginning on the first day of the fourth month following each “Identification Date” if he is a “key Executive” (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to Section 416(i)(5) thereof) of the Company at any time during the 12-month period ending on the “Identification Date.” For purposes of the foregoing, the Identification Date shall be December 31. (h) To the extent that any provision in this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that no payments due under this Agreement shall be subject to an “additional tax” as defined in Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code.
14 (i) All reimbursements provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. (j) In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A. Section 20. Section 280G Limitation. If any payment(s) or benefit(s) the Executive would receive pursuant to this Agreement and/or pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement would (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, (b) but for this Section 20, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), and (c) if the net-after tax amount (taking into account all applicable taxes payable by the Executive, including any Excise Tax) that the Executive would receive with respect to such payments or benefits does not exceed the Reduced Amount, then such payment(s) or benefit(s) (collectively, “Payments”) shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be the largest portion of the Payments that can be paid or provided without causing any portion of the Payments being subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payments equal the Reduced Amount, reduction shall occur in the following order: (i) first, any base salary severance payments; (ii) second, any other cash payments due under any other agreement between the Company and the Executive; (iii) third, cancellation of the acceleration of vesting of any stock options; (iv) fourth, cancellation of the acceleration of vesting of any restricted stock and restricted stock units; and (v) lastly, other non-cash forms of benefits. Calculations of the foregoing will be performed at the expense of the Company by an accounting firm selected by the Company. The determinations of such accounting firm shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and the Executive. [Signatures follow on next page]
15 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers and the Executive has signed this Agreement, all as of the first date above written but effective as of the Effective Date. LISATA THERAPEUTICS, INC. By: /s/ Steven M. Klosk Name: Steven M. Klosk Title: Chairman of the Compensation Committee Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. Board of Directors /s/ David J. Mazzo David J. Mazzo, Ph.D.
EX-10.2
3
ex102amendedandrestatede.htm
EX-10.2
ex102amendedandrestatede
1 Exhibit 10.2 AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 10, 2025, and effective on June 10, 2025 (the “Effective Date”) is by and between Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) and Kristen K. Buck, M.D. (the “Executive”) of 727 Creek Road, Warminster, PA 18974. WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Executive as its Executive Vice President, R&D and Chief Medical Officer and the Executive desires to be so employed by the Company; and WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive each believe it is in their respective best interests to enter into this Agreement setting forth the mutual understandings and agreements reached between the Company and the Executive with respect to the Executive’s employment with the Company and certain restrictions on the Executive’s conduct benefiting the Company during such time and thereafter, all as set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: Section 1. Condition to Enforceability. The Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that she has the legal capacity to execute and perform this Agreement, and that its execution and performance by her will not violate the terms of any existing agreement or understanding to which the Executive is a party; and the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Executive that the person executing this Agreement on its behalf has the authority to do so and to bind the Company. Section 2. Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to be employed by the Company on a full-time basis, for the period commencing on the Effective Date (the date on which the Executive actually begins her employment, the “Start Date”) and, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 7 below, continuing until the three year anniversary of the Start Date (the “Initial Term”). Unless Executive is given written notice by the Company (acting through the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”)) no later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term, Executive’s employment hereunder shall be deemed extended for an additional period of one (1) year, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 7 below (each, a “Renewal Term”), in each such case, commencing upon the expiration of the Initial Term or the then-current Renewal Term, as the case may be. As used in this Agreement, the “Term” shall refer to the period beginning on the Start Date and ending on the effective date of the termination of this Agreement and the Executive’s employment hereunder (the “Termination Date”) in accordance with this Section or Section 7 below.
2 Section 3. Position and Duties. During the Term, the Executive shall be employed as the Company’s Executive Vice President, R&D and Chief Medical Officer and shall perform duties consistent with such position, including but not limited to direct responsibility for all day-to-day operations of the Research and Development Organization and such other related duties as the President and Chief Executive Officer shall reasonably request. During the Term, and except for PTO in accordance with Section 6(a) below, the Executive shall devote her full business time, attention, skill and efforts to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and other affiliates and shall comply with the Company’s codes of conduct, policies and procedures as applicable at any given time. The Executive will have the opportunity to serve on no more than two external private or public company boards with permission of the Board, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that the company does not compete with the business of the Company and the Executive’s outside services do not materially interfere, as determined by the Board in good faith, with the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder. Section 4. Compensation. For all services rendered by the Executive in any capacity required hereunder during the Term, the Executive shall be compensated as follows: (a) The Company shall pay the Executive a base salary (the “Base Salary”) at the annualized rate of five hundred ninety-nine thousand three hundred forty-two dollars ($599,342) which shall be subject to customary withholdings and authorized deductions and be payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices in place from time to time. The Executive’s Base Salary shall be subject to review by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee thereof (the “Compensation Committee”) at least annually and may be increased, but not decreased, from time to time by the Board. As used in this Agreement, the term “Base Salary” shall refer to base salary as may be adjusted from time to time. (b) The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all compensation and employee benefit plans or programs and to receive all other benefits and perquisites that are approved by the Board and are generally made available by the Company to other senior executives of the Company and to the extent permissible under the general terms and provisions of such plans or programs and in accordance with the provisions thereof. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall require the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof to establish, maintain or continue any particular plan or program nor preclude the amendment, rescission or termination of any such plan or program that may be established from time to time. (c) The Executive is eligible to receive an annual equity award, the size and value of which to be determined by the Board (or the Compensation Committee) in its discretion. Any equity award will be granted in accordance with the terms of the applicable equity plan or arrangement that may be in effect from time to time. (d) The Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus for each calendar year ending during the Term (“Annual Bonus”). The Executive’s target Annual Bonus will equal 50% of her Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”). The amount of the Annual Bonus awarded to you will be determined by the Board and/or the Compensation Committee thereof, in its sole discretion, based upon the level of achievement of the Company’s corporate goals for the
3 corresponding calendar year along with the performance of the Executive in relation to her personal performance objectives. Accordingly, the actual Annual Bonus may be less than or greater than the Target Bonus. Each Annual Bonus for a calendar year, to the extent earned, will be paid in a lump sum early in the subsequent calendar year, but no later than March 15. In order for the Executive to receive an Annual Bonus, the Executive must be actively employed by the Company on December 31 of the calendar year for which the Annual Bonus is applicable. Section 5. Business Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of her duties and obligations under this Agreement, subject to the Executive’s presentation of appropriate vouchers or receipts in accordance with such policies and approval procedures as the Company may from time to time establish for employees (including but not limited to prior approval of extraordinary expenses) and to preserve any deductions for Federal income taxation purposes to which the Company may be entitled. Section 6. Benefits; Perquisites; Expense Reimbursement. In addition to those payments and benefits set forth above or elsewhere herein, the Executive shall be entitled to the following other benefits and payments: (a) Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to twenty-nine (29) days of paid time off (“PTO”) per calendar year (prorated in the event of a service year which is shorter than a calendar year) under the Company’s then in effect PTO Policy, in addition to Company-observed holidays. Any PTO time not used during a calendar year shall be treated in accordance with the Company’ s policies relating to unused PTO time. (b) D&O Insurance. The Executive shall be covered by the Directors and Officers Liability Insurance policy that generally covers the directors and officers of the Company on the same terms and conditions provided to the Company’s other executive offers, provided by the Company at its expense. (c) Indemnification. The Executive shall be entitled to the benefit of the indemnification provisions contained in the Company’s By-laws or Certificate of Incorporation as they may be amended from time to time, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at the time of the assertion of any liability against the Executive. For clarity, the Company will not indemnify the Executive in connection with any liability arising out of or related to her employment relationship with any predecessor employer. Section 7. Termination of Employment. (a) Events of Termination. The Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) Termination for Cause. The Company (acting through the Board) may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause at any time. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean that, as determined by the Board, the Executive has:
4 (A) committed gross negligence in connection with her duties as set forth herein or otherwise with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (B) committed fraud in connection with her duties as set forth herein or otherwise with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (C) engaged in personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, willful violation of any law, or breach of fiduciary duty, in each instance, with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (D) been indicted for, or has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have committed or plead guilty to (1) a felony (or state law equivalent) or (2) any other serious crime involving moral turpitude or that has (or is reasonably likely to have) a material adverse effect either on (x) the Executive’ s ability to perform her duties under the Agreement or (y) the reputation and goodwill of the Company, regardless of whether or not such other crime is related or unrelated to the business of the Company, its subsidiaries or other affiliates; (E) shown chronic use of alcohol, drugs or other similar substances that materially affects the Executive’s work performance; (F) breached her obligations under (1) this Agreement, (2) the Confidentiality, Non-Compete and Inventions Assignment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Covenants Agreement”), or (3) any other agreement executed by the Executive for the benefit of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or other affiliates, provided, that, if such breach described in this clause (F) is susceptible to cure (as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board), the Executive shall have thirty (30) days after notice from the Board to cure such breach; (G) failed to materially perform the Executive’s duties or to follow the lawful directives of the Board; provided, that, if such failure described in this clause (G) is susceptible to cure (as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board), the Executive shall have thirty (30) days after notice from the Board to cure such failure; or (H) materially violated the Company’s written code of conduct or other written or established policies and/or procedures in place from time to time; provided, that, if such violation described in this clause (H) is susceptible to cure (as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board), the Executive shall have thirty (30) days after notice from the Board to cure such violation. Any notice to the Executive under this Section 7(a)(i) shall be in writing and shall specify in reasonable detail the Executive’s acts or omissions that the Company alleges constitute “Cause.” (ii) Termination without Cause. The Company (acting through the Board) may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability) at any time upon notice to Executive.
