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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 28, 2011
AMICUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Delaware   001-33497   71-0869350
         
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
6 Cedar Brook Drive,
Cranbury, NJ
   
08512
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (609) 662-2000
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 


 

Item 5.02.  
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On June 28, 2011, Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that John F. Crowley will return full-time as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective August 15, 2011 (the “Effective Date”). Matthew R. Patterson will remain in his current role as President and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Company until the Effective Date at which time he will continue as President. A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Crowley’s appointment to Chief Executive Officer is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Mr. Crowley has served as Executive Chairman of the Company since April 2011, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from February 2010 to April 2011, and Chief Executive Officer from January 2005, and has also served as a director of Amicus since August 2004, with the exception of the period from September 2006 to March 2007 when he was not an officer or director of Amicus while he was in active duty service in the United States Navy (Reserve). Mr. Crowley was President and Chief Executive Officer of Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. from September 2003 to December 2004. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Novazyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc., from March 2000 until that company was acquired by Genzyme Corporation in September 2001; thereafter he served as Senior Vice President of Genzyme Therapeutics until December 2002. Mr. Crowley received a B.S. degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Crowley Employment Agreement
In connection with Mr. Crowley’s appointment to Chief Executive Officer, the Company and Mr. Crowley entered into a new employment agreement dated June 28, 2011 (the “Current Employment Agreement”). The Current Employment Agreement replaced Mr. Crowley’s prior employment agreement dated April 18, 2011 (the “April 2011 Agreement”) pursuant to which he serves as Executive Chairman. The Current Employment Agreement is substantially similar to the employment agreement dated December 17, 2010 (the “December 2010 Agreement) under which Mr. Crowley previously served as Chief Executive Officer. Notably, Mr. Crowley’s base salary, bonus, severance and benefits under the Employment Agreement are the same as provided under the December 2010 Agreement.
The Current Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Crowley will receive a base salary of $545,000 and a target annual bonus award of 60% of base salary. As under the December 2010 Agreement and April 2011 Agreement, the Company will make monthly payments of $150,000 to Mr. Crowley to help defray the substantial medical expenses (the “Monthly Medical Payments”) incurred by Mr. Crowley and his family that are not covered by the Company’s group health plan. The Current Employment Agreement provides that if the medical expenses actually incurred by Mr. Crowley and his family during any year are less than the total Monthly Medical Payments paid by the Company during such year (less expected taxes), Mr. Crowley will pay the Company the difference. The Current Employment Agreement will continue for successive one-year terms until either Mr. Crowley or the Company provides written notice of termination to the other in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Upon the termination of Mr. Crowley’s employment by us other than for cause, or if the Company decides not to extend the Current Employment Agreement at the end of any term, or if Mr. Crowley resigns for good reason, Mr. Crowley has the right to receive (i) a severance payment in an amount equal to his then current base salary payable over 18 months in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, (ii) an additional payment equal to 150% of the target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs, (iii) continuation of the Monthly Medical Payments for 18 months, and (iv) continuation of health care coverage under COBRA with premiums to be subsidized by the Company for up to 18 months. Further, the vesting of all options then held by Mr. Crowley shall accelerate by one year. Mr. Crowley is not entitled to severance payments if we terminate him for cause or if he resigns without good reason.
Further, upon the termination of Mr. Crowley’s employment by us other than for cause, or if the Company decides not to extend the Current Employment Agreement at the end of any term, or if Mr. Crowley resigns for good reason, in each case within 3 months prior to, or 12 months following a change of control in the Company, then Mr. Crowley has the right to receive (i) a severance payment in an amount equal to two times his then current base salary payable over 24 months in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, (ii) an additional payment equal to 200% of the target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs, (iii) continuation of the Monthly Medical Payments for 24 months, and (iv) continuation of health care coverage under COBRA with premiums to be subsidized by the Company for up to 18 months. Further, the vesting of all remaining unvested stock options then held by Mr. Crowley would accelerate in full.

 

 


 

Finally, if Mr. Crowley’s employment ceases due to his death or disability, he (or his estate, as applicable) will be entitled to (i) continuation of the Monthly Medical Payments for 12 months, and (ii) continuation of health care coverage under COBRA with premiums to be subsidized by the Company for up to 12 months.
A copy of the Current Employment Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01.  
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits: The Exhibit Index annexed hereto is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
                 
    AMICUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.    
 
               
Date: June 30, 2011   By:   /s/ GEOFFREY P. GILMORE    
             
 
      Name:   Geoffrey P. Gilmore    
 
      Title:   Senior Vice President and General Counsel    

 

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit No.   Description
  10.1    
Employment Agreement dated June 28, 2011 between Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. and John F. Crowley
       
 
  99.1    
Press release dated June 29, 2011

 

 

exv10w1
Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 28, 2011, between AMICUS THERAPEUTICS, INC., a Delaware corporation having an office at 6 Cedar Brook Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512 (the “Company”), and JOHN F. CROWLEY, an individual residing at 15 Leonard Court, Princeton, NJ 08540 (“Employee”).
PREAMBLE
WHEREAS, the Employee presently serves as the Executive Chairman of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ the Employee as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and the Employee wishes to serve as the Chief Executive Officer;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
Cause” means for any of the following reasons: (i) willful or deliberate misconduct by Employee that materially damages the Company; (ii) misappropriation of Company assets; (in) Employee’s conviction of or a plea of guilty or “no contest” to, a felony; or (iv) any willful disobedience of the lawful and unambiguous instructions of the Board of Directors of the Company; provided that the Board of Directors has given Employee thirty (30) days written notice of such disobedience or neglect and Employee has failed to cure such cause. For avoidance of doubt, a termination of Employee’s employment hereunder due to Employee’s Disability (as defined below) will not constitute a termination without Cause.
Change in Control Event” means any of the following (i) any person or entity (except for a current stockholder who was a stockholder prior to the Company’s initial public offering) becomes the beneficial owner of greater than 50% of the then outstanding voting power of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation with another entity where the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately before the transaction constitute less than a majority of the voting power of the voting securities of the Company or the surviving entity outstanding immediately after the transaction, or (iii) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.
Good Reason” means (i) a material diminution in Employee’s authority, duties, or responsibilities from those set forth in this Amended Agreement, or (ii) a material change in the geographic location at which the Employee must perform the services, in each case without the Employee’s consent. The Employee must provide the Company with notice of the Good Reason condition within ninety (90) days of its initial existence, the Company shall have a period of thirty (30) days within which it may remedy the condition and not be required to pay the severance payment, and any Good Reason termination must occur within two (2) years of the initial existence of the Good Reason condition.

 

 


 

Section 2. Employment.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Employee is hereby employed by the Company to serve as its Chief Executive Officer, commencing August 15, 2011. Employee accepts such employment, and agrees to discharge all of the duties normally associated with said positions, to faithfully and to the best of his abilities perform such other services consistent with his position as a senior executive officer as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors of the Company and to devote all of his business time, skill and attention to such services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, Employee may serve on the boards of directors of other companies, and in civic, cultural, philanthropic and professional organizations so long as such service does not detract from the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder, such determination to be made by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. Employee may continue service as an officer, U.S. Navy Reserve, and any periods of active duty service shall not result in any reduction in compensation or benefits payable to Employee under Section 3 of this Amended Agreement. At all times during which Employee remains Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Employee shall serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and, at the request of the Company’s Board of Directors, as an officer or director of any Company affiliate, in each case without additional remuneration therefor.
Section 3. Compensation and Benefits.
3.1 Base Salary. During the Employment Term (as defined in Section 4 hereof), the Company shall pay Employee a salary at the annual rate of $545,000 or such greater amount as the Company’s Board of Directors may from time to time establish pursuant to the terms hereof (the “Base Salary”). Such Base Salary shall be reviewed annually and may be increased, but not decreased, by the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion. The Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for its senior management personnel.
3.2 Bonus. During the Employment Term, Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s bonus programs in effect with respect to senior management personnel. Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual target bonus of up to 60% of the Base Salary in cash (the “Bonus”). Any Bonus payment to which Employee becomes entitled hereunder shall be paid to Employee in a lump sum on or before the 15th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year in which the Bonus was earned.
3.3 Benefits
(a) Benefit Plans. During the Employment Term, Employee may participate, on the same basis and subject to the same qualifications as other senior management personnel of the Company, in any benefit plans (including health and medical insurance of Employee, Employee’s spouse and Employee’s dependents) and policies in effect with respect to senior management personnel of the Company, including any stock option plan.

