EX-10.1

This agreement evidences the grant by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), on , 20[ ] (the “Grant Date”) to [ ], an [employee], [consultant], [director] of the Company (the “Participant”), of an option to purchase, in whole or in part, on the terms provided herein, a total of [ ] shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, $00.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) at $[ ] per Share. This option has been granted pursuant to an exception under Rule 5635(c)(4) of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules, is not issued under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and does not reduce the share reserve under the Plan. However, for purposes of interpreting the applicable provisions of this option, the terms and conditions of the Plan (other than those applicable to the share reserve) shall govern and apply to this option as if such option had actually been issued under the Plan. Unless earlier terminated, this option shall expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on [ ] (the “Final Exercise Date”).

It is intended that the option evidenced by this agreement shall not be an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”). Except as otherwise indicated by the context, the term “Participant”, as used in this option, shall be deemed to include any person who acquires the right to exercise this option validly under its terms.

[This option will become exercisable (“vest”) as to 25% of the original number of Shares on the first anniversary of the Grant Date and as to an additional 6.25 % of the original number of Shares at the end of each successive three-month period following the first anniversary of the Grant Date until the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date.] Notwithstanding the foregoing, this option will become fully exercisable in the event the Participant dies prior to the Final Exercise Date while he or she is an Eligible Participant and the Company has not terminated such relationship for “Cause” as specified in Section 3(e) below.

The right of exercise shall be cumulative so that to the extent the option is not exercised in any period to the maximum extent permissible it shall continue to be exercisable, in whole or in part, with respect to all Shares for which it is vested until the earlier of the Final Exercise Date or the termination of this option under Section 3 hereof or the Plan.

(a) Form of Exercise. Each election to exercise this option shall be in writing, signed by the Participant, and received by the Company at its principal office, accompanied by this agreement, and payment in full in the manner provided in the Plan. The Participant may purchase less than the number of shares covered hereby, provided that no partial exercise of this option may be for any fractional share or for fewer than ten whole shares.

(b) Continuous Relationship with the Company Required. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, this option may not be exercised unless the Participant, at the time he or she exercises this option, is, and has been at all times since the Grant Date, an [employee, officer or director of], or consultant or advisor to, the Company or any other entity the employees, officers, directors, consultants, or advisors of which are eligible to receive option grants under the Plan (an “Eligible Participant”).

(c) Termination of Relationship with the Company. If the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant for any reason, then, except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) below, the right to exercise this option shall terminate three months after such cessation (but in no event after the Final Exercise Date), provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise this option on the date of such cessation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the Final Exercise Date, violates the non-competition or confidentiality provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, the right to exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon such violation.

(d) Exercise Period Upon Death or Disability. If the Participant dies or becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) prior to the Final Exercise Date while he or she is an Eligible Participant and the Company has not terminated such relationship for “Cause” as specified in paragraph (e) below, this option shall be exercisable, within the period of one year following the date of death or disability of the Participant, by the Participant (or in the case of death by an authorized transferee), provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that this option was exercisable by the Participant on the date of his or her death or disability, and further provided that this option shall not be exercisable after the Final Exercise Date.

(e) Termination for Cause. If, prior to the Final Exercise Date, the Participant’s employment or other relationship with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined below), the right to exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon the effective date of such termination of employment or other relationship. “Cause” shall mean willful misconduct by the Participant or willful failure by the Participant to perform his or her responsibilities to the Company (including, without limitation, breach by the Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or other similar agreement between the Participant and the Company), as determined by the Company, which determination shall be conclusive. The Participant’s employment or other relationship shall be considered to have been terminated for “Cause” if the Company determines, within 30 days after the Participant’s resignation, that termination for Cause was warranted.

No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of this option unless and until the Participant pays to the Company, or makes provision satisfactory to the Company for payment of, any federal, state or local withholding taxes required by law to be withheld in respect of this option.

5. Transfer Restrictions. This option may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the Participant, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of the Participant, this option shall be exercisable only by the Participant.

As set forth above, this option is not granted pursuant to the Plan. Instead, this option is granted as an inducement grant pursuant to Rule 5635(c)(4) of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. However, for purposes of interpreting the provisions of this option, the terms and conditions of the Plan (other than those applicable to the share reserve) shall govern and apply to this option as if such option had actually been issued under the Plan. The Participant has been furnished a copy of the Plan with this option.

7. Data Privacy Consent. In order to administer this Agreement and to implement or structure future equity grants, the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates and certain agents thereof (together, the “Relevant Companies”) may process any and all personal or professional data, including but not limited to Social Security or other identification number, home address and telephone number, date of birth and other information that is necessary or desirable for the administration of this Agreement (the “Relevant Information”). By entering into this Agreement, the Participant (i) authorizes the Company to collect, process, register and transfer to the Relevant Companies all Relevant Information; (ii) waives any privacy rights the Participant may have with respect to the Relevant Information; (iii) authorizes the Relevant Companies to store and transmit such information in electronic form; and (iv) authorizes the transfer of the Relevant Information to any jurisdiction in which the Relevant Companies consider appropriate. The Participant shall have access to, and the right to change, the Relevant Information. Relevant Information will only be used in accordance with applicable law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this option to be executed under its corporate seal by its duly authorized officer. This option shall take effect as a sealed instrument.


ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By:

		Name:
		Title:

The undersigned hereby accepts the foregoing option and agrees to the terms and conditions thereof. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company’s instructions for the Participant (including through an online acceptance process) is acceptable. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.


PARTICIPANT:



Address: