alrn-ex1027_815.htm

This SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December 12, 2019 by and between Rick Wanstall (“Executive”) and Aileron Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”).

WHEREAS, Executive is employed as a senior executive of the Company, and the Company desires to continue to retain the services of Executive; and

WHEREAS, the Company is entering into this Agreement in order to provide certain compensation and benefits to Executive in the event Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated under certain circumstances.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

1.1

“Affiliated Entity” means any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity of which the Company and/or any of its Affiliated Entities directly or indirectly owns a majority of the outstanding shares of any class of equity security thereof and any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity which directly or indirectly owns a majority of the outstanding shares of any class of any equity security of the Company or any of its Affiliated Entities.

1.2

“Cause” shall mean a finding by the Board that Executive: (i) materially breached Executive’s Confidentiality, Inventions, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement or any similar agreement between Executive and the Company (a “Confidentiality Agreement”); (ii) engaged in fraud, or embezzlement; (iii) engaged in willful misconduct or gross negligence with regard to the Company that the Board determines in good faith is, or is reasonably likely to be, materially injurious to the Company and its reputation; (iv) materially violated the Company’s published policies, including those prohibiting unlawful harassment and discrimination, as in effect from time to time; or (v) was convicted of, or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any felony (other than traffic-related offenses).

1.3.1

the acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition, such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) 50% or more of either (x) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of

directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this Subsection 1.3.1, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control Event: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company or (B) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined below) which complies with clauses (x) and (y) of Subsection 1.3.2 of this definition;

1.3.2

the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or share exchange involving the Company or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), unless, immediately following such Business Combination, each of the following two conditions is satisfied: (x) the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination represent more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock or other common equity and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or other governing body, respectively, of the resulting or acquiring entity in such Business Combination (which shall include, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (such resulting or acquiring corporation is referred to herein as the “Acquiring Entity”) and (y) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) maintained or sponsored by the Company or by the Acquiring Entity) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquiring Entity, or of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or other governing body (except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination); or

provided that such Change in Control Event also satisfies Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) where required for compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the guidance issued thereunder (“Section 409A”).

1.5

“Disability” shall mean any long-term disability or incapacity due to physical or mental illness that renders Executive unable to substantially perform his duties for at least ninety (90) consecutive days or one hundred twenty (120) total days during any twelve (12) month period, provided that it may occur in a shorter period if, after its commencement, it is determined to be total and permanent by a

1.6

“Good Reason” means (i) a material diminution in the nature or scope of Executive’s duties, responsibilities, or authority; (ii) a material reduction in Executive’s base salary then in effect; (iii) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of employee benefits to which Executive is entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that the overall benefits package is materially reduced, other than a reduction comparable to reductions generally applicable to similarly situated employees of the Company; or (iv) the Company’s requiring Executive’s ongoing and regular services to be performed at a location more than fifty (50) miles from the geographic location at which Executive was providing services before such requirement. In order to terminate Executive’s employment for Good Reason, Executive must (w) give notice to the Company of Executive’s intention to resign for Good Reason within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of the event (or series of events) that Executive asserts entitles Executive to resign for Good Reason, (x) state in that notice the event that Executive considers to provide Executive with Good Reason to resign, (y) provide the Company with at least thirty (30) days after Executive’s notice to cure the event, and (z) if the event is not cured within such thirty-day cure period, resign for Good Reason within thirty (30) days after the end of the thirty-day cure period.

2.1

Termination for Any Reason or No Reason. In the event of the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason or for no reason, the Company will pay to Executive (or to his estate) (i) the portion of his annualized base salary that has accrued prior to such termination and has not yet been paid and, to the extent consistent with general Company policy, accrued but unused paid time off through and including the Date of Termination, (ii) any bonus amount not yet paid that was earned by and approved for payment to Executive by the Board during or with respect to the calendar year preceding the Date of Termination; (iii) reimbursement for expenses properly incurred by Executive on behalf of the Company prior to such termination and properly documented in accordance with Company policy, and (iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which Executive is eligible to receive under any plan or agreement of or with the Company through the Date of Termination (all such amounts, collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”). The Accrued Obligations will be paid as required by law but in any event promptly after termination or as provided by any applicable policy, plan or agreement.