 

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(b) Reimbursement of Expenses. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay or promptly reimburse Employee, upon submission of proper invoices in accordance with the Company’s normal procedures, for all reasonable out-of-pocket business, entertainment and travel expenses incurred by Employee in the performance of his duties hereunder. Any taxable reimbursement of business or other expenses as specified under this Amended Agreement shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) the expenses eligible for reimbursement in one taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other taxable year; (2) the reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made no later than the end of the calendar year after the year in which such expense was incurred; and (3) the right to reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
(c) Special Medical Expense Allowance. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay to Employee a special bonus of $150,000 per month. This amount is intended to help defray the substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses expected to be incurred by Employee, Employee’s spouse and Employee’s dependents from and after January 1, 2011 ( “Medical Expenses”). This amount shall be paid to Employee on the first day of each calendar month with respect to that calendar month and will be subject to tax withholding when paid. Within fifteen (15) days after the end of each calendar quarter, the Employee shall submit receipts evidencing the Medical Expenses incurred during that calendar quarter to an auditing firm to be selected by the Company in its sole discretion (the “Auditors”). The Auditors shall review such receipts to determine whether the Medical Expenses meet the definition of “medical expenses” pursuant to the then applicable U.S. Treasury regulations (“Allowable Expenses”) and provide the Company and the Employee with a report detailing its conclusions (the “Auditors’ Report”) within forty-five (45) days of the end of such quarter. The Auditors’ shall provide the Company and the Employee with an Auditors’ Report relating to the previously-ended calendar year (“Year-End Auditors’ Report”) by March 1, which report will detail the Allowable Expenses for that year. All reports of the Auditors shall be delivered to the Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer. If the Allowable Expenses for the year are less than the amounts paid by the Company for that year under this paragraph (net of taxes paid in respect of such amounts, which for this purpose will be deemed to equal 46% of such amounts), then Employee will reimburse such difference to the Company within thirty (30) days following the date of the Year-End Auditors’ Report.
(d) Vacation. During the Employment Term, Employee shall be entitled to up to four (4) weeks of vacation in accordance with the policies of the Company applicable to senior management personnel from time to time.
(e) Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from amounts payable or benefits accorded to Employee under this Agreement all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes, as and in such amounts as may be required by applicable law.
Section 4. Employment Term. The term of this Agreement (the “Employment Term”) shall begin on August 15, 2011 and end on the close of business on August 15, 2012. The Employment Term shall be automatically extended for additional one-year periods (each a “Renewal Period”) unless, at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the expiration of the Employment Term, Employee notifies the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors notifies Employee that the notifying party does not wish to extend such Employment Term. Employee’s employment hereunder shall be coterminous with the Employment Term, unless sooner terminated as provided in Section 5.

 