5 (iii) Resignation for Good Reason. The Executive may voluntarily terminate her employment hereunder for Good Reason (as defined below) upon written notice to the Company in accordance with the definition thereof. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (A) material breach by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement; (B) the Executive’s base salary, position, duties, responsibilities, or authority have been materially reduced or the Executive has repeatedly been assigned duties that are materially inconsistent with her duties set forth herein, in each case, without the Executive’s consent or (C) the relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment, without the Executive’s consent, in a manner that lengthens her one-way commute distance by fifty (50) or more miles. “Good Reason” shall not be deemed to exist, however, unless (1) the Executive shall have given written notice to the Company specifying in reasonable detail the Company’s acts or omissions that the Executive alleges constitute “Good Reason” within sixty (60) days after the first occurrence of such circumstances and the Company shall have failed to cure any such act or omission within sixty (60) days of receipt of such written notice, and (2) the Executive actually terminates employment within one hundred eighty (180) days following the initial occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions that she considers to be “Good Reason.” If the Executive fails to provide this notice and cure period prior to her resignation or resigns more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the initial existence of the condition, her resignation will not be deemed to be for “Good Reason.” (iv) Resignation without Good Reason. The Executive may voluntarily terminate her employment hereunder for any reason at any time for any reason that does not constitute Good Reason, upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Company, provided, however, the Company reserves the right, upon written notice to the Executive, to accept the Executive’s notice of resignation and to accelerate such notice and make the Executive’s resignation effective immediately, or on such other date prior to the Executive’s intended last day of work as the Company deems appropriate. It is understood and agreed that the Company’s election to accelerate Executive’s notice of resignation shall not be deemed a termination by the Company without Cause for purposes of Section 7(a)(ii) of this Agreement, Section 8(a) of this Agreement or otherwise, or constitute Good Reason for purposes of Section 7(a)(iii) of this Agreement, Section 8(a) of this Agreement or otherwise. (v) Disability. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon her Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean that the Executive has been unable to perform her duties to the Company on account of physical or mental illness or incapacity for a period of ninety (90) consecutive calendar days or one hundred twenty (120) calendar days (whether or not consecutive) during any 365-day period, as a result of a condition that is treated as a total or permanent disability under the long-term disability insurance policy of the Company that covers the Executive. (vi) Death. The Executive’s employment hereunder shall automatically terminate upon her death. (b) Resignation from Directorships, Officerships and Committees. The termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason shall constitute the Executive’s resignation from (i) any director, officer, employee or committee position the Executive has with the Company or any of its affiliates and (ii) all fiduciary positions the Executive holds with respect
6 to any employee benefit plans or trusts established by the Company. The Executive agrees that this Agreement shall serve as written notice of resignation in this circumstance; provided, however, the Executive agrees to take any additional actions that are deemed reasonably necessary by the Company to effectuate or evidence such resignations. (c) Interpretation. For purposes of this Section 7, the Board will determine in its reasonable discretion whether a termination of Executive’s employment constitutes a termination with Cause under Section 7(a)(i), a termination without Cause under Section 7(a)(ii), a resignation with Good Reason under Section 7(a)(iii), or a resignation without Good Reason under Section 7(a)(iv). If the Company consummates a Change in Control, the members of the Board as constituted immediately prior to the closing of a Change in Control (the “Incumbent Board”) shall retain authority to make the forgoing determinations concerning the termination of Executive’s employment until the second (2nd) anniversary of the closing date of the Change in Control regardless of whether the Company’s Board is reconstituted in connection with the Change in Control. Following a Change in Control, the Incumbent Board may delegate its authority under this Section 7(c) to a qualified independent third party, such as a retired judge selected by the head of the American Arbitration Association in Manhattan, an independent compensation consultant or a law firm. Section 8. Compensation upon Termination of Employment. All defined terms used in this Section but not defined in this Section or elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Covenants Agreement: (a) Termination without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason. In the event that, during the Term, the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability) or the Executive voluntarily terminates her employment for Good Reason, the Company shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive hereunder or otherwise. provide the Executive with the following payments and benefits: (i) Accrued Rights. The Company shall pay the Executive a lump-sum amount, within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date (or earlier if required by law), equal to the sum of (A) her earned but unpaid Base Salary through the last day of the Executive’s employment (“Termination Date”), (B) any bonus amount earned and vested but not paid for periods ending on or prior to the Termination Date, (C) any accrued and unused PTO per the PTO Policy, (D) any unreimbursed business expenses or other amounts due to the Executive from the Company as of the Termination Date, and (E) all other payments and benefits to which the Executive then may be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or perquisite plan or program or grant or this Agreement, including but not limited to any applicable insurance benefits (the “Accrued Rights”). (ii) Additional Payments. Subject to Sections 8(d), 8(f) and 8(g) below, the Company shall make additional payments to Executive in the form of continuation of the Executive’s then-current Base Salary (the “Additional Payments”) for a period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Termination Date (the “Severance Period”), payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, commencing on the Company’s first regular payroll date that occurs on or immediately after the 60th day following the Termination Date; provided, however, the first installment payment of the
7 Additional Payments shall include the cumulative amount of payments that would have been paid to the Executive during the period of time between the Termination Date and the date the Additional Payments commence had such payments commenced immediately following the Termination Date. (iii) COBRA Assistance. If Executive then participates in the Company’s medical and/or dental plans and Executive timely elects to continue and maintain group health plan coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), then, subject to Sections 8(f) and 8(g) below, the Company will reimburse Executive monthly for the duration of the Severance Period the cost of such coverage for the Severance Period, which payments will be equal to the amount of the monthly premium for such coverage (the “COBRA Assistance”); provided, however, if the Company is unable to provide the COBRA Assistance without incurring tax penalties or violating applicable nondiscrimination requirements or the Company terminates the health plans in which Executive is participating and no other health plan is required to provide the COBRA Assistance to Executive, then in lieu of the forgoing benefit, the Company will pay Participant a lump sum cash payment equal to the aggregate cost of the remaining Severance Period for which benefits were to be reimbursed, less any required withholdings within ten (10) business days after Participant’s participation in the health plan terminates. (iv) Bonus Payment. Subject to Sections 8(f) and 8(g) below, the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to the Target Bonus in effect for the year in which Executive’s termination occurs, payable in equal installments on the Company’s regular payroll dates, commencing on the later of (1) the Company’s first regular payroll date that occurs on or immediately after the 60th day following the Termination Date, and (2) the date that Executive’s Annual Bonus for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs would have been paid under Section 4(d) above if Executive had remained employed until the end of such calendar year, and ending on the last payroll date in the Severance Period. (v) Options. The Company shall provide that the time period that the Executive may have to exercise any fully vested option equity awards shall be extended for a period equal to the shorter of (i) one (1) year following the Termination Date, or (ii) the remaining term of the award. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8(a)(v), all stock options shall be treated in accordance with the terms of the stock option award and the Company’s Equity Incentive Compensation plan pursuant to which the stock options were granted to the Executive. (vi) Change in Control Benefits. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability) or the Executive voluntarily terminates her employment for Good Reason during the period commencing on the effective date of a Change in Control and ending on the second anniversary of the effective date of a Change in Control, and subject to Executive complying with her obligations to execute and deliver a Release pursuant to Section 8(e), in addition to the payments and benefits provided under Sections 8(a)(i) and (ii), the Company will: (A) extend the Severance Period during which the Additional Payments are made pursuant to Section 8(a)(ii) through the fifteen (15) month anniversary of the Termination Date, and (B) the Company shall provide that all outstanding unvested time-based equity awards granted to the Executive shall become fully vested as of the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable under Section 8(e) and provide that the time
8 period that the Executive may have to exercise such option equity awards shall be extended for a period equal to the shorter of (i) one (1) year following the Termination Date, and (ii) the remaining term of the award. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8(a)(vi), all stock options shall be treated in accordance with the terms of the stock option award and the Company’s equity incentive plan pursuant to which the stock options were granted to the Executive; (C) pay Executive a lump sum amount equal to 125% of Executive’s then Target Bonus on the date the Company pays the first installment of the Additional Payments under Section 8(a)(ii), and (D) increase the COBRA Assistance payable under Section 8(a)(iii) to equal the entire amount of the monthly premium for such coverage, and extend the period of COBRA Assistance through the fifteen (15) month anniversary of the Termination Date. For purposes of this Section, a “Change in Control” means (v) a transaction or a series of related transactions in which all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are transferred to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or group who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of such sale; (w) any person or group becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of the Company’s outstanding equity representing more than thirty percent (30%) of the total voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding equity; (x) the Company undergoes a merger, reorganization or other consolidation in which the holders of the outstanding equity of the Company immediately prior to such merger, reorganization or consolidation own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity’s voting power immediately after the transaction; (y) the date a majority of the members of the Company’s incumbent Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by members whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority to the Company’s incumbent Board before the date of the appointment or election, or (z) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan of complete liquidation of the Company, provided further that the Change in Control meets all of the requirements of a “change in the ownership of a corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(v), a “change in the effective ownership of a corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A- 3(i)(5)(vi), or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the corporation’s assets” within in the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii). (b) Resignation without Good Reason, Termination for Cause or upon Death or Disability (i) In the event that during the Term the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause or the Executive voluntarily terminates her employment other than for Good Reason, the Company shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive hereunder or otherwise, pay and/or provide the Executive with any Accrued Rights under Section 8(a)(i) hereof. All stock options shall be treated in accordance with the terms of the stock option award and the Company’s equity incentive plan pursuant to which the stock options were granted to the Executive. (ii) In the event that during the Term the Executive’s employment is terminated due to the Executive’s death or Disability, the Company shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive (or her estate, if applicable) hereunder or otherwise, (A) pay and/or provide the Executive (or her estate with) with any Accrued Rights under
