CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Notes to Financial Statements

Note 10 - CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company wrote off certain accounts payable totaling approximately $316,000, which is included in “Other income, net” in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Such accounts payable represented amounts that could not be paid in full at the time, or were, in the view of management, unenforceable.  While management believes that such amounts no longer represent recognized liabilities of the Company, such creditors may subsequently assert a claim against the Company.

Employment Agreements 

The Company has employment agreements with its Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer. The Company may terminate the agreements with or without cause. Subject to the conditions and other limitations set forth in each respective employment agreement, each executive will be entitled to the following severance benefits if the Company terminates the executive’s employment without cause or in the event of an involuntary termination  (as defined in the employment agreements) by the Company or by the executive: (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to between twelve months and twenty-four months of base salary, based upon specific agreements; (ii) continuation of the executive’s fringe benefits and medical insurance for a period of three years; and (iii) immediate vesting of 50% of each executive’s outstanding restricted stock awards and stock options. In the event that the executive’s employment is terminated within the six months prior to or the thirteen months following a change of control (as defined in the employment agreements), the executive is entitled to the severance benefits described above, except that 100% of each executive’s restricted stock awards outstanding and stock options will immediately vest. Each executive’s eligibility to receive any severance payments or other benefits upon his termination is conditioned upon him executing a general release of liability. 

The Company also has a Change of Control and Severance Benefits Agreement with its Chief Technical Officer and Vice President of Business Development.  Subject to the conditions and other limitations set forth in each respective employment agreement, each executive will be entitled to the following severance benefits if the Company terminates his employment without cause prior to the closing of any change of control transaction: (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to six months of base salary; and (ii) continuation of the executive’s health insurance benefits until the earlier of six (6) months following the date of termination, the date on which he is no longer entitled to continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA or the date that he obtains comparable health insurance coverage. In the event that the executive’s employment is terminated within the twelve months following a change of control, he is entitled to the severance benefits described above, plus his stock options will immediately vest and become exercisable. The executive’s eligibility to receive severance payments or other benefits upon his termination is conditioned upon him executing a general release of liability.