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Section 5. Termination; Severance Benefits.
5.1 Generally. Either the Board of Directors of the Company or Employee may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder, for any reason, at any time prior to the expiration of the Employment Term, upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other party. Upon termination of Employee’s employment hereunder for any reason, Employee shall be deemed simultaneously to have resigned as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and from any other position or office he may at the time hold with the Company or any of its affiliates. In addition, upon termination of Employee’s employment hereunder for any reason, including without limitation expiration of the Employment Term, the Company shall (i) reimburse the Employee for any expenses properly incurred under Section 3.3 (b) and which have not previously been reimbursed as of the effective date of the termination, (ii) pay Employee for any accrued, but unused, vacation time as of the effective date of the termination, and (iii) pay Employee for any accrued and unpaid Base Salary through and including the effective date of termination (collectively, the “Accrued Compensation”). The Accrued Compensation will be paid in a lump sum on the first regularly scheduled payroll date following the effective date of the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company.
5.2 Termination by Employee.
(a) No Reason. If, prior to the expiration of the Employment Term, Employee voluntarily resigns from his employment, other than for Good Reason, Employee shall (i) receive no further Base Salary or Bonus hereunder, other than the Accrued Compensation, and (ii) cease to be covered under or be permitted to participate in or receive any of the benefits described in Section 3.3 hereof.
(b) Good Reason. If, prior to the expiration of the Employment Term, a condition occurs which constitutes Good Reason and after Employee has complied with the applicable notice period and the Company has failed to remedy such condition, Employee actually resigns (all as described in detail in the definition of “Good Reason” in Section 1), Employee shall be entitled to receive, subject to Sections 5.6 and 5.7(b) below, an amount equal to Employee’s then current Base Salary, payable over 18 months, commencing upon the effective date of the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices then in effect for its senior management personnel (the “Severance Payment”), plus an amount equal to 1.5 (one and one-half) times the target Bonus for the year in which such termination occurs (such amount being payable in a lump sum on the effective date of the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company). In addition, the vesting of stock options held by Employee immediately prior to such termination (“Options”) shall accelerate such that the portion of those options that was otherwise scheduled to vest during the 12 month period immediately following such termination (had Employee remained employed with the Company for that period) will become vested as of the date of such termination. Further, if Employee elects COBRA continuation of his insured group health benefits, the Company will contribute an amount toward the monthly cost of such coverage equal to the Company’s share of the monthly premiums (at the time of termination) for active employees for a period of 18 months (or, if less, for the duration of such COBRA continuation). Finally, the special medical expense allowance arrangement described in Section 3.3(c) will be continued for 18 months following Employee’s termination date.

 

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5.3 Termination by the Company.
(a) Without Cause. If, prior to the expiration of the Employment Term, the Company terminates Employee’s employment hereunder without Cause or if the Board of Directors of the Company gives written notice pursuant to Section 4 hereof notifying Employee that the Board of Directors does not wish to extend the Employment Term, then subject to Sections 5.6 and 5.7(b) below, Employee will be entitled to the same payments, rights and benefits described above in Section 5.2(b).
(b) For Cause. If, prior to the expiration of the Employment Term, the Company terminates Employee’s employment hereunder for Cause, Employee shall (i) receive no further Base Salary or Bonus hereunder, other than Accrued Compensation, and (ii) cease to be covered under or be permitted to participate in or receive any of the benefits described in Section 3.3 hereof; provided, however, that if Employee is terminated for Cause hereunder solely as a result of being convicted of a felony, which conviction is ultimately reversed on appeal or pardoned, Employee shall be deemed to have been terminated without Cause as of the date of such termination for Cause.
5.4 Termination in Connection with a Change in Control Event. If, prior to the expiration of the Employment Term, (i) a condition occurs which constitutes Good Reason and after Employee has complied with the applicable notice period and the Company has failed to remedy such condition, Employee actually resigns (all as described in detail in the definition of “Good Reason” in Section 1), (ii) the Company terminates Employee’s employment hereunder without Cause, or (iii) if the Board of Directors of the Company gives written notice pursuant to Section 4 hereof notifying Employee that the Board of Directors does not wish to extend the Employment Term, in each case within: (a) three (3) months prior to, or (b) 12 months following, the occurrence of a Change in Control Event, then in lieu of any other payments, rights or benefits under Section 5.2(b) or 5.3(a), as applicable, Employee will be entitled to receive an amount equal to two (2.0) times Employee’s then current Base Salary, payable over 24 months, commencing upon the effective date of the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for its senior management personnel (the “Change in Control Severance Payment”), plus an amount equal to two (2.0) times the target Bonus for the year in which such resignation or termination occurs (such amount being payable in a lump sum on such effective date of termination). In addition, the Options and any restricted stock grants held by Employee immediately prior to his termination shall vest in full. Further, if Employee elects COBRA continuation of his insured group health benefits, the Company will contribute an amount toward the monthly cost of such coverage equal to the Company’s share of the monthly premiums (at the time of termination) for active employees for a period of 18 months (or, if less, for the duration of such COBRA continuation). Finally, the special medical expense allowance arrangement described in Section 3.3(c) will be continued for 24 months following Employee’s termination date. All payments made under this section shall be subject to Sections 5.6 and 5.7(b) below.

