UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM
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CURRENT REPORT
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ThereWritten communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in 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
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.
On October 27, 2022, Cassava Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the appointment of R. Christopher Cook, age 58, as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective on or before December 1, 2022. Mr. Cook expects to start his new role with the Company shortly.
Mr. Cook has over 25 years of experience working in health care, private practice and government. He joins Cassava Sciences from Alcon Inc., a publicly traded medical company, where he served as the Global Head of Litigation and Government Investigations since 2017. Prior to Alcon Inc., he was the Vice President and division General Counsel for Walmart Central America in San Jose, Costa Rica. Mr. Cook practiced law at Jones Day, a multinational law firm, for seventeen years, where he was a litigation partner in the firm's Washington, DC and Chicago offices. Before Jones Day, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Chicago. He holds a B.A. in English from Emory University and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.
There are no family relationships, as defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K, between Mr. Cook and any of the Company’s directors or executive officers, and there is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Cook and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as an officer of the Company. Mr. Cook does not have any direct or indirect material interest in any transaction or proposed transaction required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement, executed on October 13, 2022 (the “Employment Agreement”), between the Company and Mr. Cook, the Company will pay Mr. Cook an annual base salary of $425,000 beginning on his first date of employment (the “Effective Date”). Mr. Cook is also eligible to earn a discretionary cash or equity bonus and is eligible to receive other benefits applicable generally to employees.
The Employment Agreement provides that on the Effective Date, the Company will grant Mr. Cook options to purchase 100,000 shares of Company common stock with a per share exercise price equal to the closing price per share of Company common stock on the Effective Date. The stock options vest monthly and equally over 48 months from the grant date, subject to Mr. Cook’s continued employment with the Company.
If Mr. Cook is terminated without cause or is subject to a “constructive dismissal” at any time following the date that is six (6) months following the Effective Date, he will be entitled to (i) continued payment of his base salary as then in effect for a period of three (3) months following the date of termination and (ii) he will be entitled to continued employment benefits through COBRA premiums paid by the Company, until the earlier of three (3) months after termination or the time that he obtains employment with another entity. If Mr. Cook is terminated without cause after a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), he will be paid his regular base salary, and he will continue to receive employment benefits, for a period of twelve (12) months following his last date of employment provided he signs and does not revoke an employment separation and release agreement.
In addition, the Company has entered into an indemnification agreement with Mr. Cook on the form previously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and entered into with the Company’s other officers.
The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company’s Board of Directors has also authorized that Mr. Cook be added as a participant in the Company’s 2020 Cash Incentive Bonus Plan on the Effective Date.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
A copy of the Company’s press release announcing the appointment of R. Christopher Cook as the Company’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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99.1 |
| Press Release issued by Cassava Sciences, Inc. on October 27, 2022 |
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| Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURE
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 thereunto duly authorized.
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| CASSAVA SCIENCES, INC. |
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| a Delaware corporation |
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Date: October 27, 2022 |
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| By: | /s/ ERIC J. SCHOEN |
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| Eric J. Schoen |
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| Chief Financial Officer |
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PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
Exhibit 10.1
October 12, 2022
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Dear Chris:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Cassava Sciences, Inc., (the “Company”) I am pleased to extend you an offer of employment as Senior VP and General Counsel (“GC”), an officer-level position. This Letter Agreement is intended to set forth the terms and conditions of your new employment with the Company.
As GC, you will report to Remi Barbier, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO. During your employment with the Company, you agree to devote your full business time and your best efforts, business judgment, skill, and knowledge exclusively to the advancement of the business and interests of the Company and to the discharge of your duties and responsibilities for it, provided, however, it is agreed that you may serve on outside boards (with prior written notice to and written approval by the CEO), participate in charitable and civic organizations, and manage your personal investments to the extent such activities do not interfere with your duties and responsibilities to the Company.
As GC, you will have broad duties and responsibilities that are consistent with the role of the highest legal officer of Cassava Sciences. Examples of such duties may include providing legal counsel and guidance to the Company and its managers on a variety of legal and policy matters; developing legal strategies and solutions; reviewing contracts, policies, procedures, regulations, bylaws and other legal documents; managing outside counsel to handle claims and litigation; providing strategic and tactical guidance on matters related to the Company’s affairs; maintaining professional growth and development to keep abreast of latest developments in legal areas; and other duties and responsibilities, as assigned to you by the CEO or by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Your base salary will be four hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars ($425,000) per calendar year, paid bi-monthly. Your cash compensation is subject to deduction and
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withholding authorized or required by applicable law. Your base salary will be subject to review from time to time. Salary adjustments may be made based upon the Company’s compensation review practices and in the Company’s sole discretion. In addition, from time to time the Company may grant you, in its sole discretion, discretionary cash bonus amounts.