9 Section 8(a)(i) hereof, and (B) subject to Sections 8(f) and 8(g) below, provide the COBRA Assistance under Section 8(a)(iii). All stock options shall be treated in accordance with the terms of the stock option award and the Company’s equity incentive plan pursuant to which the stock options were granted to the Executive. (c) No Further Rights, Continued Obligations under the Covenants Agreement. The Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement or otherwise to receive any other compensation or benefits after such termination or resignation of employment under the Company’s severance arrangements or otherwise, except with respect to the payments and benefits specifically provided for under this Section 8. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, on the expiration of the Term or the earlier termination of her employment for any reason or no reason (whether initiated by the Executive or the Company), the Executive shall continue to be bound by her obligations pursuant to the Covenants Agreement. (d) Payment. Notwithstanding anything in Section 8(a) to the contrary, and subject to Section 20 below, prior to the date the first payment is made under Section 8(a)(ii), Executive may elect to receive a portion of the aggregate amount to which Executive is eligible to receive under Section 8(a)(ii) equal to (i) the product of the compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17), and (ii) two (2), in a lump sum payment on the next payroll period following the Termination Date. For the avoidance of doubt, any payment made pursuant to this Section 8(d) shall be considered a right to receive a series of separate payments (the “First Separation Benefit Plan”), and Executive shall continue to be eligible to receive any amounts pursuant to Section 7(a) in accordance with the terms of Section 8(a)(ii), less any amounts paid under the First Separation Benefit Plan. (e) Release of Claims. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company’s provision of the payments and benefits under Sections 8(a)(ii), 8(a)(iii), 8(a)(iv), 8(a)(v), and 8(a)(vi) hereof shall be contingent in all respects on the Executive (or, if applicable, her estate) executing (and not revoking) a general release of claims against the Company, its affiliates and related parties, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the “Release”) and the Release becoming effective (and no longer subject to revocation) within sixty (60) days following the Termination Date. (f) Breach of Release or Covenants Agreement. Notwithstanding anything set forth in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of a material breach by the Executive of her obligations under the Covenants Agreement or the Release Agreement and in addition to any other remedies under the Covenants Agreement, the Release Agreement or at law or in equity, the Company shall have no further obligations under Sections 8(a)(ii), 8(a)(iii), 8(a)(iv), or 8(c)(ii) (if and as applicable) and the Executive shall be required, upon demand, to return to the Company any payments previously made by the Company pursuant to Section 8(a)(ii), 8(a)(iii), 8(a)(iv), or 8(c)(ii). (g) Mitigation of Damages. In no event shall the Executive be obliged to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the severance benefits payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any severance benefit hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer, except as set forth in this Agreement.
10 Section 9. Covenants Agreement; Corporate Policies. (a) Covenants Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that Executive has executed and remains bound by the Covenants Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and that the terms of the Covenants Agreement remain in full force and effect and shall survive the expiration of this Agreement or the earlier termination of Executive’s employment hereunder. (b) Corporate Policies. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that during the Term, she will be bound by, and comply with, the Company’s various written corporate policies applicable to other senior executives of the Company, including but not limited to its expense reimbursement policies. Section 10. Withholding Taxes. The Company may directly or indirectly withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all Federal, state, city or other taxes and all other deductions as shall be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling or pursuant to any contributory benefit plan maintained by the Company in which the Executive may participate. Section 11. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, by certified or registered mail or by use of an independent third party commercial delivery service for same day or next day delivery and providing a signed receipt as follows: To the Company: Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. 110 Allen Road, 2nd Floor Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 Attention: General Counsel To the Executive: Kristen K. Buck, M.D. 727 Creek Road Warminster, PA 18974 or to such other address as either party shall have previously specified in writing to the other. Notice by mail shall be deemed effective on the second business day after its deposit with the United States Postal Service, notice by same day courier service shall be deemed effective on the day of deposit with the delivery service and notice by next day delivery service shall be deemed effective on the day following the deposit with the delivery service. Section 12. No Attachment. Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any
11 such action shall be null, void and of no effect; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall preclude the assumption of such rights by executors, administrators or other legal representatives of the Executive or her estate and their conveying any rights hereunder to the person or persons entitled thereto. Section 13. Source of Payment. All payments provided for under this Agreement shall be paid in cash from the general funds of the Company. The Company shall not be required to establish a special or separate fund or other segregation of assets to assure such payments, and, if the Company shall make any investments to aid it in meeting its obligations hereunder, the Executive shall have no right, title or interest whatever in or to any such investments except as may otherwise be expressly provided in a separate written instrument relating to such investments. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship, between the Company and the Executive or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company hereunder, such right, without prejudice to rights which Executives may have, shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured creditor of the Company. Section 14. Binding Agreement; No Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Executive and the Company and their respective permitted successors, assigns, heirs, beneficiaries and representatives. This Agreement is personal to the Executive and may not be assigned by her. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Company except in connection with a sale of all or substantially all of its assets or a merger or consolidation of the Company, and the acquiring Company or entity expressly assumes this Agreement. Any attempted assignment in violation of this Section shall be null and void. Section 15. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. The validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey. In addition, the Executive and the Company irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court sitting in New Jersey for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on the Executive or the Company anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of notices under this Agreement. The Executive and the Company irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding and to the laying of venue in such court. In any such action or proceeding, the court shall have the authority to award reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees to the party that substantially prevails. Section 16. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement (including Exhibit A) embodies the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and may only be amended or otherwise modified by a writing executed by all of the parties hereto. Section 17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
12 Section 18. Severability; Blue-Penciling. The provisions, sections and paragraphs, and the specific terms set forth therein, of this Agreement (including Exhibit A) are severable, except as specifically provided to the contrary herein. If any provision, section or paragraph, or specific term contained therein, of this Agreement or the application thereof is determined by a court to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, that provision, section, paragraph or term shall not be a part of this Agreement, and the legality, validity and enforceability of remaining provisions, sections and paragraphs, and all other terms therein, of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that as to herself, the restrictive covenants contained in the Covenants Agreement (the “Restrictive Covenants”) are reasonable and valid in geographical and temporal scope and in all other respects. If any court determines that any of such Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect, without regard to the invalid portions. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the Restrictive Covenants will be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any Restrictive Covenant shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such Restrictive Covenant shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary in order that such provision be valid and enforceable, such amendment to apply only with respect to the operation of such Restrictive Covenant in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. Section 19. Prior Agreements. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (including verbal agreements) between Executive and the Company regarding the terms and conditions of Executive’s employment with the Company. Section 20. 409A Compliance. (a) It is intended that each installment of the payments and benefits provided under Section 7 of this Agreement shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). (b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of Section 7 and 8 of this Agreement unless she would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii). (c) The severance payments set forth in Section 8(a)(i) of this Agreement are intended to comply with the involuntary separation pay plan exception to Section 409A set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) to the extent that the payments due under Section 8(a) are in the aggregate less than the lesser of two times the lesser of (i) the sum of the Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay for services provided to the Company for the taxable year of the Company preceding the taxable year in which the Termination Date occurs (adjusted for any increase during that year that was expected to continue indefinitely if Executive had not separated from service) and (ii) the applicable compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which the Termination Date occurs shall be in accordance with as an involuntary separation plan.