 

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5.5 Termination upon Death or Disability. Employee’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon death of Employee. The Company may terminate Employee’s employment hereunder in the event Employee is disabled and such disability continues for more than 180 days. “Disability” shall be defined as the inability of Employee to render the services required of him, with or without a reasonable accommodation, under this Amended Agreement as a result of physical or mental incapacity. In the event of death or termination by the Company due to disability of Employee, the special medical expense allowance arrangement described in Section 3.3(c) will be continued for 12 months following Employee’s termination date. In addition, if Employee elects COBRA continuation of his insured group health benefits, the Company will contribute an amount toward the monthly cost of such coverage equal to the Company’s share of the monthly premiums (at the time of termination) for active employees for a period of 12 months (or, if less, for the duration of such COBRA continuation).
5.6 Release Required. As a condition precedent to the receipt of any right, payment or benefit under Sections 5.2(b), 5.3(a) and/or 5.4, Employee must execute and deliver to the Company a release, the form and substance of which are acceptable to the Company, and such release must become irrevocable, within 45 days following the effective date of termination of Employee’s employment. Any such right, payment or benefit that would otherwise be paid before such release becomes irrevocable will instead be delayed and paid to Employee in a lump sum within 15 days after such release becomes irrevocable (and the remaining payments will be made as otherwise scheduled in the ordinary course). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the 60 day period immediately following the effective date of termination of Employee’s employment overlaps two calendar years, then any such right, payment or benefit that would otherwise be paid before the later of (i) the date such release becomes irrevocable, or (ii) the last day of the year in which such termination occurs (such later date, the “Applicable Date”) will instead be delayed and paid to Employee in a lump sum on the first regularly scheduled payroll date following the Applicable Date (and the remaining payments will be made as otherwise scheduled in the ordinary course). If the release has not become irrevocable within 45 days following the effective date of the termination of Employee’s employment, Employee will forfeit any right, payment or benefit otherwise due under Section 5.2(b), 5.3(a) or 5.4, as applicable.
5.7 Section 409A.
(a) Purpose. This section is intended to help ensure that compensation paid or delivered to the Employee pursuant to this Agreement either is paid in compliance with, or is exempt from, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, “Section 409A”). However, the Company does not warrant to the Employee that all compensation paid or delivered to him for his services will be exempt from, or paid in compliance with, Section 409A.

 

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(b) Amounts Payable On Account of Termination. For the purposes of determining when amounts otherwise payable on account of the Employee’s termination of employment under this Amended Agreement will be paid, which amounts become due because of his termination of employment, “termination of employment” or words of similar import, as used in this Amended Agreement, shall be construed as the date that the Employee first incurs a “separation from service” for purposes of Section 409A on or following termination of employment. Furthermore, if the Employee is a “specified employee” of a public company as determined pursuant to Section 409A as of his termination of employment, any amounts payable on account of his termination of employment which constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A and which are otherwise payable during the first six months following the Employee’s termination (or prior to his death after termination) shall be paid to the Employee in a cash lump-sum on the earlier of (1) the date of his death and (2) the first business day of the seventh calendar month immediately following the month in which his termination occurs.
(c) Interpretative Rules. In applying Section 409A to amounts paid pursuant to this Agreement, any right to a series of installment payments under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
(d) Deferred Compensation Taxes. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit under this Agreement received or to be received by the Employee (the “Payment”) is determined to be subject (in whole or part) to the penalties imposed by Section 409A of the Code (the “Additional Taxes”), then the Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Employee of the Additional Taxes, the Employee retains an amount equal to the Payment net of any applicable taxes and withholdings other than Additional Taxes. All determinations required to be made under this provision, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by the Company’s accountants or such other certified public accounting firm designated by the Employee and reasonably acceptable to the Company. Any certified public accounting firm chosen by the Employee shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Employee. Any Gross-Up Payment due under this paragraph shall be paid to the Employee no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Employee remits the Additional Taxes to the applicable authorities.
5.8 No Reduction of COBRA Rights. For avoidance of doubt, the Company’s payment under Sections 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4 of applicable premiums for COBRA continuation coverage for Employee and/or his eligible dependents will not limit or reduce the otherwise applicable duration of such COBRA continuation coverage. For example, if Employee is eligible for 29 months of continuation coverage under COBRA and the Company, in accordance with Section 5.4, pays a portion of the applicable premiums for the first 18 months of such coverage, Employee will remain eligible for the remaining 11 months of continuation coverage to the extent provided by applicable law and will be solely responsible for paying the applicable premiums for such remaining period of coverage.