You will be granted a stock option to purchase one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of Common Stock. Options vest monthly and equally over 48 months. Vesting for your stock option will start on your first day of full-time employment with the Company. The strike price of your stock option will be priced on the closing price of the first day of your full-time employment with the Company. Your stock option will be issued pursuant to the ‘2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan’ and will be subject to all terms and conditions set forth in the agreement covering your stock option. From time to time the Company may grant you, in its sole discretion, additional stock options or other types of equity-based compensation.
You will be eligible to receive welfare benefits on the same terms and conditions as generally available to other officers of Cassava Sciences, such as medical, life insurance, disability or other health benefits.
You agree to relocate to the Austin, Texas area as soon as practical but in any event no later than December 1, 2022.
In the event you are unable or unwilling to relocate to Austin, your position may be eliminated, in which case you may no longer be constructively employed by Cassava Sciences and will not be provided a severance package. You are also eligible to receive a one-time, forty thousand-dollar ($40,000) relocation package. This relocation package constitutes the entire financial assistance Cassava Sciences will provide you regarding relocation. Such amount will be paid to you approximately three months after your first date of full-time employment with the Company, net of any withholdings required by law. Should you terminate employment with Cassava Sciences within one year of your first date of full-time employment with the Company, you agree to reimburse the entire relocation bonus on your last day of full-time employment with Cassava Sciences.
Other key terms of this offer of employment are outlined below:
1.A proposed full-time start date is no later than Thursday, December 1, 2022. Of course, an earlier start date is acceptable and welcomed.
2.An integral part of this position is the ability to travel as needed without restrictions. Please inform me immediately in writing if you are aware of any personal or other restrictions that may impede your ability to engage in air travel or other forms of overnight travel from time to time, including overseas travel.
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3.As an Officer of Cassava Sciences, you will not accrue, and the Company will not record, any specific amount of vacation time or time off. The ability to take paid time off is not intended to be a form of additional wages for services performed. Rather it is part of an effort to provide you with the benefits of a flexible work schedule. You are encouraged to rest and rejuvenate as your work responsibilities allow. There are no consequences for taking time off, or for failing to take time off.
4.Cassava Sciences will promptly reimburse your business and travel expenses in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policies.
5.In the event your employment with Cassava Sciences is terminated without cause after your initial six (6) months of employment, or in the event a “constructive dismissal” occurs at any time during your employment, you will be paid your regular base salary, and you will continue to receive employment benefits, for a period of three (3) months following your last date of employment at the Company, or the date upon which you commence employment with another entity, provided, however, you sign and do not revoke an employment separation and release agreement.
6.In the event your employment with Cassava Sciences is terminated without cause after a “Change in Control” (as defined herein) you will be paid your regular base salary, and you will continue to receive employment benefits, for a period of twelve (12) months following your last date of employment with the Company. A ‘Change-in-Control’ means the acquisition of fifty-one percent (51%) or more of Cassava Sciences’ then outstanding shares at the time of a Change-in-Control transaction, provided, however, that you sign and do not revoke an employment separation and release agreement, and further provided, however, that for purposes of this Paragraph 6, raising capital through the issuance of equity by the Company shall not constitute a Change-in-Control
7.You acknowledge and agree that your employment with Cassava Sciences is for no specified time and constitutes “at-will” employment. As a result, you are free to resign at any time, for any reason. In the event of resignation, please provide at least three weeks’ notice in order to effect a smooth transition of the Company’s affairs. Similarly, the Company is free to conclude its employment relationship with you at any time and reserves the right to make personnel decisions regarding your employment, including but not limited to, promotions, salary adjustment, scope of responsibilities, transfer or termination, consistent with the Company’s needs.
8.You and Cassava Sciences shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute or claim arising out of your employment, or its termination, through discussion, evaluation, negotiation and conciliation. If a dispute cannot be amicably settled
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within six-weeks from the date on which a party has served written notice to the other party of a dispute, then the matter shall be submitted to binding arbitration before a neutral arbitrator in Texas, except where Texas law specifically forbids the use of arbitration as a final and binding remedy. In the event of arbitration or other legal action, each party shall bear its own fees and expenses.
9.You understand and agree this is an offer of full-time and exclusive employment for Cassava Sciences and is office-based in Austin, TX. You may not consult or provide professional services, with or without compensation, to any third party at any time during your employment with the Company. If you wish to request consent to provide services (for any or no form of compensation) to any other person or business entity while employed by the Company, you must first receive express written permission from the CEO, which may be withheld.