13 (d) The payment set forth in Section 8(a)(iv) of this Agreement is intended to comply with the short-term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Code set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(4). (e) All references in this Agreement to Executive’s termination of employment shall mean Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h). (f) Executive acknowledges and agrees that notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the Company and its affiliates are not providing Executive with any tax advice with respect to Section 409A of the Code or otherwise and are not making any guarantees or other assurances of any kind to Executive with respect to the tax consequences or treatment of any amounts paid or payable to Executive under this Agreement. (g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if necessary to comply with the restriction in Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code concerning payments to “specified Executives,” any payment on account of the Executive’s separation from service that would otherwise be due hereunder within six (6) months after such separation shall nonetheless be delayed until the first business day of the seventh month following the Executive’s date of termination and the first such payment shall include the cumulative amount of any payments that would have been paid prior to such date if not for such restriction, together with interest on such cumulative amount during the period of such restriction at a rate, per annum, equal to the applicable federal short-term rate (compounded monthly) in effect under Section 1274(d) of the Code on the date of termination. If the Executive dies during the six-month postponement period prior to the payment, the amount of the payment deferred on account of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the personal representative of the Executive’s estate within thirty (30) days after the date of the Executive’s death. For purposes of Section 8 hereof, the Executive shall be a “specified Executive” for the 12-month period beginning on the first day of the fourth month following each “Identification Date” if he is a “key Executive” (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to Section 416(i)(5) thereof) of the Company at any time during the 12-month period ending on the “Identification Date.” For purposes of the foregoing, the Identification Date shall be December 31. (h) To the extent that any provision in this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that no payments due under this Agreement shall be subject to an “additional tax” as defined in Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. (i) All reimbursements provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
14 (j) In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A. Section 21. Section 280G Limitation. If any payment(s) or benefit(s) the Executive would receive pursuant to this Agreement and/or pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement would (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, (b) but for this Section, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), and if the net-after tax amount (taking into account all applicable taxes payable by the Executive, including any Excise Tax) that the Executive would receive with respect to such payments or benefits does not exceed the Reduced Amount, then such payment(s) or benefit(s) (collectively, “Payments”) shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be the largest portion of the Payments that can be paid or provided without causing any portion of the Payments being subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payments equal the Reduced Amount, reduction shall occur in the following order: (i) first, any base salary severance payments (with payments paid latest in time reduced in first); (ii) second, any other cash payments due under any other agreement between the Company and the Executive; (iii) third, cancellation of the acceleration of vesting of any stock options; (iv) fourth, cancellation of the acceleration of vesting of any restricted stock and restricted stock units; and (v) lastly, other non-cash forms of benefits. Calculations of the foregoing will be performed at the expense of the Company by an accounting firm selected by the Company. The determinations of such accounting firm shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and the Executive. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers and the Executive has signed this Agreement. all as of the first date above written but effective as of the Effective Date. /s/ Kristen K. Buck, M.D. Kristen K. Buck, M.D. /s/ David J. Mazzo David J. Mazzo, Ph.D. President & CEO, Lisata Therapeutics, Inc.
15 Exhibit A to Employment Agreement Employee Confidentiality, Non-Compete and Inventions Assignment Agreement I (the “Employee”) recognize that Lisata Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of cellular therapies designed to reverse disease and/or promote the regeneration of damaged tissue. The Company is developing first-in-class therapeutics based on the characteristics of naturally occurring CD34+ cells and their ability to stimulate the growth of new microvasculature. Its technology leverages these cells to enable the body’s natural repair mechanisms using formulations unique to each medical indication (the “Business”). The “Business” also includes any other regenerative medicine, cellular therapies or other therapeutic developments initiatives that are or become a part of the Company’s (or its subsidiaries’) business during my employment tenure with the Company. Any company with which the Company enters into, or seeks or considers entering into, a business relationship in furtherance of the Business is referred to as a “Business Partner.” I understand that as part of my performance of duties as an employee of the Company (the “Engagement”), I will have access to confidential or proprietary information of the Company and the Business Partners, and I may make new contributions and inventions of value to the Company. I further understand that my Engagement creates in me a duty of trust and confidentiality to the Company with respect to any information: (1) related, applicable or useful to the business of the Company, including the Company’s anticipated research and development or such activities of its Business Partners; (2) resulting from tasks performed by me for the Company; (3) resulting from the use of equipment, supplies or facilities owned, leased or contracted for by the Company; or (4) related, applicable or useful to the business of any partner, client or customer of the Company, which may be made known to me or learned by me during the period of my Engagement. For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions apply: “Proprietary Information” shall mean information relating to the Business or the business of any Business Partner and generally unavailable to the public that has been created, discovered, developed or otherwise has become known to the Company or in which property rights have been assigned or otherwise conveyed to the Company or a Business Partner, which information has economic value or potential economic value to the business in which the Company is or will be engaged. Proprietary Information shall include, but not be limited to, trade secrets, processes, formulas, writings, data, know-how, negative know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs, inventions, techniques, technical data, patent applications, customer and supplier lists, financial information, business plans or projections and any modifications or enhancements to any of the above. “Inventions” shall mean all Business-related discoveries, developments, designs, improvements, inventions, formulas, software programs, processes, techniques, know-how, writings, graphics and other data, whether or not patentable or registrable under patent, copyright or similar statutes, that are related to or useful in the business or future business of the Company or its Business Partners or result from use of premises or other property owned, leased or contracted for by the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Inventions shall
16 also include anything related to the Business that derives actual or potential economic value from not being generally known to the public or to other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use. As part of the consideration for my Engagement pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement between the Company and me effective as of the Start Date (the “Employment Agreement”), and the base salary, stock options, RSUs and/or other compensation and benefits to be received by me from the Company pursuant to the Employment Agreement, I hereby agree as follows: 1. Proprietary Information and Inventions. The Company, its Business Partners or their respective assigns, as the case may be, are and shall be the sole owner of all Proprietary Information and Inventions related to the Business and the sole owner of all patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, mask rights and other rights (collectively referred to herein as “Rights”) pertaining to any Proprietary Information or Inventions. I hereby acknowledge that all original works of authorship that are made by me (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of my Engagement and which are protectable by copyright are “works for hire” as that term is defined in the United States Copyright Act (17 USCA, Section 101). I further hereby assign to the Company, any Rights I may have or acquire in any Proprietary Information or Inventions which arise in the course of my Engagement. I further agree to assist the Company or any person designated by it in every proper way (but at the Company’s expense) to obtain and from time to time enforce Rights relating to said Proprietary Information or Inventions in any and all countries. I will execute all documents for use in applying for, obtaining and enforcing such Rights in such Proprietary Information or Inventions as the Company may desire, together with any assignments thereof to the Company or persons designated by it. My obligation to assist the Company or any person designated by it in obtaining and enforcing Rights relating to Proprietary Information or Inventions shall continue beyond the cessation of my Engagement (“Cessation of my Engagement”). In the event the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure my signature on any document or documents needed to apply for or enforce any Right relating to Proprietary Information or to an Invention, whether because of my physical or mental incapacity or for any other reason whatsoever, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agents and attorneys-in-fact to act for and in my behalf and stead in the execution and filing of any such application and in furthering the application for and enforcement of Rights with the same legal force and effect as if such acts were performed by me. 2. Confidentiality. At all times, both during my Engagement and after the Cessation of my Engagement, whether the cessation is voluntary or involuntary, for any reason or no reason, or by disability, I will keep in strictest confidence and trust all Proprietary Information, and I will not disclose or use or permit the use or disclosure of any Proprietary Information or Rights pertaining to Proprietary Information, or anything related thereto, without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing my duties for the Company or to enforce any of my rights under my Employment Agreement. I recognize that the Company has received and in the future will receive from third parties (including Business Partners) their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. I agree that I owe the Company and such third parties (including Business Partners), during my Engagement and after the Cessation of my Engagement, a duty to hold all such confidential or
17 proprietary information in the strictest confidence, and I will not disclose or use or permit the use or disclosure of any such confidential or proprietary information without the prior written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing my duties for the Company consistent with the Company’s agreement with such third party or to enforce any of my rights under my Employment Agreement or otherwise. 3. Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. (a) During my Engagement, and for a period of two (2) years after the Cessation of my Engagement, I will not directly or indirectly, whether alone or in concert with others or as a partner, officer, director, consultant, agent, employee or stockholder of any company or commercial enterprise, engage in any activity in the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe that is in Competition with the Company concerning its work or any Business Partner’s work in the Business. Further during my Engagement and for a period of two (2) years after the Cessation of my Engagement, I agree not to plan or otherwise take any preliminary steps, either alone or in concert with others to set up or reengage in any business enterprise that would be in Competition with the Company in the Business: provided, however, that the foregoing shall not restrict my ability to seek other employment following the Cessation of my Engagement (whether or riot I am receiving or have received any Additional Payments) as long as I do not actually commence such employment. In addition, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude me from providing services to an entity which operates multiple businesses including indirectly, through its affiliates, a business that is in Competition with the Company’s Business, if that competitive affiliate is not a material part of the business of such entity and if I do not provide services, directly or indirectly, with respect to, or have supervisory or executive authority with respect to, any such affiliate which is itself directly engaged in such business that is in Competition with the Company’s work in the Business. For purposes of this Agreement, “Competition” shall mean any involvement in any project competitive with the Business (as defined above) or the therapies being developed as part of the Business. (b) During my Engagement and for a period of two (2) years after the Cessation of my Engagement, I will not directly or indirectly, whether alone or in concert with others or as a partner, officer, director, consultant, agent, employee or stockholder of any company or commercial enterprise, either alone or in concert with others, not take any of the following actions: (i) persuade or attempt to persuade any Business Partner, Customer, Prospective Customer or Supplier to cease doing business with the Company, or to reduce the amount of business it does with the Company; (ii) persuade or attempt to persuade any Service Provider to cease providing services to the Company or any Business Partner; or (iii) solicit for hire or hire for myself or for any Person any Service Provider The following definitions are applicable to this Section 3(b): (A) “Customer” means any Person that purchased goods or services from the Company, or engages in a collaborative arrangement with the Company, at any time within I year prior to the date of the solicitation prohibited by Section 3(b)(i) or (ii).