 

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Section 6. Federal Excise Tax.
6.1 General Rule. Employee’s payments and benefits under this Agreement and all other arrangements or programs related thereto shall not, in the aggregate, exceed the maximum amount that may be paid to Employee without triggering golden parachute penalties under Section 280G of the Code, and the provisions related thereto with respect to such payments. If Employee’s benefits must be cut back to avoid triggering such penalties, Employee’s benefits will be cut back in the order that maximizes Employee’s net after-tax economic position, as reasonably determined by the Company. If an amount in excess of the limit set forth in this Section is paid to Employee, Employee must repay the excess amount to the Company upon demand, with interest at the rate provided in Code Section 1274(b)(2)(B). Employee and the Company agree to cooperate with each other reasonably in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings concerning the existence or amount of golden parachute penalties on payments or benefits Employee receives.
6.2 Exception. Section 6.1 shall apply only if it increases the net amount Employee would realize from payments and benefits subject to Section 6.1, after payment of income and excise taxes by Employee on such payments and benefits.
6.3 Determinations. The determination of whether the golden parachute penalties under Code Section 280G and the provisions related thereto shall be made by counsel chosen by Employee and reasonably acceptable to the Company. All other determinations needed to apply this Section 6 shall be made in good faith by the Company’s independent auditors.
Section 7. General.
7.1 Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement. Employee and the Company hereby ratify and re-affirm that certain Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement dated January 26, 2005 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”).
7.2 No Conflict. Employee represents and warrants that he has not entered, nor will he enter, into any other agreements that restrict his ability to fulfill his obligations under this Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement.
7.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to the conflicts of law rules thereof.
7.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon Employee, his legal representatives, heirs and distributees and upon the Company, its successors and assigns regardless of any change in the business structure of the Company.
7.5 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assigned or delegated by any party without the prior written consent of the other party.
7.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No waiver, modification or change of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by both parties. For avoidance of doubt, this Agreement supersedes in all respects the Employment Agreement between the parties dated April 18, 2011, including but not limited to Section 3.4 thereof.

 

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7.7 Waiver. The waiver of any breach of any duty, term or condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other duty, term or condition of this Agreement.
7.8 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be unenforceable in any jurisdiction in accordance with its terms, the provision shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted in that jurisdiction and shall continue to be enforceable in accordance with its terms in any other jurisdiction and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.
7.9 Conflicting Agreements. In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and any other agreement between Employee and the Company, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall control.
7.10 Resolution of Disputes. Any claim or controversy arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement, other than with respect to the Confidentiality Agreement, between Employee and the Company (or any officer, director, employee or agent of the Company), or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration administrated by the American Arbitration Association under its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes. Such arbitration shall be held in New Jersey (or in such other location as the Company may at the time be headquartered). The arbitration shall be conducted before a three-member panel. Within fifteen (15) days after the commencement of arbitration, each party shall select one person to act as arbitrator and the two selected shall select a third arbitrator within ten (10) days of their appointment.
If the arbitrators selected by the parties are unable or fail to agree upon the third arbitrator, the third arbitrator shall be selected by the American Arbitration Association and shall be a member of the bar of the State of New Jersey actively engaged in the practice of employment law for at least ten years. The arbitration panel shall apply the substantive laws of the State of New Jersey in connection with the arbitration and the New Jersey Rules of Evidence shall apply to all aspects of the arbitration. The award shall be made within thirty days of the closing of the hearing. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators(s) may be entered by any Court having jurisdiction thereof.
7.11 Notices. All notices pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested or by recognized air courier service addressed as follows:
  (i)   If to the Company to:
Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.
6 Cedar Brook Drive
Cranbury, New Jersey 08512
  (ii)   If to Employee to:
John F. Crowley
15 Leonard Court
Princeton, New Jersey 08540