2.2

Termination by the Company Other Than for Cause or by Reason of Executive’s Death or Disability; By Executive for Good Reason; and Other than Upon or within Twelve Months following a Change in Control Event. Subject to the satisfaction of the Severance Conditions (as defined below), if Executive’s

employment is terminated (i) by the Company other than (x) for Cause or (y) by reason of Executive’s death or Disability, or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, and, in each case, other than upon or within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control Event (the “CIC Period”), then in addition to the Accrued Obligations, the Company shall:

2.2.2

Provided that Executive is eligible for and elects to continue receiving medical insurance pursuant to the federal “COBRA” law, 29 U.S.C. § 1161 et seq., continue to pay on Executive’s behalf the share of the monthly premiums for such coverage that it pays for active and similarly situated employees receiving the same type of coverage for a period of up to nine (9) months following the Date of Termination. The remaining balance of the premium costs and all premium costs after such nine (9) month period shall be paid by Executive on a monthly basis for as long as, and to the extent that, he remains eligible for and elects to continue receiving continued coverage under COBRA; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Executive becomes eligible during the nine (9) month period for the same or substantially similar group health insurance coverage through another employer, Executive shall immediately notify the Company in writing of the date of eligibility for such coverage (the “Eligibility Date”), and the Company’s obligation to make monthly premium payments pursuant to this Subsection 2.2.2 shall end on the Eligibility Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments by the Company under this Subsection 2.2.2 (but not eligibility for COBRA) shall end early if the Company determines that the continued payments are reasonably likely to result in penalties on the Company, taxation of any other employee, or taxation of Executive on income other than the payment of the premiums; provided, however, that if the Company is able to reasonably conclude that making a taxable lump sum payment to Executive in the amount of and in lieu of any remaining COBRA premiums that would otherwise be paid by the Company on Executive’s behalf under this Subsection 2.2.2 would not result in any such penalties or taxation, the Company will make such lump sum payment no later than the last day of the nine (9) month period following the Date of Termination.

2.3

Termination By the Company for Cause; By Reason of Executive’s Death or Disability; Or By Executive Other than for Good Reason. If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by reason of Executive’s death or Disability, or by Executive for any reason other than for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to Executive or

2.4

Effect of Termination on Other Positions. If, on the Date of Termination, Executive is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) or the board of directors of any Affiliated Entity, or holds any other office or position with the Company or any Affiliated Entity, Executive shall, unless otherwise requested by the Company, be deemed to have resigned from all such offices and positions as of the Date of Termination. Executive agrees to execute such documents and take such other actions as the Company may request to reflect such resignation.

2.5

Conditions to Payment of Post-Separation Benefits. As a condition of Executive’s receipt of the post-separation benefits in Section 2.2 and Section 3.1, Executive must execute and return to the Company a severance and release of claims agreement provided by and satisfactory to the Company (the “Release Agreement”), and such Release Agreement must become binding, enforceable and irrevocable within sixty (60) calendar days after Executive’s termination of employment (the “Severance Conditions”). Payments will begin in the first pay period beginning after the Severance Conditions have been satisfied or as promptly as practicable thereafter, provided that if the foregoing sixty (60) day period would end in a calendar year subsequent to the year in which Executive’s employment ends, payments will not be made before the first payroll period of the subsequent year (the “Payment Date”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the acceleration of vesting of the Equity Awards contemplated by Subsection 3.1.4 below shall take immediate effect upon the Date of Termination; provided, however, that Executive agrees that the portion of such Equity Awards that shall have been accelerated pursuant to Subsection 3.1.4 (the “Accelerated Portion”) shall not be exercised prior to the date on which the Severance Conditions have been satisfied, that any shares to be issued or retained under other Equity Awards will not be issued or retained prior to the date on which the Severance Conditions have been satisfied and that if the Severance Conditions have not been satisfied within the prescribed time period, than, as of such date, the Accelerated Portion shall be cancelled and cease to be exercisable, forfeited, or not issued, as applicable on the basis of the type of Equity Award.

3.1

Subject to the satisfaction of the Severance Conditions, if, during the CIC Period, Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause and not for death or Disability, or if Executive resigns his employment for Good Reason, then, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, the Company shall:

3.1.2

Provided that Executive is eligible for and elects to continue receiving medical insurance under COBRA, continue to pay on Executive’s behalf the share of the monthly premiums for such coverage that it pays for active and similarly situated employees receiving the same type of coverage for a period of up to twelve (12) months following the Date of Termination. The remaining balance of the premium costs and all premium costs after such twelve (12) month period shall be paid by Executive on a monthly basis for as long as, and to the extent that, he remains eligible for and elects to continue receiving continued coverage under COBRA; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Executive becomes eligible during the twelve (12) month period for the same or substantially similar group health insurance coverage through another employer, Executive shall immediately notify the Company in writing of the Eligibility Date, and the Company’s obligation to make monthly premium payments pursuant to this Subsection 3.1.2 shall end on the Eligibility Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments by the Company under this Subsection 3.1.2 (but not eligibility for COBRA) shall end early if the Company determines that the continued payments are reasonably likely to result in penalties on the Company, taxation of any other employee, or taxation of Executive on income other than the payment of the premiums; provided, however that if the Company is able to reasonably conclude that making a taxable lump sum payment to Executive in the amount of and in lieu of any remaining COBRA premiums that would otherwise be paid by the Company on Executive’s behalf under this Subsection 3.1.2 would not result in any such penalties or taxation, the Company will make such lump sum payment no later than the last day of the twelve (12) month period following the Date of Termination.

3.1.3

Pay to Executive, on the Payment Date, a lump sum equal to one times (1 x) Executive’s target bonus award for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs without regard to whether the performance goals applicable to such target bonus had been established or satisfied at the Date of Termination.

3.1.4

Notwithstanding the terms of any stock option agreement, restricted stock agreement or other stock award (“Equity Award”), other than terms more favorable to Executive, effective as of the Termination Date, accelerate the vesting of all Equity Awards held by Executive at the Termination Date (other than Equity Awards that vest on the basis of performance and do not provide solely for time-based vesting), such that such Equity Awards shall become 100% vested.

3.2

280G. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if payments made hereunder or otherwise are considered “excess parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), then such excess parachute payments plus any other

payments made by the Company and its affiliates that Executive is entitled to receive that are considered excess parachute payments shall be limited to the greatest amount that may be paid to Executive under Section 280G of the Code without causing any loss of deduction to the Company under such Code Section, but only if, by reason of such reduction, the “Net After Tax Benefit” (as defined below) to Executive exceeds the net after tax benefit if such reduction was not made. “Net After Tax Benefit” for purposes of this Agreement shall mean the sum of (i) the total amounts payable to Executive that would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, less (ii) the amount of federal, state and other income taxes payable with respect to the foregoing calculated at the maximum marginal tax rate for each year in which the foregoing shall be paid to Executive (based upon the rate in effect for such year as set forth in the Code at the time of termination of Executive’s employment or the change in control), less (iii) the amount of excise taxes imposed with respect to the payments and benefits described above by Section 4999 of the Code. The determination of whether payments would be considered excess parachute payments and the calculation of all the amounts referred to in this section shall be made reasonably and in good faith by the parties, provided, that if the parties cannot agree, then such determination (and supporting calculations) shall be made by attorneys, accountants, or an executive compensation consulting firm each as selected by the Company at the expense of the Company (the “280G Service Providers”). Any determination by the 280G Service Providers made in good faith shall be binding upon the Company and Executive.

No Mitigation. In no event, except as set forth expressly in this or another agreement signed by Executive, shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, subject to the aforesaid exception, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains other employment.

Payments Subject to Section 409A. Subject to the provisions in this Section 6, any severance payments or benefits under this Agreement shall begin only upon the date of Executive’s “separation from service” (determined as set forth below) which occurs on or after the date of termination of employment. The following rules shall apply with respect to distribution of the payments and benefits, if any, to be provided to Executive under this Agreement:

6.1

It is intended that each installment of the severance payments and benefits provided under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A. Neither Executive nor the Company shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such payments or benefits except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A.

6.2

If, as of the date of Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company, Executive is not a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then each installment of the severance payments and benefits shall be made on the dates and terms set forth in this Agreement

6.3.1

Each installment of the severance payments and benefits due under this Agreement that, in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein, will in all circumstances, regardless of when the separation from service occurs, be paid within the short-term deferral period (as defined under Section 409A) shall be treated as a short-term deferral within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) to the maximum extent permissible under Section 409A and shall be paid at the time and in the matter set forth in this Agreement; and

6.3.2

Each installment of the severance payments and benefits due under this Agreement that is not described in Subsection 6.3.1 above and that would, absent this subsection, be paid within the six-month period following Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company shall not be paid until the date that is six months and one day after such separation from service (or, if earlier, Executive’s death), with any such installments that are required to be delayed being accumulated during the six-month period and paid in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day following Executive’s separation from service and any subsequent installments, if any, being paid in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein; provided, however, that the preceding provisions of this sentence shall not apply to any installment of severance payments and benefits if and to the maximum extent that such installment is deemed to be paid under a separation pay plan that does not provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) (relating to separation pay upon an involuntary separation from service). Any installments that qualify for the exception under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) must be paid no later than the last day of Executive’s second taxable year following the taxable year in which the separation from service occurs.