18 (B) “Prospective Customer” means any Person with whom the Company met or to whom the Company presented for the purpose of soliciting the Person to become a Customer of the Company within 6 months prior to the date of the solicitation prohibited by Section 3(b)(i) or (ii). (C) “Service Provider” means any Person who is an employee or independent contractor of the Company or the Company or who was within twelve (12) months preceding the solicitation prohibited by Section 3(b)(iii) or (iv) an employee or independent contractor of the Company or the Company. (D) “Supplier” means any Person that sold goods or services to the Company, or engages in a collaborative arrangement with the Company at any time within twelve (12) months prior to the date of the solicitation prohibited by Section 3(b)(i) or (ii). (E) “Person” means an individual, a sole proprietorship, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, an association, a trust, or other business entity, whether or not incorporated. (c) The following shall not be deemed to breach the foregoing obligations: my ownership of stock, partnership interests or other securities of any entity not in excess of two percent (2%) of any class of such interests or securities that are publicly traded. (d) Employee acknowledges that (i) the restrictions contained in this section are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company, (ii) that the term of this obligation is reasonable in scope, and (iii) that this obligation is a material term, without which the Company would be unwilling to enter into an employment relationship with the Employee. 4. Delivery of Company Property and Work Product. In the event of the Cessation of my Engagement, I will deliver to the Company all biological materials, devices, records, sketches, reports, memoranda, notes, proposals, lists, correspondence, equipment, documents, photographs, photostats, negatives, undeveloped film, drawings, specifications, tape recordings or other electronic recordings, programs, data, marketing material and other materials or property of any nature belonging to the Company or its clients or customers, and I will not take with me, or allow a third party to take, any of the foregoing or any reproduction of any of the foregoing. 5. No Conflict. I represent, warrant and covenant that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement and the performance of my duties for the Company does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my Engagement. I have not entered into, and I agree that I will not enter into, any agreement, either written or oral, in conflict herewith. 6. No Use of Confidential Information. I represent, warrant and covenant that I have not brought and will not bring with me to the Company or use in my Engagement any materials or documents of a former employer, or any person or entity for which I have acted as an independent contractor or consultant, that are not generally available to the public, unless I have obtained written authorization from any such former employer, person or firm for their possession and use.
19 I understand and agree that, in my service to the Company, I am not to breach any obligation of confidentiality that I have to former employers or other persons. 7. Enforcement; Equitable Relief. Employee acknowledges that any breach or threatened breach by Employee of any provision of this Agreement may result in immediate and irreparable injury to the Company, and that such injury may not be readily compensable by monetary damages. In the event of any such breach or threatened breach, Employee acknowledges that, in addition to all other remedies available at law and equity, the Company shall be entitled to seek equitable relief (including a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction and/or a permanent injunction), and an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits or other benefits arising from such breach and will be entitled to receive such other damages, director consequential, as may be appropriate. In addition, and not instead of, those rights, Employee further acknowledges that Employee shall be responsible for payment of the fees and expenses of the Company’s attorneys and experts, as well as the Company’s court costs, pertaining to any suit, action, or other proceeding, arising directly or indirectly out of Employee’s violation or threatened violation of any of the provisions of this section. The Company shall not be required to post any bond or other security in connection with any proceeding to enforce this section. 8. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or otherwise invalid as written, the same shall be enforced and validated to the extent permitted by law. All provisions of this Agreement are severable, and the unenforceability or invalidity of any single provision hereof shall not affect the remaining provisions. 9. Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New Jersey applied to contracts made and performed wholly within such state. No implied waiver of any provision within this Agreement shall arise in the absence of a waiver in writing, and no waiver with respect to a specific circumstance, event or occasion shall be construed as a continuing waiver as to similar circumstances, events or occasions. This Agreement, together with the employment agreement between the Company and myself, contains the sole and entire agreement and understanding between the Company and myself with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and replaces any prior agreements to the extent any such agreement is inconsistent herewith. This Agreement can be amended, modified, released or changed in whole or in part only by a written agreement executed by the Company and myself. This Agreement shall be binding upon me, my heirs, executors, assigns and administrators, and it shall inure to the benefit of the Company and each of its successors or assigns. This Agreement shall be effective as of the first day of my being retained to render services to the Company, even if such date precedes the date I sign this Agreement. 10. Thorough Understanding of Agreement. I have read all of this Agreement and understand it completely, and by my signature below I represent that this Agreement is the only statement made by or on behalf of the Company upon which I have relied in signing this Agreement.
20 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have caused this Employee Confidentiality, Non-Compete and Inventions Assignment Agreement to be signed on the date written below. DATED: June 10, 2025 Kristen K. Buck, MD /s/ Kristen K. Buck, M.D.
EX-10.3
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ex103arseparationbenefit.htm
EX-10.3
ex103arseparationbenefit
Exhibit 10.3 AMENDED AND RESTATED SEPARATION BENEFITS AGREEMENT This SEPARATION BENEFITS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 10, 2025, is by and between Lisata Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”) and James Nisco (“Executive”). WITNESSETH WHEREAS, the Company and Executive previously entered into the Prior Agreements (as defined in Section 1(f) below); and WHEREAS the Company desires to enter in an agreement setting forth the mutual understandings and agreements reached between the Company and Executive with respect to Executive’s benefits upon a separation of employment with the Company, as set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: Section 1. Definitions. As used herein the following terms shall have the following meanings: (a) “Cause” shall mean that Executive has: (i) committed gross negligence in connection with Executive’s duties or otherwise with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (ii) committed fraud in connection with Executive’s duties or otherwise with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (iii) engaged in personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, willful violation of any law, or breach of fiduciary duty, in each instance, with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (iv) been indicted for, or has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have committed or pled guilty to, (A) a felony (or state law equivalent) or (B) any other serious crime involving moral turpitude or that has (or is reasonably likely to have) a material adverse effect either on (x) Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties for the Company or (y) the reputation and goodwill of the Company, regardless of whether or not such other crime is related or unrelated to the business of the Company, its subsidiaries or other affiliates; (v) shown chronic use of alcohol, drugs or other similar substances that materially affects Executive’s work performance; (vi) breached Executive’s obligations under any written agreement between Executive and the Company related to confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation or the assignment of intellectual property; (vii) failed to materially perform Executive’s duties or to follow the lawful directives of the Company; provided, that, if such failure described in this clause (vii) is susceptible to cure (as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”)), Executive shall have thirty (30) days after notice from the Company to cure such failure; or (viii) materially violated the Company’s written code of conduct or other written or established policies and/or procedures in place from time to time; provided, that, if such violation described in this clause (viii) is susceptible to cure (as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board), Executive
shall have thirty (30) days after notice from the Company to cure such violation. Any notice to Executive under this Section 1(b) shall be in writing and shall specify in reasonable detail Executive’s acts or omissions that the Company alleges constitute “Cause.” (b) “Change in Control” shall mean a transaction or a series of related transactions in which: (i) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are transferred to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or group who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of such sale; (ii) any person or group becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of the Company’s outstanding equity representing more than thirty percent (30%) of the total voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding equity; (iii) the Company undergoes a merger, reorganization or other consolidation in which the holders of the outstanding equity of the Company immediately prior to such merger, reorganization or consolidation own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity’s voting power immediately after the transaction; (iv) the date a majority of the members of the Company’s incumbent Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by members whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority to the Company’s incumbent Board before the date of the appointment or election, or (v) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan of complete liquidation of the Company, provided further that the Change in Control meets all of the requirements of a “change in the ownership of a corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(v), a “change in the effective ownership of a corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi), or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the corporation’s assets” within in the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii). (c) “Disability” shall mean that Executive has been unable to perform Executive’s duties to the Company on account of physical or mental illness or incapacity for a period of ninety (90) consecutive calendar days, or one hundred twenty (120) calendar days (whether or not consecutive) during any three hundred sixty five- (365-) day period, as a result of a condition that is treated as a total or permanent disability under the long-term insurance policy of the Company that covers Executive. (d) “Good Reason” shall mean (i) a material reduction in Executive’s base salary; (ii) Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities, or authority have been materially reduced or Executive has been repeatedly assigned duties that are materially inconsistent with Executive’s duties, in each case, without Executive’s consent; or (iii) the requirement that Executive relocate Executive’s primary place of employment more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s current place of employment (unless such location is closer to Executive’s primary residence). “Good Reason” shall not be deemed to exist, however, unless (x) Executive has given written notice to the Company specifying in reasonable detail the Company’s acts or omissions that Executive alleges constitutes “Good Reason” within sixty (60) days after the first occurrence of such circumstances and the Company shall have failed to cure any such act or omission within sixty (60) days of receipt of such written notice, and (y) Executive actually terminates Executive’s employment within one hundred eighty (180) days following the initial occurrence of the condition Executive considers to be “Good Reason.” If Executive fails to provide this notice and cure period
prior to Executive’s resignation or resigns more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the initial existence of the condition, Executive’s resignation will not be deemed to be for “Good Reason.” (e) “Prior Agreements” shall mean the Change in Control Letter Agreement between Executive and Caladrius Biosciences (the Company’s predecessor) dated as of September 12, 2016 and Revised as of March 25, 2022 and the Non-Change in Control (CIC)* Separation Pay Agreement between the Company and Executive, dated as of December 24, 2025. Section 2. Separation Benefits. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause (other than by reason of Executive’s death or Disability) or Executive terminates Executive’s employment for Good Reason at any time prior to the effective date of a Change in Control, subject to Executive’s execution of the Release (as defined in Section 4 below), the Company will: (a) Pay the Executive a lump-sum amount, within thirty (30) days following the date the termination of Executive’s employment becomes effective (the “Termination Date”) (or earlier if required by law), equal to the sum of (i) his earned but unpaid Base Salary through (ii) any bonus amount earned and vested but not paid for periods ending on or prior to the Termination Date, (iii) any accrued and unused Paid Time Off (“PTO”) per the PTO Policy, (iv) any unreimbursed business expenses or other amounts due to the Executive from the Company as of the Termination Date, and (v) all other payments and benefits to which the Executive then may be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or perquisite plan or program or grant, including but not limited to any applicable insurance benefits; (b) Continue to pay Executive’s current base salary for a period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Termination Date (the “Severance Period”), commencing on the next payroll period following the effective date of the Release (subject to Executive’s rights set forth in Section 4 below); (c) Pay Executive a lump amount equal to 100% of Executive’s then annual target bonus on the next payroll period following the effective date of the Release; (d) If Executive then participates in the Company’s medical and/or dental plans and Executive timely elects to continue and maintain group health plan coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), reimburse Executive monthly for the duration of the Severance Period, the cost of such coverage for the Severance Period, which payments will be equal to the amount of the monthly premium for such coverage (the “COBRA Assistance”); provided, however, if the Company is unable to provide the COBRA Assistance without incurring tax penalties or violating applicable nondiscrimination requirements or the Company terminates the health plans in which Executive is participating and no other health plan is required to provide the COBRA Assistance to Executive, then in lieu of the forgoing benefit, the Company will pay Executive a lump sum cash payment equal to the aggregate cost of the remaining Severance Period for which benefits were to be reimbursed, less any required withholdings within ten (10) business days after Executive’s participation in the health plan terminates; and
(e) extend the exercise date of any vested options to the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the Termination Date and the original expiration date of the options (the foregoing (b) through (e), the “Separation Benefits”). Section 3. Additional Change in Control Separation Benefits. If the Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability) or the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment for Good Reason during the period commencing on the effective date of a Change in Control and ending on the second anniversary of the effective date of a Change in Control, in addition to the Separation Benefits set forth in Section 2, the Company will fully vest as of the Termination Date all outstanding unvested equity awards, including options granted to the Executive. Section 4. Payment; Release. (a) Notwithstanding anything in Section 2 to the contrary, and subject to Section 5 below, prior to the date the first payment is made under Section 2, Executive may elect to receive a portion of the aggregate amount to which Executive is eligible to receive under Section 2(b) equal to (a) the product of the compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17), and (b) two (2), in a lump sum payment on the next payroll period following the Termination Date. For the avoidance of doubt, any payment made pursuant to this Section 3 shall be considered a right to receive a series of separate payments (the “First Separation Benefit Plan”), and Executive shall continue to be eligible to receive any amounts pursuant to Section 2(b) in accordance with the terms of Section 2(b), less any amounts paid under the First Separation Benefit Plan. (b) Executive’s right to the payments and benefits described in Section 2 and Section 3 is conditioned upon Executive’s executing and not revoking a valid separation and general release agreement in a form provided by the Company (the “Release”), and provided such release becomes effective and irrevocable within sixty (60) days following termination or such shorter time period set forth therein, releasing the Company, its subsidiaries, other affiliates and shareholders from any and all liability. Any payments or benefits due for the period after termination and before the Release becomes effective shall be paid with the first payment after the Release becomes effective. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the period during which Executive has discretion to execute or revoke the Release straddles two (2) calendar years, the Company shall make payments conditioned on the Release no earlier than January 1st of the second (2nd) calendar year, regardless of the year in which the Release becomes effective. Section 5. Interpretation. The Board will determine in its reasonable discretion whether a termination of Executive’s employment would entitle Executive to the severance benefits set forth in Sections 2 and 3. If the Company consummates a Change in Control, the members of the Board as constituted immediately prior to the closing of a Change in Control (the “Incumbent Board”) shall retain authority to make the forgoing determinations concerning the termination of Executive’s employment until the second (2nd) anniversary of the closing date of the Change in Control regardless of whether the Company’s Board is reconstituted in connection with the Change in Control. Following a Change in Control, the Incumbent Board may delegate its authority under this Section 5 to a qualified independent third party, such as a retired judge selected by the head of the American Arbitration Association in Manhattan, an independent compensation consultant or a law firm