 

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or to such other addresses as may hereinafter be specified by notice in writing by either of the parties, and shall be deemed given three (3) business days after the date so mailed or sent.
7.12 Compliance. If reasonably requested in writing, Employee agrees within fifteen business days to provide the Company with an executed IRS Form 4669 (Statement of Payments Received) with respect to any taxable amount paid to Employee by the Company.
7.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall together constitute one and the same agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.
                 
    /s/ John F. Crowley    
         
    JOHN F. CROWLEY    
 
               
    AMICUS THERAPEUTICS, INC.    
 
               
    By:   /s/ Donald J. Hayden, Jr.    
             
 
      Name:   Donald J. Hayden, Jr.    
 
      Title:   Lead Independent Director    

 

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exv99w1
Exhibit 99.1
(AMICUS LOGO)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Amicus Therapeutics Announces John F. Crowley
to Return as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Cranbury, NJ, June 29, 2011 — Amicus Therapeutics (Nasdaq: FOLD) today announced that its Executive Chairman John F. Crowley will return full-time as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 15, 2011, following his completion of temporary active duty with the United States Navy Reserve. Mr. Crowley previously led the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2005 through February, 2010, and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until April 2011.
“Amicus continues to represent one of the most extraordinary opportunities in the biotechnology industry today, and I am honored to have the Board’s confidence to lead the Company again as CEO,” said Mr. Crowley. “The Company’s mission to advance highly innovative technologies and treatments for people living with rare diseases is both a personal and professional passion. I am firmly committed to guiding the long-term advancement of Amicus as we continue to develop our robust pipeline and expand our pharmacological chaperone technology. Over the past six a half years, I have also been particularly appreciative of Matt Patterson for his strong leadership and dedication to the Company. Under his exceptional stewardship as President and Acting CEO, Amicus is in a stronger position to achieve multiple upcoming milestones, and Matt has provided the foundation for much of our future success.” Mr. Patterson will remain Acting CEO until August 15, 2011 at which time he will continue as Amicus’ President.
Mr. Crowley is a veteran of the healthcare industry and an active member of several organizations within the industry and the rare disease community. Prior to joining Amicus, he served as Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Orexigen Therapeutics. Preceding Orexigen, he became Senior Vice President at Genzyme Therapeutics in 2001 following its acquisition of Novazyme Pharmaceuticals. As the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Novazyme, he oversaw the development of the first enzyme replacement therapy for Pompe disease and the sale of the Company to Genzyme.
Mr. Crowley has been involved in the biotechnology industry since 1998, when two of his children were diagnosed with Pompe disease. Earlier in his career he held several senior management roles with the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) and as a business strategy consultant for Marakon Associates. He began his professional career as a litigation associate in the Health Care Practice Group of the Indianapolis-based law firm of Bingham, Summers, Welsh & Spilman.
Mr. Crowley is an active commissioned officer in the United States Navy Reserve, assigned to the U.S. Special Operations Command. He earned his B.S. degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

 

 


 

About Amicus Therapeutics
Amicus Therapeutics (Nasdaq: FOLD) is a biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of developing therapies for rare diseases. The Company is developing orally-administered, small molecule drugs called pharmacological chaperones, a novel, first-in-class approach to treating a broad range of diseases including lysosomal storage disorders and diseases of neurodegeneration. Amicus’ lead program Amigal™ (migalastat HCl) is in Phase 3 for the treatment of Fabry disease.
CONTACT:
Amicus Therapeutics
Sara Pellegrino
(609) 662-5044
spellegrino@amicustherapeutics.com
FOLD-G