6.4

The determination of whether and when Executive’s separation from service from the Company has occurred shall be made in a manner consistent with, and based on the presumptions set forth in, Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). Solely for purposes of this Section 6.4, “Company” shall include all persons with whom the Company would be considered a single employer as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-(h)(3).

extent that such reimbursements or in-kind benefits are subject to Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during 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 set off or liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

Return of Company Property. Upon termination of employment for any reason, Executive shall promptly return to the Company any keys, credit cards, passes, confidential documents or material, computer equipment, or other property belonging to the Company, and Executive shall also return all writings, files, records, correspondence, notebooks, notes and other documents and things (including any copies thereof) containing confidential information or relating to the business or proposed business of the Company or the Affiliated Entities or containing any trade secrets relating to the Company or the Affiliated Entities. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “trade secrets” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. Executive agrees to represent in writing to the Company upon termination of employment that he has complied with the foregoing provisions of this Section.

Assistance with Claims. Executive agrees that, consistent with Executive’s business and personal affairs, during and after his employment by the Company he will assist the Company and the Affiliated Entities in the defense of any claims, or potential claims that may be made or are threatened to be made against any of them in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), and will assist the Company and the Affiliated Entities in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or the Affiliated Entities in any Proceeding, to the extent that such claims may relate to Executive’s employment or the period of Executive’s employment by the Company. The Company agrees to (i) reimburse Executive for all of Executive’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with such assistance, including travel expenses and (ii) with respect to assistance provided after Executive’s employment, compensate Executive on an hourly basis, based on a rate commensurate with Executive’s base salary (assuming a forty (40) hour work week) in effect on the Date of Termination, for time Executive spends in excess of ten (10) hours in any calendar quarter providing such assistance to the Company, provided that such time shall not include any time spent testifying in any arbitration, trial, administrative hearing or other proceeding. Any amounts to be paid to Executive pursuant to this Section 8 shall be paid by the Company no later than thirty (30) days of the date on which Executive provides documentation to the Company that such expenses were incurred.

Successors. This Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by Executive without the prior written consent of the Company. This Agreement and any rights and benefits hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives, heirs or legatees. This Agreement and any rights and benefits hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its

10.1

Entire Agreement/Modification/Choice of Law/Enforceability/Jury Waiver. Both Executive and the Company acknowledge that this Agreement is the entire agreement of the parties, and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous discussions, understandings, or agreements, with respect to the subject matter hereof. For the avoidance of doubt and without limiting the foregoing, (a) Executive shall not be eligible to receive severance or similar post-employment payments or benefits under any severance plan, program or policy now or hereafter maintained by the Company, and (b) any employment offer letter or employment agreement between Executive and the Company (such offer letter or employment agreement, the “Employment Agreement”) shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect in accordance with its original terms; provided, however, that any provisions of the Employment Agreement relating to severance and post-employment payments and benefits shall be superseded hereby in their entirety and shall hereafter cease to be of any force or effect. This Agreement may be amended only in a written agreement duly executed by the parties hereto. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such Commonwealth, without giving effect to conflict of law principles. Both parties agree that any action, demand, claim or counterclaim relating to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, or to its formation or breach, or to Executive’s employment or the termination thereof, shall be commenced only in Massachusetts in a court of competent jurisdiction, and further acknowledge that venue for such actions shall lie exclusively in Massachusetts. Both parties hereby waive and renounce in advance any right to a trial by jury in connection with such legal action.

10.4

Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement will be construed as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted (but only to the extent that such provision cannot be appropriately reformed or modified).

10.6

Notices. Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or prepaid overnight courier to the parties at the addresses set forth below (or such other addresses as shall be specified by the parties by like notice):

10.7

Each party, by written notice furnished to the other party, may modify the applicable delivery address, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt. Such notices, demands, claims and other communications shall be deemed given in the case of delivery by overnight service with guaranteed next day delivery, the next day or the day designated for delivery; or in the case of certified or registered U.S. mail, five days after deposit in the U.S. mail; provided, however, that in no event shall any such communications be deemed to be given later than the date they are actually received.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, Executive has hereunto set his hand, and the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.

AILERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.		NAME
/s/ Manuel C. Alves Aivado, M.D., Ph.D.		/s/ Richard Wanstall
Name: Manuel C. Alves Aivado, M.D., Ph.D.		Richard Wanstall
Title: President & CEO