Section 6. Section 409A. (a) It is intended that each installment of the payments and benefits provided under Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). (b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of Section 6 and 7 of this Agreement unless he would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii). (c) The severance payments set forth in Section 2(b) of this Agreement are intended to comply with the involuntary separation pay plan exception to Section 409A set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) to the extent that the payments due under Section 2(b) are in the aggregate less than the lesser of two times the lesser of (i) the sum of the Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay for services provided to the Company for the taxable year of the Company preceding the taxable year in which the Termination Date occurs (adjusted for any increase during that year that was expected to continue indefinitely if Executive had not separated from service) and (ii) the applicable compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which the Termination Date occurs shall be in accordance with as an involuntary separation plan. (d) The payment set forth in Section 2(c) of this Agreement is intended to comply with the short-term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Code set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(4). (e) All references in this Agreement to Executive’s termination of employment shall mean Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h). (f) Executive acknowledges and agrees that notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the Company and its affiliates are not providing Executive with any tax advice with respect to Section 409A of the Code or otherwise and are not making any guarantees or other assurances of any kind to Executive with respect to the tax consequences or treatment of any amounts paid or payable to Executive under this Agreement. (g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if necessary to comply with the restriction in Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) concerning payments to “specified Executives,” any payment on account of the Executive’s separation from service that would otherwise be due hereunder within six (6) months after such separation shall nonetheless be delayed until the first business day of the seventh month following the Executive’s date of termination and the first such payment shall include the cumulative amount of any payments that would have been paid prior to such date if not for such restriction, together with interest on such cumulative amount during the period of such restriction at a rate, per annum, equal to the applicable federal short-term rate (compounded monthly) in effect under Section 1274(d) of the Code on the date of termination. If the Executive dies during the six- month postponement period prior to the payment, the amount of the payment deferred on account
of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the personal representative of the Executive’s estate within 30 days after the date of the Executive’s death. For purposes of this Section 5, the Executive shall be a “specified Executive” for the 12-month period beginning on the first day of the fourth month following each “Identification Date” if he is a “key Executive” (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to Section 416(i)(5) thereof) of the Company at any time during the 12-month period ending on the “Identification Date.” For purposes of the foregoing, the Identification Date shall be December 31. (h) To the extent that any provision in this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that no payments due under this Agreement shall be subject to an “additional tax” as defined in Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. (i) In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A. Section 6. Section 280G Limitation. If any payment(s) or benefit(s) Executive would receive pursuant to this Agreement and/or pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement would (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, (b) but for this Section 5, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), and (c) if the net-after tax amount (taking into account all applicable taxes payable by Executive, including any Excise Tax) that Executive would receive with respect to such payments or benefits does not exceed the Reduced Amount, then such payment(s) or benefit(s) (collectively, “Payments”) shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be the largest portion of the Payments that can be paid or provided without causing any portion of the Payments being subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payments equal the Reduced Amount, reduction shall occur in the following order: (i) first, any base salary severance payments; (ii) second, any other cash payments due under any other agreement between the Company and Executive; (iii) third, cancellation of the acceleration of vesting of any stock options; (iv) fourth, cancellation of the acceleration of vesting of any restricted stock and restricted stock units; and (v) lastly, other non-cash forms of benefits. Calculations of the foregoing will be performed at the expense of the Company by an accounting firm selected by the Company. The determinations of such accounting firm shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive. Section 7. Severance Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s severance rights arise solely under this Agreement. Executive is not a “Participant” in Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. Severance Plan, effective June 10, 2025 (the “Severance Plan”) and is not entitled to any benefits under the Severance Plan. Section 8. Binding Agreement; No Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, Executive and the Company and their respective permitted successors, assigns, heirs, beneficiaries and representatives. This Agreement is personal to Executive and may not be assigned by Executive. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Company except in connection with a sale of all or substantially all of its assets or a merger or
consolidation of the Company, and the acquiring Company or entity expressly assumes this Agreement. Any attempted assignment in violation of this Section 8 shall be null and void. Section 9. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. The validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey. In addition, Executive and the Company irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court sitting in New Jersey for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on Executive or the Company anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of notices under this Agreement. Executive and the Company irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding and to the laying of venue in such court. In any such action or proceeding, the court shall have the authority to award reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees to the party that substantially prevails. Section 10. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and may only be amended or otherwise modified by a writing executed by all of the parties hereto. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, written or verbal, between Executive and the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the subject matter hereof, including the Prior Agreements. Section 11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. Section 12. Severability. If any provision, section or paragraph, or specific term contained therein, of this Agreement or the application thereof is determined by a court to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, that provision, section, paragraph or term shall not be a part of this Agreement, and the legality, validity and enforceability of remaining provisions, sections and paragraphs, and all other terms therein, of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. [Signature Page Follows]
LISATA THERAPEUTICS, INC. By: /s/ David J. Mazzo Name: David J. Mazzo, Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer Agreed to and Accepted: /s/ James Nisco Date: June 10, 2025
EX-10.4
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EX-10.4
ex104arseparationbenefit
Exhibit 10.4 AMENDED AND RESTATED SEPARATION BENEFITS AGREEMENT This SEPARATION BENEFITS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 10, 2025, is by and between Lisata Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”) and Tariq Imam (“Executive”). WITNESSETH WHEREAS, the Company and Executive previously entered into the Prior Agreements (as defined in Section 1(f) below); and WHEREAS the Company desires to enter in an agreement setting forth the mutual understandings and agreements reached between the Company and Executive with respect to Executive’s benefits upon a separation of employment with the Company, as set forth herein. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: Section 1. Definitions. As used herein the following terms shall have the following meanings: (a) “Cause” shall mean that Executive has: (i) committed gross negligence in connection with Executive’s duties or otherwise with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (ii) committed fraud in connection with Executive’s duties or otherwise with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (iii) engaged in personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, willful violation of any law, or breach of fiduciary duty, in each instance, with respect to the business and affairs of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its other affiliates; (iv) been indicted for, or has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have committed or pled guilty to, (A) a felony (or state law equivalent) or (B) any other serious crime involving moral turpitude or that has (or is reasonably likely to have) a material adverse effect either on (x) Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties for the Company or (y) the reputation and goodwill of the Company, regardless of whether or not such other crime is related or unrelated to the business of the Company, its subsidiaries or other affiliates; (v) shown chronic use of alcohol, drugs or other similar substances that materially affects Executive’s work performance; (vi) breached Executive’s obligations under any written agreement between Executive and the Company related to confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation or the assignment of intellectual property; (vii) failed to materially perform Executive’s duties or to follow the lawful directives of the Company; provided, that, if such failure described in this clause (vii) is susceptible to cure (as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”)), Executive shall have thirty (30) days after notice from the Company to cure such failure; or (viii) materially violated the Company’s written code of conduct or other written or established policies and/or procedures in place from time to time; provided, that, if such violation described in this clause (viii) is susceptible to cure (as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board), Executive
shall have thirty (30) days after notice from the Company to cure such violation. Any notice to Executive under this Section 1(b) shall be in writing and shall specify in reasonable detail Executive’s acts or omissions that the Company alleges constitute “Cause.” (b) “Change in Control” shall mean a transaction or a series of related transactions in which: (i) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are transferred to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are defined in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or group who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of such sale; (ii) any person or group becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of the Company’s outstanding equity representing more than thirty percent (30%) of the total voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding equity; (iii) the Company undergoes a merger, reorganization or other consolidation in which the holders of the outstanding equity of the Company immediately prior to such merger, reorganization or consolidation own less than fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity’s voting power immediately after the transaction; (iv) the date a majority of the members of the Company’s incumbent Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by members whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority to the Company’s incumbent Board before the date of the appointment or election, or (v) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan of complete liquidation of the Company, provided further that the Change in Control meets all of the requirements of a “change in the ownership of a corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(v), a “change in the effective ownership of a corporation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi), or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the corporation’s assets” within in the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)(vii). (c) “Disability” shall mean that Executive has been unable to perform Executive’s duties to the Company on account of physical or mental illness or incapacity for a period of ninety (90) consecutive calendar days, or one hundred twenty (120) calendar days (whether or not consecutive) during any three hundred sixty five- (365-) day period, as a result of a condition that is treated as a total or permanent disability under the long-term insurance policy of the Company that covers Executive. (d) “Good Reason” shall mean (i) a material reduction in Executive’s base salary; (ii) Executive’s position, duties, responsibilities, or authority have been materially reduced or Executive has been repeatedly assigned duties that are materially inconsistent with Executive’s duties, in each case, without Executive’s consent; or (iii) the requirement that Executive relocate Executive’s primary place of employment more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s current place of employment (unless such location is closer to Executive’s primary residence). “Good Reason” shall not be deemed to exist, however, unless (x) Executive has given written notice to the Company specifying in reasonable detail the Company’s acts or omissions that Executive alleges constitutes “Good Reason” within sixty (60) days after the first occurrence of such circumstances and the Company shall have failed to cure any such act or omission within sixty (60) days of receipt of such written notice, and (y) Executive actually terminates Executive’s employment within one hundred eighty (180) days following the initial occurrence of the condition Executive considers to be “Good Reason.” If Executive fails to provide this notice and cure period