10.You represent to Cassava Sciences that you are not subject to any commitment or obligation that would legally or ethically prevent you from accepting this offer of employment, or that may in any way interfere or restrict you from performing the duties and responsibilities contemplated in this Letter Agreement. You further acknowledge that the Company has directed you to not misappropriate any confidential information or trade secrets from any prior employer or third party for use in the performance of your duties and responsibilities with the Company.
11.You agree to review and sign a “CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT” (attached).
12.You agree to acknowledge in writing that you have read and understand the Company’s “INSIDER TRADING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM” (attached).
13.This offer expires on Thursday, October 27, 2022, unless signed by you and received by Cassava Sciences before then.
Finally, please note that all employees of Cassava Sciences are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Prior to your start date you may be required to show evidence that you have received a Covid-19 vaccine or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated in accordance with EEOC issued guidelines.
If the conditions of this offer and your acceptance are satisfied, this Letter Agreement shall constitute the full and complete agreement between you and Cassava Sciences regarding the terms and conditions of your employment. This Letter Agreement specifically cancels, supersedes and replaces all prior negotiations, representations or agreements, written and oral, between you and anyone at Cassava Sciences or its recruiting agents, regarding any aspect of your employment. Any change to the terms of your employment with Cassava Sciences, as set forth in this letter, must be made in writing to you, signed by the CEO of Cassava Sciences, to be effective.
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If these terms and condition of employment and the attached Invention Agreement are acceptable to you, please sign, date and return to the Company one original copy.
Chris, we all very much look forward to working with you!
/s/ REMI BARBIER
Remi Barbier
Chairman of the Board
President & CEO
I have read and understood this Letter Agreement and accept and agree to all of its terms and conditions. I further acknowledge that no other commitments or enticements were made to me as part of this offer of employment, except as specified herein.
/s/ R. CHRISTOPHER COOK10/13/2022
R. Christopher CookDate
Attachments:
Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement
Insider Trading Compliance Program
Benefits Summary
Employee Handbook
XXXXXXXXX
Form of Stock Option Agreement
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Exhibit 99.1
Cassava Sciences Announces Expansion of Leadership Team
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Chris Cook, A Skilled Litigator, To Join Management Team as General Counsel |
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New Position Is Expected to Be Critical to Operations and Strategic Initiatives |
AUSTIN, Texas – October 27, 2022 – Cassava Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAVA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on Alzheimer’s disease, announced the expansion of its leadership team with the appointment of Christopher Cook as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. This is a newly created position, reporting to Remi Barbier, President & CEO.
“Chris is an accomplished legal advisor, a skilled litigator and a proven leader in legal matters,” said Remi Barbier. "We’re very excited that Chris will shortly join us as Cassava Sciences’ in-house General Counsel. I’m confident his experience and deep expertise will be a critical addition to the Company’s business operations and strategic initiatives.”
Chris has over 25 years of experience working in health care, private practice and government. He joins Cassava Sciences from Alcon, a publicly traded medical company, where he served as the Global Head of Litigation and Government Investigations since 2017. Prior to Alcon, he was the Vice President and division General Counsel for Walmart Central America in San Jose, Costa Rica. Chris practiced law at Jones Day, a multinational law firm, for seventeen years, where he was a litigation partner in the firm's Washington, DC and Chicago offices. Before Jones Day, Chris served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Chicago. He holds a B.A. in English from Emory University and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.
Phase 3 Clinical Program
Cassava Sciences’ on-going Phase 3 program consists of two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of simufilam, an investigational oral drug, in approximately 1,750 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Both Phase 3 studies have Special Protocol Assessments (SPA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information about Cassava Sciences’ Phase 3 studies, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04994483?term=simufilam&draw=2&rank=3
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05026177?term=simufilam&draw=2&rank=4
About Simufilam
Simufilam is Cassava Sciences’ proprietary, small molecule (oral) drug candidate that restores the normal shape and function of altered filamin A (FLNA) protein in the brain. Cassava Sciences owns worldwide development and commercial rights to its research programs in Alzheimer’s disease, and related technologies, without royalty obligations to any third party.
About Cassava Sciences, Inc.
Cassava Sciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Austin, Texas. Our mission is to detect and treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Our novel science is based on stabilizing – but not removing – a critical protein in the brain. For more information, please visit: https://www.CassavaSciences.com.
For More Information Contact:
Eric Schoen, Chief Financial Officer
(512) 501-2450
eschoen@CassavaSciences.com
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