Document

Caribou Biosciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (the “Participant”), an award of performance stock units (“Performance Stock Units” or “PSUs”). Each vested Performance Stock Unit represents the right to receive, in accordance with the Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), one share of Common Stock (“Share”). This award of Performance Stock Units is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Agreement and the Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Performance Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and the Agreement.



Participant:						[ ]

Grant Date:						[ ]

Total Number of PSUs:						[ ]

Performance Period:						[ ]

Performance Criteria:						Exhibit B


Termination:						If the Participant experiences a Termination of Service, all PSUs that have not become vested on or prior to the date of such Termination of Service will thereupon be automatically forfeited by the Participant without payment of any consideration therefor.

By their signature and the Company’s signature below, the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. The Participant has reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Plan. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Agreement. In addition, by signing below, the Participant also agrees that the Company, in its sole discretion, may satisfy any withholding obligations in accordance with Section 2.6(b) of the Agreement by (i) withholding shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the PSUs, (ii) instructing a broker on the Participant’s behalf to sell shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the PSUs and submit the proceeds of such sale to the Company, or (iii) using any other method permitted by Section 2.6(b) of the Agreement or the Plan.

Pursuant to the Performance Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Caribou Biosciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant the number of performance stock units (“Performance Stock Units” or “PSUs”) set forth in the Grant Notice under the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Each Performance Stock Unit represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock (a “Share”) upon vesting. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan and Grant Notice.

1.1Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The PSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.

1.2Grant of PSUs. Pursuant to the Grant Notice and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice, the Company hereby grants to the Participant an award of PSUs under the Plan in consideration of the Participant’s past and/or continued employment with or service to the Company or any Subsidiaries and for other good and valuable consideration. The PSUs will vest as set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3 below and will be settled as set forth in Section 3.

1.3Vesting of the PSUs. Subject to earlier expiration or termination as provided herein, the PSUs will become vested and may be earned based on achieving performance levels against pre-determined performance goals, and satisfying the condition of employment, as described herein, and are forfeited if defined performance levels or condition of employment are not achieved or satisfied. The PSUs shall be held in escrow by the Company subject to satisfaction of the terms and conditions described herein. Except as may otherwise be provided in any employment agreement, in the event of any transaction or Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), the PSUs may, in the discretion of the Administrator, be terminated, which may be in exchange for cash or property, be assumed or substituted by the successor corporation or otherwise continued in full force and effect pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control or other transaction on such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines.

1.4Performance Condition and Required Employment. Subject to forfeiture as provided in Section 2.6, the total number of PSUs that may be earned by a Participant will be based on (i) the performance criteria described on Exhibit B, and (ii) continued employment through the Performance Period.

1.5Unsecured Obligation to PSUs. Unless and until the PSUs have vested in the manner set forth in Article 2 hereof, the Participant will have no right to receive Common Stock under any such PSUs. Prior to actual payment of any vested PSUs, such PSUs will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.

1.7Forfeiture, Termination and Cancellation upon Termination of Service. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement or the Plan, upon the Participant’s Termination of Service for any or no reason, all Performance Stock Units which have not vested prior to or in connection with such Termination of Service shall thereupon automatically be forfeited, terminated and cancelled as of the applicable termination date without payment of any consideration by the Company, and the Participant, or the Participant’s beneficiary or personal representative, as the case may be, shall have no further rights hereunder. No portion of the PSUs which has not become vested as of the date on which the Participant incurs a Termination of Service shall thereafter become vested.

(a)As soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of any Performance Stock Units pursuant to Section 2 hereof, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after such vesting date (for the avoidance of doubt, this deadline is intended to comply with the “short term deferral” exemption from Section 409A of the Code), the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or any transferee permitted under Section 3.2 hereof) a number of Shares equal to the number of PSUs subject to this Award that vest on the applicable vesting date.

(b)As set forth in Section 12.2 of the Plan, the Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or to require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising in connection with the Performance Stock Units. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative unless and until the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state and local taxes applicable

1.9Conditions to Delivery of Shares. The Shares deliverable hereunder may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or issued Shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue Shares deliverable hereunder prior to fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 12.4 of the Plan.

1.10Rights as Stockholder. The holder of the PSUs shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to dividends, in respect of the PSUs and any Shares underlying the PSUs and deliverable hereunder unless and until such Shares shall have been issued by the Company and held of record by such holder (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 14.2 of the Plan.

1.11Administration. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Administrator or the Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the PSUs.

1.13Tax Consultation. The Participant understands that the Participant may suffer adverse tax consequences in connection with the PSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement (and the Shares issuable with respect thereto). The Participant represents that the Participant has consulted with any tax consultants the Participant deems advisable in connection with the PSUs and the issuance of Shares with respect thereto and that the Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

1.14Binding Agreement. Subject to the limitation on the transferability of the PSUs contained herein, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

1.15Adjustments Upon Specified Events. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of the PSUs in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. The Participant acknowledges that the PSUs are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Section 14.2 of the Plan.

1.16Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal office, and any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to the Participant at the Participant’s last address reflected on the Company’s records. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 3.6, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

1.17Participant’s Representations. If the Shares issuable hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state laws on an effective registration statement at the time of such issuance, the Participant shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with such issuance, make such written representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company and/or its counsel.

1.19Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

1.20Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any other Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the PSUs are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such Applicable Law.

1.21Amendment, Suspension and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board; provided, however, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the PSUs in any material way without the prior written consent of the Participant.

1.22Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in Section 3.2 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

1.23Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then the Plan, the PSUs and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

1.24Not a Contract of Service Relationship. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Participant any right to continue to serve as an employee or other service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or interfere with or restrict in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or to terminate for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, the services of the Participant’s at any time.

1.25Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto, if any) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

1.26Section 409A. This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “Section 409A”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify Participant or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

1.27Limitation on Participant’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the PSUs, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Common Stock as a general unsecured creditor with respect to PSUs, as and when payable hereunder.