prior to Executive’s resignation or resigns more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the initial existence of the condition, Executive’s resignation will not be deemed to be for “Good Reason.” (e) “Prior Agreements” shall mean the Change in Control Letter Agreement between Executive and Caladrius Biosciences (the Company’s predecessor) dated as of March 25, 2022 and the Non-Change in Control (CIC)* Separation Pay Agreement between the Company and Executive, dated as of December 24, 2025. Section 2. Separation Benefits. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause (other than by reason of Executive’s death or Disability) or Executive terminates Executive’s employment for Good Reason at any time prior to the effective date of a Change in Control, subject to Executive’s execution of the Release (as defined in Section 4 below), the Company will: (a) Pay the Executive a lump-sum amount, within thirty (30) days following the date the termination of Executive’s employment becomes effective (the “Termination Date”) (or earlier if required by law), equal to the sum of (i) his earned but unpaid Base Salary through (ii) any bonus amount earned and vested but not paid for periods ending on or prior to the Termination Date, (iii) any accrued and unused Paid Time Off (“PTO”) per the PTO Policy, (iv) any unreimbursed business expenses or other amounts due to the Executive from the Company as of the Termination Date, and (v) all other payments and benefits to which the Executive then may be entitled under the terms of any applicable compensation arrangement or benefit, equity or perquisite plan or program or grant, including but not limited to any applicable insurance benefits; (b) Continue to pay Executive’s current base salary for a period beginning on the Termination Date and ending on the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Termination Date (the “Severance Period”), commencing on the next payroll period following the effective date of the Release (subject to Executive’s rights set forth in Section 4 below); (c) Pay Executive a lump amount equal to 100% of Executive’s then annual target bonus on the next payroll period following the effective date of the Release; (d) If Executive then participates in the Company’s medical and/or dental plans and Executive timely elects to continue and maintain group health plan coverage pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), reimburse Executive monthly for the duration of the Severance Period, the cost of such coverage for the Severance Period, which payments will be equal to the amount of the monthly premium for such coverage (the “COBRA Assistance”); provided, however, if the Company is unable to provide the COBRA Assistance without incurring tax penalties or violating applicable nondiscrimination requirements or the Company terminates the health plans in which Executive is participating and no other health plan is required to provide the COBRA Assistance to Executive, then in lieu of the forgoing benefit, the Company will pay Executive a lump sum cash payment equal to the aggregate cost of the remaining Severance Period for which benefits were to be reimbursed, less any required withholdings within ten (10) business days after Executive’s participation in the health plan terminates; and
(e) extend the exercise date of any vested options to the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the Termination Date and the original expiration date of the options (the foregoing (b) through (e), the “Separation Benefits”). Section 3. Additional Change in Control Separation Benefits. If the Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause (other than by reason of death or Disability) or the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment for Good Reason during the period commencing on the effective date of a Change in Control and ending on the second anniversary of the effective date of a Change in Control, in addition to the Separation Benefits set forth in Section 2, the Company will fully vest as of the Termination Date all outstanding unvested equity awards, including options granted to the Executive. Section 4. Payment; Release. (a) Notwithstanding anything in Section 2 to the contrary, and subject to Section 5 below, prior to the date the first payment is made under Section 2, Executive may elect to receive a portion of the aggregate amount to which Executive is eligible to receive under Section 2(b) equal to (a) the product of the compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17), and (b) two (2), in a lump sum payment on the next payroll period following the Termination Date. For the avoidance of doubt, any payment made pursuant to this Section 3 shall be considered a right to receive a series of separate payments (the “First Separation Benefit Plan”), and Executive shall continue to be eligible to receive any amounts pursuant to Section 2(b) in accordance with the terms of Section 2(b), less any amounts paid under the First Separation Benefit Plan. (b) Executive’s right to the payments and benefits described in Section 2 and Section 3 is conditioned upon Executive’s executing and not revoking a valid separation and general release agreement in a form provided by the Company (the “Release”), and provided such release becomes effective and irrevocable within sixty (60) days following termination or such shorter time period set forth therein, releasing the Company, its subsidiaries, other affiliates and shareholders from any and all liability. Any payments or benefits due for the period after termination and before the Release becomes effective shall be paid with the first payment after the Release becomes effective. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the period during which Executive has discretion to execute or revoke the Release straddles two (2) calendar years, the Company shall make payments conditioned on the Release no earlier than January 1st of the second (2nd) calendar year, regardless of the year in which the Release becomes effective. Section 5. Interpretation. The Board will determine in its reasonable discretion whether a termination of Executive’s employment would entitle Executive to the severance benefits set forth in Sections 2 and 3. If the Company consummates a Change in Control, the members of the Board as constituted immediately prior to the closing of a Change in Control (the “Incumbent Board”) shall retain authority to make the forgoing determinations concerning the termination of Executive’s employment until the second (2nd) anniversary of the closing date of the Change in Control regardless of whether the Company’s Board is reconstituted in connection with the Change in Control. Following a Change in Control, the Incumbent Board may delegate its authority under this Section 5 to a qualified independent third party, such as a retired judge selected by the head of the American Arbitration Association in Manhattan, an independent compensation consultant or a law firm
Section 6. Section 409A. (a) It is intended that each installment of the payments and benefits provided under Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). (b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of Section 6 and 7 of this Agreement unless he would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii). (c) The severance payments set forth in Section 2(b) of this Agreement are intended to comply with the involuntary separation pay plan exception to Section 409A set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) to the extent that the payments due under Section 2(b) are in the aggregate less than the lesser of two times the lesser of (i) the sum of the Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay for services provided to the Company for the taxable year of the Company preceding the taxable year in which the Termination Date occurs (adjusted for any increase during that year that was expected to continue indefinitely if Executive had not separated from service) and (ii) the applicable compensation limit under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which the Termination Date occurs shall be in accordance with as an involuntary separation plan. (d) The payment set forth in Section 2(c) of this Agreement is intended to comply with the short-term deferral exception to Section 409A of the Code set forth in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(4). (e) All references in this Agreement to Executive’s termination of employment shall mean Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h). (f) Executive acknowledges and agrees that notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the Company and its affiliates are not providing Executive with any tax advice with respect to Section 409A of the Code or otherwise and are not making any guarantees or other assurances of any kind to Executive with respect to the tax consequences or treatment of any amounts paid or payable to Executive under this Agreement. (g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if necessary to comply with the restriction in Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) concerning payments to “specified Executives,” any payment on account of the Executive’s separation from service that would otherwise be due hereunder within six (6) months after such separation shall nonetheless be delayed until the first business day of the seventh month following the Executive’s date of termination and the first such payment shall include the cumulative amount of any payments that would have been paid prior to such date if not for such restriction, together with interest on such cumulative amount during the period of such restriction at a rate, per annum, equal to the applicable federal short-term rate (compounded monthly) in effect under Section 1274(d) of the Code on the date of termination. If the Executive dies during the six- month postponement period prior to the payment, the amount of the payment deferred on account
of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the personal representative of the Executive’s estate within 30 days after the date of the Executive’s death. For purposes of this Section 5, the Executive shall be a “specified Executive” for the 12-month period beginning on the first day of the fourth month following each “Identification Date” if he is a “key Executive” (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to Section 416(i)(5) thereof) of the Company at any time during the 12-month period ending on the “Identification Date.” For purposes of the foregoing, the Identification Date shall be December 31. (h) To the extent that any provision in this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with Section 409A, the provision shall be read in such a manner so that no payments due under this Agreement shall be subject to an “additional tax” as defined in Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. (i) In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A. Section 6. Section 280G Limitation. If any payment(s) or benefit(s) Executive would receive pursuant to this Agreement and/or pursuant to any other agreement or arrangement would (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, (b) but for this Section 5, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), and (c) if the net-after tax amount (taking into account all applicable taxes payable by Executive, including any Excise Tax) that Executive would receive with respect to such payments or benefits does not exceed the Reduced Amount, then such payment(s) or benefit(s) (collectively, “Payments”) shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be the largest portion of the Payments that can be paid or provided without causing any portion of the Payments being subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” is necessary so that the Payments equal the Reduced Amount, reduction shall occur in the following order: (i) first, any base salary severance payments; (ii) second, any other cash payments due under any other agreement between the Company and Executive; (iii) third, cancellation of the acceleration of vesting of any stock options; (iv) fourth, cancellation of the acceleration of vesting of any restricted stock and restricted stock units; and (v) lastly, other non-cash forms of benefits. Calculations of the foregoing will be performed at the expense of the Company by an accounting firm selected by the Company. The determinations of such accounting firm shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and Executive. Section 7. Severance Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s severance rights arise solely under this Agreement. Executive is not a “Participant” in Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. Severance Plan, effective June 10, 2025 (the “Severance Plan”) and is not entitled to any benefits under the Severance Plan. Section 8. Binding Agreement; No Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, Executive and the Company and their respective permitted successors, assigns, heirs, beneficiaries and representatives. This Agreement is personal to Executive and may not be assigned by Executive. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Company except in connection with a sale of all or substantially all of its assets or a merger or
consolidation of the Company, and the acquiring Company or entity expressly assumes this Agreement. Any attempted assignment in violation of this Section 8 shall be null and void. Section 9. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. The validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey. In addition, Executive and the Company irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court sitting in New Jersey for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on Executive or the Company anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of notices under this Agreement. Executive and the Company irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding and to the laying of venue in such court. In any such action or proceeding, the court shall have the authority to award reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees to the party that substantially prevails. Section 10. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and may only be amended or otherwise modified by a writing executed by all of the parties hereto. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, written or verbal, between Executive and the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the subject matter hereof, including the Prior Agreements. Section 11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. Section 12. Severability. If any provision, section or paragraph, or specific term contained therein, of this Agreement or the application thereof is determined by a court to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, that provision, section, paragraph or term shall not be a part of this Agreement, and the legality, validity and enforceability of remaining provisions, sections and paragraphs, and all other terms therein, of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. [Signature Page Follows]
LISATA THERAPEUTICS, INC. By: /s/ David J. Mazzo Name: David J. Mazzo, Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer Agreed to and Accepted: /s/ Tariq Imam Date: June 10, 2025